BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington’s newest green space, Hopewell Commons, located at 332 W. University St., will officially open to the public on Wednesday, April 23, with a grand opening celebration offering fun for all ages.
The one-acre park, situated just west of the popular B-Line Trail and the Seminary Square Kroger, is a central element of the ambitious Hopewell neighborhood development project. This initiative is transforming the former IU Health hospital site into a dynamic, mixed-use community.
The grand opening festivities are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. with the lively sounds of the Sam Finley Four taking the stage at Hopewell Commons. For those looking to get active, the Parks and Recreation department will have pickleball paddles and balls available for use on the park’s new, temporary pickleball courts, as well as ping pong paddles for the concrete tables.
A formal ceremony will begin at 4:15 p.m., with introductions by Eric Spoonmore, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and Tim Street, Parks and Recreation Administrator. Attendees will also hear remarks from Mayor Kerry Thomson, Milestone Assistant General Superintendent Thomas Gott, and representatives from the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission and the Economic and Sustainable Development Department.
The celebration will continue until 6:00 p.m., featuring more live music from Matixando, a selection of food trucks offering delicious food, a refreshing beer garden, and ample opportunities for the community to explore and enjoy the brand-new park’s many features. Residents are encouraged to come out and celebrate the arrival of Hopewell Commons, a key addition to the city’s growing landscape.
