Bloomington Parks and Rec opens O’Neil renovations for discussion

Posted on July 9, 2017
Bloomington Parks Director Jay Tetzloff wants the pools at O’Neil Park to be renovated as part of the Parks and Rec Department’s master plan. (WJBC File Photo)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – As far as fixer-uppers go, O’Neil Park in Bloomington is a challenge, but not an impossibility.

Part of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s master plan, the renovation of O’Neil Park is a priority for the department. Bloomington Parks Director Jay Tetzloff explained the pools are a major factor in the renovation, as the kiddy pools was unable to be opened this year. He said he envisions the pool being designed to allow for any future additions.

“What I want to do is be able to have it set up so where we could add to it every few years,” said Tetzloff. “So if we do one slide, I want to design it so we can have room for two more slides when there’s funding available.”

“We will move things around in order to make room,” Tetzloff explained. The skate park that’s nearby will probably be relocated in the park. There is a tennis courts that aren’t utilized as much – there’s three there – maybe we get by with one, maybe we get by with two.”

Tetzloff also discussed the laws surrounding smoking in parks. Currently, people can smoke in any of the parks (including pools and the zoo) as long as they are 15 feet away from a door. Tetzloff said he wants to open the rules for discussion; he wants to be accommodating to smokers while decreasing the risk of children inhaling secondhand smoke.

“If you are a smoker and you need to have a cigarette, great, we just ask that you step back from the playground or the sprayground or a fixed seating. Have your cigarette and then go back and have fun with your kids like we want everyone to do,” Tetzloff said.

Tetzloff added there are three public meetings scheduled where the master plan will be discussed: Tuesday, July 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sheridan Elementary will outline the plan for O’Neil Park, Thursday, July 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Park Pavilion will concern the master plan overall, and Thursday, August 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Miller Park Pavilion will go over plans for the Rec Center.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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