“The B-Line Trail extends a total of 3.1 miles from Adams Street to Country Club Drive. The B-Line connects to the Bloomington Rail Trail at Country Club Drive, offering a total of 5.1 miles of trail.”
I walked the B-Line today and although it was a gloomy day out and I saw some interesting things. I started my journey near Fairmont Elementary School and my plan was to walk toward my house on 7th Street. I only walked about a mile of the B line but during that time I saw a bunch of very interesting things. Below I have attached a picture of roughly where my walk started and ended.
It was a rainy day but it was still a pretty pleasant experience. Going outside and getting fresh air was very relaxing and therapeutic and I believe that getting outside is very important to good mental health. As I walked I saw a ton of cool things that were worthy of a photo. The first (pictured below) is the back of a building where somebody had spray-painted graffiti. Although this may have been vandalism, I think that it was still worthy of a picture. I did see many people because of the weather, but I saw a couple bikers and one or two other pedestrians. I never had walked the B-Line before so it was very new to me and I never realized how far you can get through Bloomington by just staying on that path. I saw tons of modes of transportation such as buses, cars, bikes, and scooters. I also realized quickly that this trail had all the intentions of separating the bus and pedestrian aspects. There was a good barrier of either land or a physical barrier between the street and the path, and I never found myself looking for traffic. Although I went there during the day, I could also tell that most of the areas would be well lit at night because which would also provide a sense of security for the path-goers.
I also passed Johnson creamery which I stopped at and read about (pictured below). The historic building was built in the early nineteen hundreds and is easily visible from far away due to its huge brick tower. The building is a historic landmark now and although it does not seem to be functional, there was a a recent application to put a cell phone extender on the tower so that people in Bloomington close to the area would have better coverage.
The path itself was very well maintained and I saw two storm drains which implied that the city definitely have thought through all of the endless problems that the line would have posed. It was well paved and was very welcoming. I don’t travel as much as I should by foot but I will definitely keep the B- Line in mind if there is ever a pretty day or if I find myself needing a quick way to get from one side of the city to another. Although I really enjoyed my walk, some things that I would improve on the B- Line is first by adding more public spaces. Although the B- Lines intended purpose is a walking path, I did not see a lot of areas for people to stop their walk for a while and sit down. Granted I did not walk the entire B- Line so I am not sure if this trend was the same the whole way through. I would add some park benches and maybe a table or two to promote picnics and to have an easy rest stop for the elderly or disabled who may not be able to walk as far and may require a rest spot. I would also consider adding a more “modern” touch on the Line. I would start by putting up more trashcans because I think I only saw one or two on my 1 mile walk. I would also try to add more of an “experience” behind the B- Line adventure by adding some more stops and some more historic event spots like the Johnsons creamery sign. I would also the to plant to improve a more vibrant ecosystem. I would add Liriope and flower bed so that in times like these in the spring, there would possibly be more life to be seen. I would next improve accessibility starting by making signs that point to where to go and either maps to show where the line is going or even mile markers so that people can see how long they have been walking without checking their smart phones or smart watches. Lastly, I would add water fountains to promote hydration in humans and in pets so that people can stay safe and well maintained while walking. Although I saw signs of each of these things being implemented, I believe that there is a lot of progress to be made.
My experience was very nice however, and I would love to explore this area even more when it is a nicer day outside than today. I believe that the B- Line servs a major part of the community and just because I have not experienced it does not mean that there isn’t a massive percent of Bloomington that has. With transportation in mind, it is important to be safe, efficient and effective and Bloomington has done a great job with all of those things. The pathway is designed to be accessible to all, making it easy to navigate for people with disabilities and it bring in a whole new way to discover the area.
Overall, the B Line walking path is an important part of Bloomington. By incorporating a safe and convenient walking path, the B Line is encouraging active transportation, and improving public health. The B Line is an example of how cities can design transportation systems that prioritize the needs of people, while also promoting people to go explore and stroll around. With 50,000 people on campus everyday, it provides another artery to the heart of Bloomington and it is a great way to clear up your mind and a great walk!
https://bloomington.in.gov/parks/trails/b-line-trail
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