By Young Na

My Visit to B-Line and Switchyard Park

On Saturday morning, I visited the B-line trail with my good friends. First, we began our little journey from the farmer’s market near the 7th and Morton with a bag of kettle corn I purchased. Then we slowly walked southbound. The entire walk was about a little more than 2 miles, and the elevation change was about 70 feet, so it was a very comfortable walk along the way (Starting elevation: 771 ft, End elevation: 699 ft).

As we walked the B-line trail, we first noticed the free bike pump, which will be very handy for all weekend cyclists. One thing to note is that the B-line trail is a perfect trail for a short walk or a jug and a popular place to bike, so the free air pump and tools along the trail were a nice touch. Be aware that the B-line trail passes through the city road with traffic, so always remember to be cautious when crossing a crow walk. We noticed that the trail also has many street lights to light the path at night.

After walking for a mile, we made a first stop at Hopscotch Coffee Shop, which is known for its great Thai iced coffee (very sweet coffee with double caffeine). If you are into spirits and some finger foods, Cardinal Spirits is right across the street from the Hopscotch Coffee Shop for a little detour. With a cup of iced coffee in our hands, we started our journey again. The next stop was Switchyard Park.
Once you cross the big bridge on Patterson Dr and Morton St, you enter the biggest park in Bloomington, Switchyard Park. Things that we noticed when we entered the park were many different types of courts and areas for sports activities such as basketball, pickleball, or skateboarding available, as well as s security cart driving around to ensure the visitors’ safety. Within the park, there were many seatings, tables, fun features such as a water fountain, and a large playground for children to enjoy. I had to revisit the park at night so I could try out some of the playground equipment without getting judged by kids. Trust me, if you see the playground in Switchyard Park, you will do the same too. If you are a dog owner, I believe that Switchyard Park along the B-line trail is the best dog park in the city to visit. Here, you can have your dog freely run around within the fence, but honestly, the area within the fence looked a lot bigger than what non-dog owner visitors have access to, so good for you, our fluffy friends! The park making two separate areas for dogs based on their weight was another great approach. As we passed the dog park, we decided to turn around and go back.

People on B-Line and Switchyard Park

There were many people along the way that we encountered.

• Casual Pedestraints like us
• Joggers
• Dog Owners
• Cyclists
• Electric Scooters and Boards

Overall demographics of the people on the trail were very diverse. You would see a group of families with toddlers to elders of different ethnicities, which makes the trail and park very welcoming for anyone in the city or the visitors. One thing to note is that since the trail and the park is public space, you will encounter homeless people. There were a couple of homeless campsites along the B-lie trail.

Types of Transportation Used

There were many cyclists when we visited the trail and occasional electric scooter riders and skateboarders. Since there are many parking sites along the trail, we noticed that many people also park their cars, then enjoy taking a short walk with their friends and family. With the different types of transportation used on the trail, there are different speed movements on one trail. Due to not having a bike lane, cyclists and pedestrians use the same trail, which sometimes can cause an accident if both parties are not paying attention.

Connectivity

The north side of the trail is very well connected to surrounding neighborhoods and cities where many access points exist. However, as you walk towards the south side of the trial, many access points become only available via vehicle. This could be due to the south side of the trail passing through Switchyard Park. We noticed that many access points to and from the surrounding neighborhoods on the south side of the trail were blocked by a fence.

Different Land Uses

Starting from the North side of the trail, the land surrounding the trials is used for commercial areas. Along the way, you would see retail stores, hotels, coffee shops, and a grocery store. As you walk towards the south, the land use slowly changes to residential neighborhoods. Lastly, the south side of the trail becomes green spaces with Switchyard Park. With the different land use, each section of the trail serves a different purpose. The north side of the trial is mainly used for casual commercial store experience, while the south part of the trial is used for park experience with different types of activities available along the way.

Smart City Strategies

Trolley Service

Overall, the B-Line has many beautiful experiences to offer. The problem is that the two most distinctive attractive sites are very distanced from each other. Walking to the other side of the trail is doable, but returning is always challenging. Therefore, visitors will benefit from having a mode of public transportation on the trail, such as a trolley service.

Active Surveillance System for Vandalism

The B-line trail is known to have a clean aesthetic. However, from my experience walking on the trail, I noticed that some graffiti was very inappropriate, especially for the trail many children use. Switchyard Park does have many security cameras installed with the street lights along the park pathway, but I have not seen any surveillance system to monitor any vandalism on the rest of the trail. Therefore, a monitoring system will increase the overall experience using the trail.

My Experience

I started walking the B-Line right off Rogers Street, and I ended my Journey at the Kroger by Seminary Park. The weather was very nice and made the walk quite enjoyable. I was able to avoid the rain and the sun was shining for most of my walk. A few of my friends were able to join me so I didn’t have to walk alone. Despite walking through the city part of the trail, it was quiet, and the walk was peaceful. Walking past all the restaurants made for quite the smelly experience. It was tempting to stop at all the different local restaurants that I encountered on the trail. I was unable to stop at any of the places along the trail due to time, but I saw many different restaurants and the local farmers market that looked intriguing to stop at. This was nice to see all the different options that Bloomington offered, and it was nice to know that I was a part of this community. I was also able to see all the local art that was on the buildings and showcased along the B-line. This added so much liveliness to the line and made for interesting points of viewing while walking. It also showed how artistic Bloomington is and how much character that allowing people to add their own creative expression to the line can add so much to the feeling of the community.

