1. www.cityblm.org
Case Study
Tipton Trails Subdivsion
David Lamb, Horticulturist
dlamb@cityblm.org
Kevin Kothe, P.E. City Engineer
kkothe@cityblm.org

2. College Ave
Airport Road
1940
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

3. College Ave
Airport Road
1951
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

4. College Ave
Airport Road
1972
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

5. College Ave
Airport Road
1982
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

6. College Ave
Airport Road
1995
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

7. College Ave
Airport Road
2001
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

8. College Ave
Airport Road
2004
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

9. College Ave
Airport Road
2006
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

10. College Ave
Airport Road
2008
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

11. College Ave
Airport Road
2010
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

12. College Ave
Airport Road
2012
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
GE Road
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

13. 20 Year Pre-annexation agreement adopted 4/10/2000
Annexed 5/22/2000
9 Additions

14. Annexation Agreement
Key Points
 Mrs. Tipton sold 107.54 Acres to Larry Hundman, the
developer of Tipton Trails Subdivision and gave 49.51 Acres to
the City of Bloomington for Parkland
 The developer will construct backyard drainage ways (swales
with native plantings)
 The City will allow a reduction in sewer sizing requirements
 The City and developer will formulate a list of allowable
plantings in these drainage ways

15. Concept
Plan

16. Mary Tipton gave 49.51 Acres
to Bloomington for a City’s
park under certain conditions

17. Conditions for the Park
The park is to honor her family
Water detention must be in the park
The park must contain “passive” (noncompetitive sports) recreation activities

18. • 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake
• Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground

19. • Planted in stages between 2001 and 2003
• Native prairie into urban environment

20. • Shoreline stabilized with plants not rocks
• Species include arrowhead and bulrush

21. • Tall grass prairie dominates most of park
• Species include bluestem and Indian grass

22. • How do you maintain a native prairie in town?
• Education and communication with residents

23. • Prescribed burning
• Ecological mowing

24. Challenges
• Invasive plants
• Algae and aquatic weeds
• Beavers
• Inlets/outlets and storm water
• Combination of active and passive recreation

25. • Clogged inlets due to beavers and tall grass
• Water could not exit to Sugar Creek

26. • Life Trail exercise system
• Encourages handicapped patrons

27. • Water play very popular
• Parties and gatherings

28. • Open air barn shelter
• Farming theme to play area

29. Covenants
The developer filed the protective covenants
on May 12th, 2000
 The covenants will expire in 2025
 4 amendments has been approved since the covenants were
filed
 Covenants are a type of contractual arrangement
 It states what the owner of the land can and can’t do with the
property

30.  Keep drainage way free and clear
Drainage way and Utility Easement
Typically 30 feet wide with 15 feet
from each backyard
Per Covenants
No trees, bushes, or other
landscaping materials should
be placed in the drainage
ways

31.  No playhouses, swing sets,
or other recreational items
should be placed in the
drainage ways

32.  No fences of any type are
permitted in the drainage
ways

33. Native Prairie Grass Facts
 Enhances the landscape
 Lives a long time after
establishment
They generally establish slowly
The root systems are the best
natural soil anchors

34. Advantages
 Cleans the water that filters into the pond
 The root system absorbs the nitrates and phosphates,
which allows the grass to grow
 Soil stabilization
 The deep roots decrease erosion by anchoring soil

35. Disadvantages
• The grass becomes very tall
• Very hard to mow
• Difficulty to upkeep the maintenance
• Attracts unwanted wildlife