Bloomington MN Parks and Recreation

Get ready to kick off a summer of fun with four annual events on Saturday, June 6!

🪁 Kites & Bites Festival, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Valley View Middle School Playfield, E. 90th St. and Portland Ave. S., is the traditional start of the summer Arts in the Parks series. It offers free kites for youth, a professional kite-flying demonstration, six food trucks and music by the Jolly Pops. blm.mn/kites2026

🥕 Bloomington Farmers Market 2026 season begins and runs every Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. through mid-October in the east lot at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. Shop for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked goods, crafts and more from local vendors. Enjoy food trucks and live music weekly. blm.mn/market

🏊‍♀️ Bloomington Family Aquatic Center, 201 E. 90th St., opens for the 2026 season and offers zero-depth entry, interactive play features, an aqua climbing wall, water slides, diving boards, a concession stand and more. BFAC is the place to be for cool summer fun. Get $2 off season passes purchased by June 6. blm.mn/bfac

🌿 The free annual Plant Exchange, 8 – 11 a.m. at Logan Lodge, 9930 Logan Ave. S., is your opportunity to donate, exchange and/or adopt indoor, outdoor and vegetable plants. Expert green thumbs, beginners and everyone in between, the 2026 Plant Exchange is for you. blm.mn/plant-exchange-2026

Art rocks! And when it comes to the free Nature Craft-Rock Painting naturalist event Sunday, May 31, 1:30 p.m. at Smith Park, 8155 Park Ave. S., we mean that literally. 🤘

Drop in to enjoy this creative, hands-on craft led by an experienced naturalist. Design unique patterns, themes, color combinations or whatever comes to mind. Use your artwork as beautiful decorations around your home or elsewhere.

All-ages program. No registration required. All materials provided. Presented as part of our ongoing Naturalist Series.

Naturalist Program: Nature Craft - Rock Painting Paint and decorate rocks inspired by the outdoors at Smith Park, May 31, 1:30-3 p.m.

Registration for the summer session of Bloomington Ice Garden Skate School opens June 3. Classes start Tuesday June 16 and include options for all ages, skill and experience levels. Summer school has never been so cool! ⛸️

For more details and to sign up, visit blm.mn/big.

The FREE Cedarcrest Park splash pad is now open, just in time for the warm weather ahead! Located at 8700 Bloomington Ave. S., the splash pad is the perfect place to enjoy cool, refreshing fun this summer. Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day. 💦

Free Lunch at Cedarcrest Park returns on June 11. Every Thursday, 12 – 1 p.m. through August 20, Cedar Valley Church offers good food and community connection. All are welcome. 🌭

blm.mn/splashpad

No garden? No problem! Adults 50 years of age and above, if you want a vegetable garden but don't have the outdoor space for one, we've got you covered with this free program on Tuesday, June 9, 10–11 a.m. at Logan Lodge, 9930 Logan Ave. S. 🥕🍅

Learn best practices from a master gardener so you can successfully grow vegetables and other food plants in containers. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required and space is limited. Sign up today. Click below for details.

No Garden? No Problem! Learn How to Grow Vegetables in Containers (50+) Adults 50+, learn to grow vegetables in containers at Logan Lodge, June 9, 10 a.m.

Here's our favorite quote about turtles: "Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza." Wait. Sorry. That's our favorite quote BY a turtle. 🐢

Get better acquainted with these awesome animals and learn about nesting, seasonal challenges and other fun and fascinating facts in this free hands-on program, Sunday, May 24, 1:30 p.m. at East Bush Lake Park, 9098 E. Bush Lake Rd. Presented as part of our Naturalist Series. Click below for details.

Naturalist Program: Turtle Time Learn about turtles from a naturalist at Bush Lake, May 24, 1:30-3 p.m.