The People

The people were the most interesting part of walking the B-Line. There were many people on the B-Line, and it was interesting to see that many people were in Bloomington somewhere that wasn’t campus. There were not as many people as on campus but there was enough that it gave me a good sense of the community. There were friends walking, older couples, and families all along the trail, this diversity in ages made me think of how this path brings many people together. The different age groups all have connections to the trail since it connects so many parts of Bloomington. The trail connects many parts of the city, so it makes it easier for the different demographics to have access to the trail and makes the community feel more connected. I was only able to walk through the residential part of the trail, so I was unable to see what the greener parts of the trail look like and how the community feels towards those parts. However, the parts I was able to walk were amazing and I could feel a sense of community when walking, this was amplified by the amount of people and the landmarks that I saw along the way.

Smart City Strategies

I think one smart city strategy that could be implemented along the B-line is smart benches. There were tons of benches along the path and with so many benches I think that it could be used as an opportunity for a smart city initiative. These benches would make use of solar technology to allow charging of phones for people or could be hotspots for free Wi-Fi access, and because the B-line sees a lot of sun, this would make good use of the many benches along the path. The charging capabilities could make it more of a convenience to charge your phone and it would be nice for people who walk the entire line to keep their phone charged. The public Wi-Fi access points could also make it easier for people to stay connected along line, there are already free Wi-Fi being added to many of the parks so this could add to that by connecting more of the city. With so many benches along the B-line, I think that it would be a perfect are to intervene with a smart technology.

Another smart city strategy that I think the B-line could implement is smart kiosks. There were many maps and signs along the path, and I think that these could be upgraded to smart kiosks. These kiosks could serve multiple purposes like serving as a map, giving information about the local art, or showing what restaurants are open around the kiosk and giving the location of them. The physical maps serve their purpose, but over time, the ma itself can wear down and needs to be replaced, smart kiosk could help with that and even improve on it by making the map interactable. People could click something on the map, and it could show them more information and even directions on how to get there. There were also many signs explaining the art, these could be made digital and could be on the smart kiosk. The smart kiosk could also be used for showing information about local restaurants and businesses. I noticed many restaurants near the B-line, and I think that they could take advantage of it by making a kiosk that could show things that are open and maybe advertise some deals that are going on. This could increase the engagement between the people walking the line making for an increase in community connection to local businesses. Another thing these kiosks could be used for is emergency notification as well, they could have the same functionality that the beacons around campus would have.

My Experiences on the B-Line Trail

My most recent experience on the B-Line Trail has not been my first. Whenever I have nothing to do, I typically find myself just hopping on my bike and ride along the trail. Just walking or biking on the trail is very therapeutic for me. I have nothing to do, just absorb all the sights and sounds. When I went on the trail this past Wednesday, I decided to join the trail on Kirkwood and walk south toward Switchyard Park.

Sights and Sounds on the Trail

On that particular day, it was nice and sunny. This naturally makes me very joyous as it reminds me of the beauty that life brings. The budding trees and flowers were especially nice as it was much-needed contrast to the leafless trees of the winter months. In addition to the nature scenes along the trail, I just love hearing people mingling. Whether it be people having casual conversations or kids laughing as they are playing their games, I just love everything about people enjoying themselves on the trail. Everything on that day on the trail brought me joy as I have been swamped with school and the anxiety caused by graduating.

Going south on the B-Line trail is a must as there are so many places to stop by and things to do. As you go past the Kroger on Rogers Street there is a segment of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that people can pull aside to grab something real quick on the go. These places were filled with people so it was naturally welcoming. Shortly after, I entered the bustling Switchyard Park. It would be extremely difficult for someone to not find something to partake in inside the park. There are basketball and pickleball courts, a skate park, a communal area with tables and chairs, a dog park, and a playground for the kiddos. These spaces were also being used well as it seemed that each area was being occupied by people.

The best thing I personally enjoy about the trail is that every walk of life can be found using the trail. Whether it is students or local residents, you can probably find them enjoying the trail. Since the trail intersects across the busiest parts of Bloomington, it is a natural space for people to congregate at. While reflecting on the different people that I observed, I have been having a hard time thinking of different people that would be least likely to walk on the trail. As I previously mentioned, the trail seems to attract everybody from every community. The environment of the B-Line is very welcoming, so I feel that most people wouldn’t be detracted from taking part. The only people that wouldn’t really use it are those that wouldn’t enjoy walking outside. Even people with physical disabilities can use the trails. There are some bridges on the trail, but they have the option to use ramps underneath the bridge to get to the other side.

