Normandale Lake Park

For family fun this is a good park for nature walks, casual picnics and impromptu stage performances by budding young entertainers. The loop around Normandale Lake  is just over 2 miles long and stroller-friendly. Plus there are hidden gems along the route where tots and crawlers can get out and explore nature on their own. Note that there is no barrier, other than native plantings, between the path and the lake. You’ll want to direct small children away from the lakefront. Parking is close to the bandshell. If there are no performances taking place, it is fun for kids to climb on the stage and create their own shows.

On summer evenings Normandale often hosts family, friendly performances. On quieter evenings at dusk, I’ve seen a bald eagle skimming the lake.

Arts in the Parks at Normandale Lake Park

Arts in the Parks is the City of Bloomington’s summer arts program. These programs are completely free of charge and open to the public. Normandale Lake Park hosts music programs and most of the moonlight movies. Thursday Blockbusters are a combination of music and corresponding food vendors on select Thursdays. Moonlight Movies screens outdoor movies on a 30-foot screen. Popcorn and water are usually available for purchase.

Arts in the Park will continue to be hosted by the City of Bloomington during Three Rivers administration.

Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve

It is noteworthy that Normandale Lake Park is part of the larger Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. If you are planning a day of it, you may want to hit more than one park in the system. Other parks in this reserve that we have reviewed, include:

• Bush Lake Beach
• Hyland Lake Park
• West Bush Lake Park

More information

• Find a map of Normandale Lake hiking & biking trails
• Bloomington Arts in the Parks
• Weather updates and cancellations are posted Bloomington Parks and Recreation Facebook page