Last Friday, the folks in Bloomington had something to cheer about as the fresh look Kessler Park was unveiled, complete with Dodger blue fencing and a snack bar that doesn’t look like something out of a horror film. In a splashy ribbon-cutting affair, a crowd of around a thousand locals, from tiny tee-ballers to grizzled Dodgers alums, basked in the glow of the newly revamped recreation hub. According to an official statement, the shin-dig featured not just your garden-variety park dedication festivities, but also the opening pitch of the Bloomington Little League Baseball season.
Getting the spotlight for the night was the Recreation Superintendent Aaron Speer, tasked with herding the cats for the event and sharing the stage with local bigwigs like Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes and County CEO Luther Snoke. They were in good company, with the likes of Mickey Hatcher and Derrel Thomas, two guys who once donned the Dodgers uniform, being roped in to add a sprinkle of old-school baseball magic. As the event sprouted it's charm around the new concrete walkways and renovated facilities, the focus was as much on future tech, like the groundwork laid for eventual free Wi-Fi, as much as it was on present pleasures.
It wasn't just a matter of throwing on a fresh coat of paint; it's clear the park's facelift was a meticulous effort to crank up its appeal and usefulness for every Bloomington body—not ignoring the cozy shade canopy that should keep spirits cool on even the most blistering summer days. Joe Baca, Jr., the Fifth District Supervisor, was caught preaching to the choir when he said, “This well-maintained and modernized park has become and will continue to serve as a vibrant gathering place. It will promote physical and mental well-being, strengthen social connections and provide a safe and enjoyable environment for people of all ages to come together and create lasting memories,” in a statement obtained by the ceremony organizers.
For all those who missed out on the jamboree, Kessler Park is now up and running from the time the sun flips on until it clocks out. And for the record, this isn't the end of the tale—the Bloomington Recreation and Parks District has hinted at more goodies coming down the pipeline for the community's urban oasis. So whether you're keen to swing a bat, wolf down some popcorn, or just saunter along those new walkways, Kessler Park's ready and waiting on the corner of Jurupa and Linden Avenues. And here's to hoping that whatever's next in line for upgrades, they'll keep the restrooms in the same not-horrifying condition.