I observed that most of the people on the trail were pedestrians just walking on the trail. However, there were also people on bicycles as well. There were also a lot of e-scooters that were parked at the bicycle parking, but I didn’t observe anyone using them. Seeing people walk in a public space makes me feel very wholesome for some reason even though I see people walk all the time. I think it comes down to the fact that people are just enjoying themselves. They are enjoying their time and company without a care about anything else.

How Well Does the Trail Mesh with Bloomington?

I think the B-Line trail does an excellent job of connecting every facet of the Bloomington community. The trail intersects through pedestrian-centric parts of the city (i.e. downtown Bloomington) so it makes it the best spot for people to access the trail. Even then, on either side of the trail are points where people can drive and park their cars to hop on the trail. It naturally blends in the city as there are plenty of businesses that are planted alongside. For example, in the center, people can stop at Hopscotch Coffee or even get their groceries at Bloomingfoods Market. The B-line also serves as the main artery to other trails as well. If one so desires, one can enjoy the more secluded trails of the Bloomington Rail Trail and the Limestone Greenway. All of these things contribute to the overall vibe of the city tremendously as it is seamlessly engrained into the local community. The routing of the trail makes getting to different places in the city a breeze. If someone lives close to the trail it would actually be more convenient for them to walk or bike to get to a nearby restaurant or business than to drive there.

Instead of demolishing every building to give the area a new look. The planners decided to keep some of the buildings. For example, when I entered switchyard park, I immediately noticed an empty warehouse that has been converted into a local playspace that’s operated by a local organization. The city could have easily demolished it and converted the space into something else. But the warehouse adds more to the ambiance that is uniquely Bloomington, something that you can’t find anywhere else. With that being said, you can also notice new developments that I noticed that was opened alongside the construction of the trail. For example, some townhouses and businesses can be walked up to from the trail. The addition of these new buildings adds to the more communal feeling as it makes it feel like the trail is engraved into the city of Bloomington, not just another afterthought that was just added randomly.

Adding Smart City Implementation to the B-Line

With all the great things that the B-Line Trail has, there is more opportunity for the trail to implement Smart city strategies to make it more effective for its users. One thing that I noticed is that there isn’t much security on the trail. There is a police station near Switchyard Park as well as a police officer patrolling the trail, but it isn’t clarified when they are patrolled. On IU’s campus, there are stations where you can call for emergency response if you think you are in danger. By pressing the button, it sends a ping to the local police and they will respond to that general location for assistance. If somebody keeps on walking, they can press the buttons of consecutive stations to create a route of where they are going. Currently, there is nothing of the sort on the B-Line Trail, and I feel like this addition would increase safety. The trail is mainly occupied during the day, but at night, I feel that most people are afraid to use it as they might feel unsafe during dark hours.

I think it would be a good idea to create an application that people can interact with to find out about new events that will occur on the B-Line Trail and the accompanying parks that are connected to it. It can also be a place where like-minded people with similar interests can meet up and do different activities. I think this can be a powerful application that can further bring the Bloomington community together. With mobile communication being a vital part of our society, people are always meeting new people online. This application would not only allow for new relationships to form, but it would also foster a community where nobody is a stranger.

All images were taken by me

Bloomington’s B-Line Trail

After reading the article about William Whyte, I learned that public spaces are a central part of communities, and that they need to be designed specifically with the people of that community in mind. After walking the B-Line trail in Bloomington, Indiana, I found myself in awe of how the design of this trail accomplishes everything Whyte spent his time researching.

The B-Line trail is a 3.1 mile long trail that connects the city of Bloomington and the surrounding neighborhoods. I often find myself going on runs and walks on this trail during my time at Indiana University. Recently, I walked 2 miles along the trail, from where the trail connects at W 7th Street and S Madison Street. From there, I headed South for two miles before turning around and heading back. 

On this 65 degree and sunny Tuesday, the path was filled with life. From people walking their dogs to going on a run, everyone was enjoying their day in a different way, but in the same space. As I walked down the trail with one of my best friends, we could feel the positive energy around us. We noted how everyone we passed had a smile on their face, enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. The air smelled of fresh plants and flowers. I could hear the laughter and soft conversations of those around me as I walked. I felt happy, and like summer was almost upon us, even though it was mid spring. I felt joy as I passed people playing pickleball and skating in the skate park with their friends. Thinking about how everyone there that day chose to leave the house to go outside and enjoy the beautiful day on the B-Line. 

While walking along the B-Line, I came across many different points of interest. The first being farm animal-like sculptures along the path. These large, colorful pieces of art added a sense of curiosity to the path as I passed them. Next, I walked across a steep bridge that was over W Grimes Lane. As I walked up it, I noticed bikers and runners alike pushing themselves up this steep area, and then watched as they easily came down the other side. I had never been across the bridge before and was surprised when I saw basketball, bocce ball, and pickleball courts as I neared switchyard park.

