Parks and Recreation Enhances Kirkwood Avenue with New Trees This Fall

The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is continuing its commitment to a greener, more sustainable downtown by planting new native trees along Kirkwood Avenue this fall. The project includes converting 14 landscape planters currently filled with native plants and flowers into tree plots, as well as replacing five existing trees that are missing or no longer healthy.

The Board of Park Commissioners at their Sept. 25 regular meeting approved a contract for $8,500 with Davey Tree Expert Company to remove and replace five existing trees, and to plant an additional 15 trees around the downtown square and along Kirkwood Avenue. 

More than 90 planters throughout downtown Bloomington are maintained by Parks and Recreation. In recent years, the department has emphasized planting native species such as coneflowers, bergamot, and milkweed, which provide important habitat for pollinators while requiring less water and maintenance than traditional annual flowers. However, in some locations, the tall growth of native plants created visibility challenges and prompted concerns about appearance and upkeep. By reimagining some of these planters as tree plots, Parks and Recreation is balancing beauty, function, and sustainability in the heart of the city.

The project builds on the success of the Kirkwood Pedestrian Season, which transforms Kirkwood Avenue into a walkable space for outdoor dining, music, and community events. Planters and greenery are a vital part of this atmosphere, defining pedestrian areas and creating a welcoming, vibrant streetscape.

Earlier this year, the department also partnered with Nature’s Way, Inc. to re-plant and maintain planters on the Courthouse Square through a $150,000 project funded by the Department of Public Works. That effort included replacing soil, mulch, and plant material with a mix of native perennials, bulbs, and annual flowers designed to thrive year-round.

Adding new trees downtown will bring even more long-term benefits. Trees provide cooling shade, improve air quality, and help reduce the “heat island” effect created by pavement and rooftops. They also add to the beauty and character of Kirkwood Avenue while making downtown a more comfortable place to gather.

Parks and Recreation staff, who care for thousands of trees and green spaces across the city, remain dedicated to improving Bloomington’s urban canopy. This project reflects the department’s ongoing goal to create healthy, attractive, and sustainable landscapes that serve both people and the environment.