I started out on the B-Line where it intersects with 8th street and followed the trail until it got to the Kroger at 2nd street, and then back. Originally, I was going to walk longer, but my phone died shortly after my walk started.
At this starting point, I quickly realized the B-Line was a lot more involved and had a lot more going on than I originally anticipated. Throughout the trail there are decorations, attractions, and overall you can tell that there was careful consideration and work done on every individual section. One regret I have is that I walked the trail during a more chilly, rainy, and cloudy April day. Because of the weather (and I’m sure little 500 had something to do with it) I legitimately only encountered 2 people both of whom were riding bikes. I also feel that the weather also contributed to making the trail feel a bit less special because there are many places with vibrant colors that would definitely pop in the sunlight, and overall better weather would have made my walk more enjoyable.
Right as I began I was met with an informative map and quick writeup about the trail which I really enjoyed. It made it feel all the more official as if I was doing a real activity rather than going on a walk simply. It is a nice and wide path, plenty of room for multiple people side by side, or traffic such as bikes being able to overtake the slower pedestrians. In addition to the map making it feel as though its an activity rather than simply a path, there is also sitting areas littered throughout. Whether it be benches, picnic tables or stones that I believe look like they are intended to be used as seats, it again creates a more inviting space.
Another thing that I believe contributed to this being a communal space where people actually want to spend time was the ease of access. Pretty much every street crossing was accessible, the farmers market had its own entrance, and there where other trails branching off to provide access to random places throughout. Normally when I think of a trail or path, I envision long stretches with no exits or simply a point a to point b path. This was a nice change of pace for me.
Beyond all of the logistical aspects the city implemented such as lamp posts with trashcans, the previously mentioned seating, and the entrance signs, the artwork is the real showstopper. There is graffiti, full blown murals, and sculptures throughout the whole trail. For the larger pieces of art, there is also little plaques detailing the artist, inspiration and other information to give context. Its almost like a little museum because in addition to these sections detailing art, there are also multiple informative plaques detailing the district, history, or culture of Bloomington that it resides in. Just overall, the city of Bloomington did such a great job creating an activity pretty much out of nothing by embracing the surroundings, the culture, and the history of the city.
Even when walking through the more downtrodden areas, the trail still maintained its charm no matter what. It really embraced the surroundings and had a slightly different look almost every block that more fit in with its surroundings. There would be flower artwork right next to a little flower market, but when an alley connects right behind a bar there is colorful eye-catching graffiti. Bloomington is extremely diverse, not only in the actual makeup of the peoples but the architecture and neighborhoods as well. The B-Line fully embraced every different aspect of Bloomington and the surrounding neighborhoods that it cut through. My favorite piece of art was a large stone sculpture called Bloomington Banquet.
Again going back to the idea that this doesn’t simply feel like a trail, more like a museum: this sculpture is absolutely not something I anticipated seeing on my walk on the B-Line. It was absolutely massive and I’ve never seen anything like it when it comes to things on walking trails of any kind. There is an accompanying plaque a bit farther down the trail with a large amount of information. At first look, I didn’t even realize the fact that I’m looking at a table and two chairs. There is so much deeper meaning and though put into this sculpture from the materials made, to the bowl being on the table being “an inverted replica of Bloomington’s courthouse dome”. The layers of detail are very deep, and without this plaque I would have so much less appreciation for this specific piece of art. Sometimes art doesn’t need a sort of explanation (this one doesn’t either it inspires awe without the backstory), but typically when accompanied by some context of backstory it increases the value and enjoyability of the piece. This is executed perfectly on the B-Line.
How could the B-Line improve by utilizing smart city tactics and technology? One thing that I know may sound absurd is that I would love to see some kind of WIFI implementation or phone charging stations. This is a little bit selfish as my phone did indeed die on my walk, but I think it could attract more people. One could argue it defeats the purpose of an outdoor trail, but I think in 2023 we need to embrace technology and integrate nature and tech. There are items throughout that are spaced at a reasonable wireless access point distances, so they simply just need to be integrated. I know this would cost a bit, but I believe there is a lot of work and money put into this trail already anyway.
Another potential smart city focused idea for the B-Line would be to have city bikes or e-bikes on the trail to be rented via some kind of app. The trail goes for a little over 3 miles and mostly mirrors a main road. That is a long walk and in my mind makes a bit more sense for a bicycle. Taking this one step further, they could even have bikes that geo-lock themselves strictly to the trail itself. This would make the trail all the more accessible as a transport option as well. There are plenty of activities and things to look at, but adding functionality such as e-bikes provides a whole other dynamic to the trail that it was missing.
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