I could tell that these were all newer additions to the path because the colors on the courts were bright and not worn down at all. I watched as a group of men gathered around to start a game of pick-up basketball, and four friends laughed as they ran around the pickleball court. As I walked past the bocce ball courts, I thought about how that was an interesting activity to make space for and while it seemed like a fun idea, I doubted that many people actually used them. However, to my surprise, 15 minutes later after turning around to walk back, there were two men setting up and playing. These men were older, and I guessed that not many younger people played this often, but I was glad to see that there were people out using the space and playing outside! I also noticed that there was outside workout equipment aligned in a circle that looked interesting, but no one was using it. I also passed what looked like a community garden which had freshly planted plants, and a skate park that was bustling with teenage boys on bikes and skateboards. There were also many restaurants and small cafes lined along the path, and if I didn’t have somewhere to be after my walk, I would have stopped for a cup of coffee. 

The People of the B-Line

One of the joys of walking is the opportunity to encounter and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. I definitely saw some interesting people on my walk. The majority of the people I saw walking were middle aged, around 30-50 years old, and white. This makes sense because 81% of Bloomington’ population is white. I also saw a lot of younger, high school to college aged students, mostly riding bikes and scooters, as well as playing basketball and pickleball, and riding in the skate park. I even ran into two friends who were walking together, enjoying the warm weather. However, there were not many people of color that I saw during my walk, which surprised me. With the other 20% of Bloomington’s population being people of color, I thought that I would have encountered more. 

As for the types of transportation I saw, there were bikers, some casually riding their bikes for enjoyment, soaking up the sun and they moved down the path, and others with their expensive racing bikes who seemed to be training for a race. There was also a significant amount of electric scooters on the trail which people seemed to use as a mode to get from one place to another, and not so much for leisure like the bikes were used for. There were a few runners I saw, but mostly people chose to walk, and from my perspective it seemed like most pedestrians were walking for leisure and did not have a destination in mind. With all of these modes of transportation, at some points the path felt chaotic, with bikes and scooters zooming by, almost hitting pedestrians at one point because they did not realize they walked into the path of an oncoming scooter.

The connectivity of the trail to the surrounding neighborhoods seemed to be very well planned. There were street crossings, some houses that backed up to the trail, and many easy access points to enter and exit. There were also some bus stops close by to the trail that I noticed. However, at some street crossings, where the pedestrians are supposed to have the right of way, I saw a runner cross the street, almost getting hit by a car that did not stop for her. But, overall, I think there is a great connection between the trail and the neighborhoods it goes through. I also noticed many different land uses along the B-line. Along with the residential neighborhoods with houses right along the path, there were commercial areas with stores and restaurants. However, I felt that these buildings did not overwhelm the green spaces located around and on the trail. I felt an overall sense of openness and nature as I walked the path, specifically near Switchyard Park. All of the different land uses contributed to a positive vibe of the neighborhood because there were people everywhere doing all sorts of activities, from exercise, to eating, to sitting on park benches soaking up the sun. 

Smart City Strategies for the B-Line

I think that two different smart city strategies that could be implemented along the B-line to make the trail more sustainable, attractive, and accessible for everyone are adding smart benches and more public art. I believe that smart benches can make the path more accessible and convenient for the community. Specifically, these benches would have features such as USB charging ports so pedestrians can easily charge their phones while sitting down to enjoy the weather, or while sitting under an awning that provides protection from the weather. These benches can also have Wi-Fi, to encourage people to use their electronic devices outside on the path, instead of inside somewhere else. These benches would also be wheelchair accessible and provide shade and shelter for people who need them. Smart benches can provide a comfortable and convenient place for Bloomington residents to rest, recharge, and enjoy their surroundings. 

Another smart city strategy that could be added to the B-line is public art. The B-line would become more visibly beautiful and engaging with the addition of public art. This might include artwork that show Bloomington’s history and culture in murals, sculptures, and installation, as well as art that people can interact with. There is a lot of graffiti on walls lining the path, and I think that those could be replaced with murals, similar to the ”Welcome to Bloomington” mural on Kirkwood near Sample Gates. I also believe that adding cultural art can improve the diversity of people seen on the trail. A sense of community and social connection can be created with public art, which would improve the overall experience of the trail.

Overall, I think William Whyte said it best when he said, “If there’s a lesson in street watching it is that people like basics – and as environments go, a street that is open to the sky and filled with people and life is a splendid place to be”. I think this very accurately describes Bloomington’s B-line trail and the experience that I had while walking it. The trail was a great place to get outside to exercise while enjoying the community of Bloomington and the nature it has to offer.

