Former “Goat Farm” park to be dedicated as Rogers Family Park
Members of the Bloomington Parks Foundation, together with staff from the City of Bloomington, will gather at the former Goat Farm Park, 2000 E. Winslow Rd., at 3pm on August 4th for a public ceremony to officially rename the park “Rogers Family Park” in honor of the family whose donation of land and funds made the park possible.
The ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will be held at the barn at Rogers Family Park. Guest speakers include Mayor John Hamilton, Bloomington Parks Foundation President David Skirvin, Board of Park Commissioners President Kathleen Mills, artist Jonathan Racek, and Sherman Rogers. The public is welcome and invited to attend; parking is available at nearby Sherwood Oaks Park, 1600 E. Elliston Dr., and Olcott Park, 2300 E. Canada Dr.
More than $966,000 in park enhancements have been completed in the past year, following a year-long design process that included two separate public meetings and opportunities for online feedback. The final design retained the park’s existing focus as a quiet, natural space.
A paved loop trail was completed around the perimeter of the park and through the native prairie areas. Funding provided by the Rogers family also allowed the expansion of native prairie plantings, the construction of a shade pergola, and the addition of 10 parking spots on the north side of the park. Exterior roof and siding repairs were made to the signature red barn at the park, and the existing silo was repainted.
Parks & Recreation also coordinated with the Bloomington Arts Commission to select and install a public art piece: “FLEET/ing” by local artist Jonathan Racek.
Community members invited to Hopewell Neighborhood groundbreaking
Mayor John Hamilton, the Redevelopment Commission (RDC), and City of Bloomington Capital Improvement Board (CBCI) invite community members to attend a groundbreaking for the new neighborhood of Hopewell. This investment will set the stage for a new inclusive Bloomington neighborhood where people from all walks of life and all ages, incomes, abilities, and backgrounds can thrive. The groundbreaking will take place on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 3:30pm on E 2nd St between S Rogers St and S Morton St. Free parking is available nearby. Please refer to the image for location and parking information. For more information, please contact Angela Van Rooy, Interim Communications Director, Office of the Mayor at angela.vanrooy@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3505.
Ivy Tech offering English for Speakers of Other Languages classes
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is offering English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses this fall. Classes will be held for 8-weeks, beginning August 21 and October 23. Students can attend either in-person or online via Zoom. ESOL courses are scheduled in the evenings and will be held once per week on Mondays from 6-9pm.
ESOL classes are for individuals who did not grow up speaking English as their first language and wish to improve their English speaking, listening, and writing skills. They are designed to prepare students to take college-level courses, but they can help anyone who wants to improve their English language skills. All ESOL classes are entirely in English and students will need basic skills to participate.
To register and for more information, call admissions at 812-330-6013 or email askBloomington@ivytech.edu.
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2016 – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announces Indiana governor Mike Pence as his Vice Presidential running mate.
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