[0:00] (bright music) (water gushing) [0:03] - I'm Renae Clark, [0:04] assistant director of Parks and Park Projects [0:06] for Parks and Recreation in Bloomington [0:08] and one of the project leads [0:10] for the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project. [0:13] The project is a natural area restoration project [0:17] that also focuses on preserving, [0:19] restoring, and enhancing the public's access to nature, [0:23] which is so cherished and enjoyed [0:25] by residents of Bloomington. [0:26] It's been a while since the end of December [0:29] when the community last heard what we were up to. [0:31] In 2024, we connected with the community [0:35] to learn what's important to them in Moir and Central Park. [0:39] We did technical assessments, [0:40] including a topographic survey, [0:42] natural resource assessments looking at the wetlands [0:45] and uplands, and initial planning in Moir Park. [0:48] We spent a lotta time exploring [0:50] the potential for bikes working technically [0:53] with the design team and with the community. [0:55] And in December, with the community and city council, [0:58] concluded a bike trail and bikes in Moir and Central Park [1:02] is not feasible and will not be included [1:04] as part of the design. [1:05] We're now moving forward on more [1:08] of the technical design aspects [1:10] that we will include going into the schematic design phase, [1:13] which is just getting started. [1:15] The schematic design is the first phase [1:17] of the design where real details start to come on paper [1:21] that we will share with the community in March. [1:23] This design will be proceeding throughout 2025, [1:26] and there'll be continuous checkpoints [1:29] at design development and final design. [1:32] Some of those assessments and further scoping include [1:36] what we will do with Nine Mile Creek itself, [1:38] from the acute restoration activities [1:41] to the longer-term management strategies [1:44] of the design, addressing erosion, [1:46] addressing constraints as it relates [1:48] to the creek valley walls and existing infrastructure, [1:51] and then upstream influence on how high water gets, [1:55] how fast water flows through the creek, [1:57] how we manage that resource [1:59] for conditions today and in the future. [2:02] We're also then exploring [2:04] the areas upland connected to the creek, [2:07] establishing the target plant communities for restoration. [2:11] The scope of what we're able to include [2:13] in this project, phasing, [2:15] long-term operations, and maintenance. [2:17] Finally, we are developing a concept plan with Moir Park [2:21] that will include a new picnic shelter, [2:24] playground, enhanced natural areas, [2:26] trail loops, and some improvements to the disc golf course. [2:30] Project updates on process, schedule, [2:33] and continued community engagement opportunities [2:36] will be available at bloomingtonforward.org.