My Experience & Places Stopped

First of all, I have to say that the B-trail is a remarkable experience. I haven’t visited many places in Bloomington because I only moved here for my graduate studies a year and a half ago. However, if I had to recommend a place for new arrivals to explore, I would certainly start with the B-trail because it communicates an aspect of how lovely Bloomington, Indiana really is! At times, I find that nature is my closest confidant, I love going for walks and the tranquility they give me. I was actually not sure what or where the B-Line was at first, but once I learned its accurate location, I thought this was an opportunity to go and find some serenity and get some much-needed exercise after so many days of being occupied with my course project workload from the past few weeks. As I began to walk on the Bridge in West 3rd street near Downtown transit, I planned to reach the Bridge on West Grimes Lane near the Indiana University campus bus shed, my initial plan was to stop and take a number of pictures because that’s one of my hobbies and because, even if I overlook any specifics, looking at the photos can help me recall what I experienced there. I headed to the trail around 2:30 PM, possibly it was a busy time for everyone since there weren’t many people over there. Fortunately, it wasn’t a busy day or time for me, so I got to enjoy the time I spent there. 

As I mentioned earlier, it was wonderful taking some pictures and having spent some time there, so my first stop was at the beginning of the bridge. Then I have to halt for a few minutes to let vehicles pass as the roads dividing the B-Line do not include any stop signs. I wasn’t planning on stopping at any location; I just walked along the trail, taking pictures of notable landmarks like Kroger and residential neighborhoods because the houses looked lovely.

I halted at a bench to rest and go over the photos because I wasn’t prepared for the weather that day and didn’t have my umbrella with me, so I desired to finish my walk quickly. If I recall correctly, I saw a parking lot next to the road that the trial is connected to when I stopped at Hopscotch Coffee Cafe. Surprisingly, I did not observe any pedestrian signs there, even though the number of vehicles is minimal but people passing through as I noticed during my walk that day several people walked along that road.  I didn’t come across any pedestrian indications until the very end of my approximately mile-long walk!

People Along the B-Line

I saw people of all ages, including kids who were playing and getting around, people of my age jogging or cycling, and older people who were out for a walk in the lovely and cool weather. While walking, I came across some lovely infrastructures including benches and play areas for kids and adults for leisure and activity, but most importantly, I loved the lights that lined the trail because I found them to be rather appealing.

Along the way, I stopped by a cafe and argued over the decision to buy a coffee for a while before deciding against it and continuing to walk the trail. When getting back I had a chance to speak with a woman who was getting to another part of the vicinity. When asked about the trail, she said, “It was entertaining but sometimes it could be scary too as homeless people stroll along the same trail and a couple of them would startle me a bit.”

Transportation & Connectivity

During the time, I encountered a number of modes of transportation. Many of them were walking, perhaps to take advantage of the cool weather, while others were cycling while others appeared to be preparing for a race based on their attire. While enjoying the weather and listening to music, some people were skateboarding and using rollerblades. Overall, it wasn’t any different from a regular road; instead of pedestrian crossings at busy intersections, the B-Line serves as a mode of transportation or a pathway for everyone and everything, with the exception of larger vehicles, which are similar to the pedestrian crossings mentioned above but are only present in certain locations.

I would essentially define Bloomington as having “pedestrian crossings alongside roadways for vehicles” throughout, but not the other way around. Since I’ve been here and have been exploring the city, I’ve come to believe that the aforementioned statement is accurate from the standpoint of many, as I have observed many giving pedestrians importance or first priority and have come across many pedestrian crossings, even in between minimal connecting intersections. The best example of this would be B-Line, which prioritizes pedestrians while also connecting the trail to numerous locations throughout the neighborhood, including Kroger, various parks, parking lots, cafes, recreational areas, and many others.

Land Uses

I came across a variety of land uses along the trail, including residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and green areas. It was amazing how these various uses were seamlessly incorporated into the neighborhood’s overall character and vibe.

Smart City Strategies

Smart Solar Benches

There are times when you need a place to sit, charge your phone, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature while doing so. There is a surprising feature of smart solar benches: when data is exhausted or the battery is low, we can use this bench to connect to the internet or share its hotspot. In addition, it can track environmental data such as noise levels, air quality, and temperature. Some third-party services have set up a website that tracks how many people have used the bench to charge their devices, how many people use it on average each day, and how many hours of solar charging it has provided. The best example of such a smart solar bench would be EngoPlanet, which has already placed some of its smart solar benches in a number of cities, including Boston and Houston, Texas. 

Smart Vending Machines

Smart vending machines have various components to make their everyday operations easier, such as sensors for controlling stock levels, temperature, and humidity, digital screens for advertising, and a terminal for contactless payments. Single Board Computers (SBCs)-based smart vending machines can be remotely monitored, enabling notifications and alerts about the system’s current state that can be used to anticipate unexpected breakdowns or faults. Additionally, the SBCs act as access points to the service centers, enabling them to keep track of the stock levels inside vending machines and make decisions about when to restock them. Smart vending machines and smart solar benches could work hand in hand because we would all need a snack while taking a casual walk like we all did, when we get tired while cycling, and other times when just relaxing on the bench. 

REFERNCES :

Smart solar bench by engoplanet. engoplanet. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.engoplanet.com/smartbench-smart-solar-benches

Smart Vending & Automated Retail. Silkron. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.silkron.com/smart-vending#omni-channel-retail-experience

First Thoughts

Bloomington’s B-Line trail is not only a fun place to walk, jog, or bike, but also a glimpse into the various walks of life found throughout the city. As a first B-Line walker, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into my walk, but was pleasantly surprised throughout my time spent on it. My girlfriend and I began our walk on Seventh Street right at the intersection between the B-Line and Seventh, and began heading northwest towards Adam’s Street.

