Mayor John Hamilton announced today that Tim Street will serve as Interim Director of the Parks and Recreation Department effective October 17, succeeding current Director Paula McDevitt, who is retiring effective October 16.

Tim Street has served as Director of the Operations and Development Division of the Parks and Recreation Department since January 2021. He previously served as Associate Director at Indiana University’s Bradford Woods outdoor education center. He continues to work as an instructor and backcountry leader with IU Outdoor Adventures. Steet holds professional certifications as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. He earned his bachelor of arts and masters of public affairs degrees from IU. Street will earn an annual salary of $89,007.

“Tim Street has done an outstanding job leading the department’s Operations and Development Division over the past nearly three years,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “I am very pleased that Tim has agreed to step in and lead our award-winning Parks and Recreation Department. I am confident he and all the experienced and dedicated members of the department will continue their excellent service to our residents and visitors.”  ​

The City of Bloomington trick-or-treat hours for 2023 have been set for Tuesday, October 31 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., rain or shine.  

Please consider these Halloween tips to help keep children and families safe:

• Trick-or-treat during designated hours and only go to those homes that have a light on to welcome trick-or-treaters.
• Carry a flashlight to light the way on streets and sidewalks. A flashlight or glow sticks will also help illuminate children for motor vehicles.
• Dress your children in, or bring along, some type of reflective material for dusk and later trick-or-treating. A reflective jacket works well, as do reflecting trick-or-treat bags. Sunset will be at 6:46 p.m. on Halloween.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Put electronic devices such as cell phones down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run.
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If children are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well-lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Make sure that costumes do not cause a safety hazard for children by being too long or including masks that affect their ability to see clearly.  Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks.
• Homeowners should make sure that pets are secured so they do not become frightened by costumed children or activity that is out of the ordinary.
• Children should be instructed to NEVER enter the home of someone they do not know and to remain on the porch to receive their treats.
• Any observed suspicious activity or tainted candy should be reported to police immediately.
• Children should be instructed to not eat candy until it has been inspected by an adult.
• Drive slowly, anticipate pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential areas. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians and on curbs and behind landscaping.
• If you celebrate Halloween, enjoy the holiday!

The City of Bloomington is proud to announce the opening of the 2023 Local-Motion Grant Program application cycle. Aimed at advancing pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the city, this program will provide direct support to initiatives that focus on local activities to foster a diverse and vibrant walking and bicycling culture.

As a community that values sustainable transportation options, the City of Bloomington and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission believe that creating a walk- and bicycle-friendly environment goes beyond infrastructure development. It involves encouraging and educating the community about the benefits of active transportation modes.

Program Guidelines
Organizations wishing to apply, may submit one project application per annual grant cycle. Grant awards are available with a maximum cap of $2,400 per project application. The program welcomes applications from existing or emerging non-profit organizations, locally owned businesses, and neighborhood associations with innovative projects that promote walking and bicycling.

Please find detailed guidelines here.

Apply Now
The application window for 2023 is now open. Interested parties are encouraged to review the program information before applying. The application deadline is November 3, 2023.

Please reach out to Hank Duncan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.