City Fourth of July Parade Information

Neighbors,

I received the email, below, about the City of Bloomington's plans for the annual Fourth of July Parade. As far as I know, Sycamore Knolls has never had an entry in the parade. If you are interested in putting together some sort of entry for our neighborhood, please contact Sarah Nix at the phone number listed below.

And, of course, we'll also plan to have our own Sycamore Knolls Fourth of July Parade. It traditionally starts at the corner of Rock Creek and Montclair, and comes up Montclair to the Park, where we have some light refreshments and, perhaps, some entertainment.

If you'd like to help out with our neighborhood parade this year, please contact me at [robert_terrill @ comcast.net].

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The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation has again teamed up with Downtown Bloomington, Inc. and Indiana University for the 2009 Bloomington Fourth of July Parade. The theme of the parade this year is "Get Active, Bloomington". Join forces with other community members and get active showing your community spirit. Show us how you get active. Please keep in mind the changes we have made to the parade.

· The parade will start at 10:00 am.

· The route will start at the corner 7th St. and Indiana Ave. Down 7th street, turning left on college. From college turning left on to Kirkwood Ave. Ending at Kirkwood and Indiana Ave. A detailed map will come in your packet at packet pick-up.

· All applications and entry fees will be taken through the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

· Applications are due Monday, June 15th. No on-site registrations will be allowed. No exceptions.

· Parade packets must be picked up on Thursday, June 25th in the Parks and Recreation Office, Suite 250 inside the Showers Building, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. You must have your parade packet prior to check-in on the day of the parade.

· Check-in the morning of the parade will be from 7:00 am – 8:45am and all participants must be in their assigned holding spot by 9:00 am.

The $15 entry fee and applications are due no later then Monday, June 15th at 5:00 pm. There are only 100 spots available so apply early to secure your spot! You must turn in your completed waiver form at packet pick-up on Thursday, June 25th.

We ask all participants to be creative this year and really add some excitement to your parade entry. Some things that could add some FUN to your entry are a themed float, lawn mower brigade, hula hoops, colorful or patriotic flags, balloons, jugglers, decorated bicycles, music, stilts or unicycles. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions concerning the parade or if you just want to brainstorm some new and creative ways to make your entry stand out this year.

Sarah Nix

Facility/Program Coordinator

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

401 N. Morton St. Suite 250

Bloomington, IN 47402

p. 812.349.3748

Neighbors,

I noticed an article in the Herald-Times today that is of potential interest to our neighborhood. The part that is of interest to us is that some of the Federal Stimulus money coming into Monroe County will be used to install a section of the Jackson Creek Trail that will connect Sherwood Oaks Park with the Roundabout at the bottom of High Street.

The reason that this is of interest to Sycamore Knolls is because, despite vehement and well-organized resistance from the Sycamore Knolls Neighborhood Association in the past, the Jackson Creek Trail Master Plan still shows the trail (asphalt, eight feet wide) cutting through our neighborhood (in front of Childs, up High, and along Arden) as the "preferred route."

When completed, the section of the trail through the "Goat Farm" will give the City completed trail heads on either side of our neighborhood -- one in Southeast Park, and the other at the Roundabout -- and may very well strengthen the City's case for making an attempt to connect them.

Here is a link to the article, for those who subscribe to the Herald-Times.

Also, here is a link to the Jackson Creek Trail Master Plan (it is a rather large PDF file, so I would not recommend downloading it over a dial-up connection).

- Robert Terrill (President, Sycamore Knolls Neighborhood Association)

Easter Egg Hunt

The weather is turning warmer (if somewhat reluctantly, it seems), and that means that it's time for the Annual Sycamore Knolls Neighborhood Association Easter Egg Hunt!

We'll meet at 11:00am on Saturday, April 11, at Southeast Park. The "egg hunters" will be divided into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-8 years, and 9 years and up. Please plan to arrive on time, as it is very difficult to hold back the eager kids much past the planned start time.

We'll also have a "duck pond" and a "lollipop tree" with prizes for the little ones, and I believe that a very good time will be had by all.

- Robert Terrill, President, Sycamore Knolls Neighborhood Association