My Experience

The first notable area I walked through was the large train station looking buildings/plaza, which I eventually realized is where the Bloomington farmer’s market is hosted. The first 15 minutes in from our general starting place featured contemporary buildings with well-kept landscaping, making the area feel very modern and citylike. As we continued, the atmosphere shifted a bit as steel yards and seemingly abandoned construction facilities flanked the trail. I found these areas particularly interesting because seeing them for the first time caught me off guard, coming from a the plush scenery we saw before. Eventually, we came to a split in the trail, and weren’t sure which way was was a continuation of the B-Line and which was just an offshoot of it. We ended up taking the path that wasn’t a main part of the B-Line and lead us to a park that, after looking up, is Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park and the Butler community garden. While it wasn’t a part of the B-Line, I found this park to be a really enjoyable space to walk through, as it was almost entirely empty when we visited, and all the open greenspace was very well kept. After spending a good half hour roaming around the park, we came decided to get back to the B-Line, continuing northwest where the path’s identity continued to evolve. We came across everything from modern suburbs to homeless camps made from tarps, and I found this variability to be a feature of the B-Line that will make me want to go back and experience it again in the future.

People

My B-Line experience from the perspective of peoplewatching may have been a bit irregular because I walked it on Easter Sunday, but I still was able to interact with and observe different people walking on the path for various different reasons. The most common B-Line goers I ran into during my walk was people out exercising or simply enjoying the weather. We came across runners, lots of walkers and a few people riding bikes. Most of these people were very friendly and out walking with their families and friends. We also ran into a few people that seemed like they were commuting. Work attire for people going to/from work and students with backpacks were spotted mostly while we were near Seventh Street. There were also a few homeless people walking the B-Line, one of which was very kind and wished us a happy Easter. Generalizing, I’d say that the least common demographic found on the B-Line were younger people. On the entire walk, we only saw 3 or 4 people that looked to be in their late teens/early twenties.

Connectivity & Land Use

Because it goes through multiple neighborhoods and areas of Bloomington, the B-Line seems like a great way to get around the city through means other than car or bus. Accessibility is a pivotal consideration for public spaces like this, and there are entries and exits scattered throughout most strips on the B-Line. Being relatively close to IU’s campus, this route would be feasible for students who lived on the west side of the city, but also for those who use multiple means of transportation from farther areas to get to the Fountain Square and other restaurant and business locations. Looking back, I felt like accessibility from multiple parts of the city also tied in with the land use along the B-Line. Some locations along the path felt very city-like, with banners and monuments detailing the city’s locational history and it’s achievement, while other areas felt open and serene. As mentioned earlier, Butler park was very light on flashy scenery, but that’s what made it one of my favorite parts of the walk, it was open and quiet, feeling like the sprawl of Kirkwood was much farther away than it actually was. As previously alluded to, I also just found the general span of residencies to be very interesting. Within 10 minutes you can go from looking at hyper-modern, luxury apartments to a patch of woods that has multiple homeless tents set up. I found this open accessibility and huge variation in the walks of life found on the B-Line so interesting and huge contributors to the character of the trail.

Wrap-Up

My time spent on the B-Line was great. I was able to exercise, mingle with various Bloomington residents, and experience a part of the city that was completely new to me. Being my first experience walking the trail, I wasn’t able to cover all of it, but looking forward I will definitely return to experience the trail in its entirety. The general mood I had while walking the trail was very positive and I would attribute that to the beautiful and changing scenery. Having a path that changes and develops as you walk it is a unique experience, especially in a downtown city area, and I didn’t take that luxury for granted. Another thing that this walk did for me was highlight a few other interesting public spaces in Bloomington. While walking through the more woodsy parts of the trail I noticed a bunch of signs that gave information and history about other similar public spaces near Bloomington, including Griffey Lake and the Monroe County Lake. The B-Line took me out of my comfort zone and provided an informative and peaceful experience that I am excited to experience again in the future.

Over my three years at IU, I have found the B-Line trail to be one of the best ways to pass the time and get a good workout. I have visited the B-Line numerous times, but on my past couple of trips, I have walked or biked the entirety of the B-Line and the Bloomington Rail Trail.

As you can see in this screenshot, I started at the north B-Line trailhead and went south. I passed through Switchyard Park, where the B-Line trail ends and becomes the Bloomington Rail Trail, another, more rugged, urban trail to the south of the B-Line.

The B-Line features several different kinds of scenery, businesses, and restaurants. My apartment is on the north side of Bloomington, so I took my bike from there to the northmost side of the B-Line. Here, the scenery of the trail is almost completely different compared to the rest. Before the trail crosses North Rodgers Street, it is completely isolated from anything else. The area is parallel to a railroad track and is completely surrounded by woods. I found this area to be a good start for my trip due to the tree canopies creating a shady and cool path. Once the B-Line crosses N Rodgers, the scenery completely changes to being a traditional urban trail. It passes by City Hall and Bloomington Antique Mall, before crossing over 3rd Street. This area of downtown is generally bike friendly due to the lower volume of traffic and numerous bike lanes, so crossing the street on the trail is no problem. I went on Monday, April 3 at around 5 PM, and this area was not busy at all. The amount of traffic does fluctuate based on which day and time you go, as I have been in the same area on a summer weekend at noon, and the area is bustling with walkers and bikers. After crossing 3rd and 2nd Streets, the Seminary Square Kroger is right off the trail. I know this area pretty well, considering I have worked at this Kroger for the past year and a half. Generally, this area is pleasant to walk through during the day, but I would like to see the city place blue light emergency boxes, not just in this area, but all across the B-Line. Once past Kroger, the trail goes past a coffee shop and a brewery, both of which I have yet to try, but plan on doing this summer. After passing this area, I crossed another bridge across West Grimes Lane. Right across this bridge sits Switchyard Park, a former railyard, turned into the largest park in Bloomington. This is where the B-Line ends, but my journey was only half over. Past the B-Line is the Bloomington Rail Trail, an unpaved trail that intersects with the Clear Creek Trail. Once at this intersection, both trails become paved again, and the scenery around both is much like the start of the B-Line. Heavily wooded and isolated from everything, other than a glimpse at the South end of Bloomington. I heavily suggest the Bloomington Rail Trail as a way to stay cool on a hot Indiana summer day, as almost all of it is shaded and surrounded by hills that provide a nice breeze.

While these two pictures were taken on separate days, they speak to the different modes of transportation and scenery along the B-Line.

On my trips, I have come across just about every demographic in Bloomington. Primarily, young adults and college students are using the B-Line, and they are biking, walking, or running. Downtown Bloomington has a host of activities and fun things to do for all demographics, the B-Line being one of them. The B-Line is open to several types of transportation. Like me, there were several cyclists taking advantage of the large multi-use path, along with walkers, scooter riders, and busses. There are several bus stops right off of the B-Line, especially by Kroger. The overall connectivity of the B-Line is good but could be better. There are several parking lots adjacent to the B-Line, but most of these are for businesses or paid parking. The close bus stops also add an easy way to access the trail. The easy connection to the Bloomington Rail Trail and Clear Creek Trail is both convenient and an easy way to continue a walk if you desire. As far as the different land uses around the trail, the city has done an excellent job combining just about every type of business, building, and green space that it possibly can. Grocery stores, bars, restaurants, antique stores, parks, and city hall are all examples of locations that can be found on or very close to the B-Line trail. This encourages someone to switch their transportation habits because they can find almost everything they need within walking distance. The old IU Hospital on the corner of 2nd and Rodgers was just recently torn down, so we can hope to see a new neighborhood and possible green spaces being built in the area.

I love urban trails that use the rails to trails style, and I truly believe that the City of Bloomington has done an excellent job with the B-Line, but some things could be introduced to make the area safer and more enjoyable to our community. As I spoke about earlier, the city could build blue light emergency boxes along the trail. These have been implemented all over IU’s campus as a safety tool and could help keep the B-Line safe for anyone to use, day or night. This could be paired with more lights along the trail as a whole. Most of the trail is lit, but the area around Kroger is not well-lit at all. Adding these two could drastically improve safety along the trail. There are some workout stations along the trail between Kroger and Switchyard Park. Implementing more of these stations along with stats about how long a person has come while walking the trail could add to the health and fitness influence of the B-Line. There is an obvious push from the city to add more to the B-Line through expansion and more infrastructure along it, and that makes me extremely excited for the future of green transportation in Bloomington.

My Journey:

My journey began on foot at the Bridge on West 3rd street near Downtown transit, and I made my way through several streets, including West 2nd street, West 1st street, Dodd’s Street, Allen Street, and S Morton Street, aiming to reach the Bridge on West Grimes Lane near Indiana University campus bus shed. As I walked along West 3rd to West 2nd Streets, I observed a mix of residential and commercial buildings, while on West 2nd and West 1st streets, I encountered commercial buildings, such as Kroger and Wendy’s, alongside smaller shops, and cafes. Moving onto West 1st street and Dodd’s Street, I noticed smaller shops and cafes, providing a more intimate and cozier atmosphere. Finally, as I made my way through Dodd’s Street and Allen Street, I came across more residential buildings with lots of greenery around them, providing a calming and peaceful ambiance. My journey allowed me to see different aspects of the city and experience its diverse neighborhoods.

My Experience:

As I went through the B-line route, I came across two beautiful bridges at the beginning and finish of my trip that were both appealing and gave a terrific view of the town. The stones and benches along the bridges provided a tranquil and serene location to sit and reflect. I noticed several people with their children playing in the play areas near the bridges. The vibrant colors of the buildings added to the overall design of the region, producing a lively and pleasant mood.

As I continued walking, I took in the peaceful environment, enjoying the scent of grass and the sound of raindrops. This added to the overall ambiance, making me feel content and happy.As I walked, I came across many cyclists, joggers, and children playing. It was refreshing to see people enjoying the outdoors, and it reminded me of the importance of staying active and taking care of our physical health. Crossing the road and pavements with cars reminded me of the importance of being mindful and alert while walking in urban areas.

Places I stopped along the way:

During my walk on the B line, I encountered various landmarks, parks, shops, and other points of interest that added to the character and culture of the neighborhood. Here are some of the places I stopped along the way:

Realtor plaza stone with plants around it:

This was a small plaza area with a stone sculpture and some plants surrounding it. It was a nice spot to take a break and appreciate the local art.

Friendly Beasts Cider Company:

This cider company had some excellent graffiti on its walls, which added to the funky vibe of the area. It was a great spot to grab a drink and soak in the local culture.

Marriott Hotel:

The Marriott Hotel was a notable landmark along the B line, and its modern architecture stood out amidst the remaining buildings in the area.

Old factory with graffiti on its walls:

This old factory had some vibrant graffiti on its walls, which added to the industrial charm of the area.

B-line station Dodd’s street:

This station was a hub for the B line and provided easy access to different parts of the trail.

Kroger:

This grocery store was conveniently located beside the B line and was a good spot to stock up on supplies for a longer walk.

Hopscotch coffee:

This coffee shop had a hip and trendy vibe to it, with its colorful decor and friendly staff. It was a great spot to grab a drink and recharge during my walk.

Different residential buildings with vibrant colors:

Along the B line, I noticed several residential buildings with vibrant colors and unique architectural features. These added to the character and charm of the area and provided a nice change of scenery during my walk.

IU campus Bus Shed:

This bus shed was a functional structure which accommodated many IU buses.I had a great view of it from the West Grimes Bridge.

All in all, these stops along the way provided a unique glimpse into the character and culture of the neighborhood. From the vibrant graffiti to the classic architecture, each landmark and point of interest added to the diverse character of the B line.

Experience of the people and what I observed:

As I walked along the B line, I came across a woman who was also walking in the same direction as me. I decided to strike up a conversation with her and asked her how she was finding the B line so far.

She replied that she was really enjoying it and was impressed with the dedicated trail that had been created for all types of users, from walkers and runners to cyclists.

When I asked her about her experiences along the B line, she said she was quite pleased by the variety of surroundings she had seen so far. She also liked how the route changed between urban and natural surroundings, offering a wonderful variety of view.

Overall, the lady seemed very happy with the B line and its offerings and also I have observed that teenagers being absent from the B line, this could be due to a variety of reasons. Perhaps they prefer more fast-paced activities such as skateboarding or playing sports, or maybe they don’t see walking as a desirable activity.

Types of transportation:

As I walked along the B line, I encountered various modes of transportation, such as bicycles, electric scooters, and pedestrians. These different modes of transportation contributed to the overall feel of the B line, creating a dynamic and active atmosphere. The variety of transportation options made the trail accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of their individual preferences or physical abilities.

Connectivity:

The B-line trail is connected to many surrounding neighborhoods and cities through various access points, which make it easily accessible for users.

Bridge – West 3rd Street near Downtown Transit:

This bridge connects the B-line trail with the downtown area, making it easy for users to access the trail from the city center.

Bridge – West Grimes Lane near Indiana University campus bus shed:

This bridge connects the trail to the West Grimes Lane.

West 2nd Street, West 1st Street, Dodds Street, Allen Street, and S Morton Street:

These streets have multiple access points to the B-line trail, making it easily accessible for residents living in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Land uses:

Throughout my journey, I experienced a mix of residential structures, trees, lights, and graffiti, providing a fascinating proximity of the old and the modern. Commercial establishments such as Kroger, Wendy’s, and cafés contributed to the area’s overall metropolitan vibe, reflecting the city’s full of lively activity. Overall, my trip was a blend of sensory sensations, emotions, and reflections, which made me appreciate the city’s beauty and diversity.

Smart city strategies:

Smart Benches with Interactive Lights :

The interactive lights on the benches can change colors or patterns in response to movement or other triggers, making them a fun and engaging feature for trail users.They are equipped with solar panels that power the benches.Smart benches will be an innovative and exciting addition to the B-line trail, demonstrating how technology can be incorporated into public spaces to enhance the user experience and promote sustainability.

Smart B-Line Lighting :

The street lights along the B-line trail should be equipped with a light meter sensor that detects the ambient light levels in the surrounding environment. This sensor enables the street lights to automatically adjust their illumination levels, turning on or off as necessary based on the amount of natural light present outside.By incorporating advanced technology into the design of the street lights along the B-line trail, the trail is demonstrating its commitment to promoting user experience, sustainability, and safety.

References:

https://solar-bench.com/solar-bench/

https://www.mokosmart.com/smart-street-lighting-using-iot/