Rogers Family Park (Goat Farm)

Rogers Family Park, previously known as the Goat Farm (32.6 acres), is located at 2000 E Winslow Rd. The Jackson Creek Trail runs through the property and connects to Sherwood Oaks Park and Olcott Park. Accessible parking and trail access is located at Sherwood Oaks Park.

The park features a large barn and expansive prairie. Natural trails have been mowed throughout the property to allow users to circle the park.

The Bloomington Park and Recreation Foundation (now known as the Bloomington Parks Foundation) on behalf of the City of Bloomington, accepted a donation of 31.5 acres of land known as the "Goat Farm", valued at more than $870,000, from the Sherman Rogers family on June 19, 2007.

According to the donation agreement, the deed to the Goat Farm property will be held by the Foundation, while the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department will manage the area solely for public recreational purposes and passive green space. The Foundation also agreed that protecting water quality in Jackson Creek, which runs through the property, will remain one of the Goat Farm's primary functions.

Rogers Family Park Dedication-The Parks and Recreation Department hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting in August 2023 to celebrate the completion of the Rogers Family Park project (formerly known as Goat Farm Park). The improvements to the park, including new walking paths and boardwalks, a permeable paver parking lot, new seating areas, and exterior improvements to the barn were all made possible by a generous donation from the Sherman and Meredith Rogers Family. The donation also commissioned a new piece of public art by Jonathan Racek titled 'FLEET/ing', which has been installed near the barn.

Jackson Creek Trail
Report a problem at the Goat Farm here.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Park Property Rules

Video of Goat Farm.

Additional Information

Good For

Families

Dogs

Wheelchairs

Activities

Dog Walking

Walking

Running

Trail Running

Birdwatching

Wildlife Watching

Rollerblading

Road Biking

Orienteering

Rules & Regulations

Dogs On Leash

No Illegal Substances

No Campfires

No Camping

No Motorized

No Horses

Pack Out Dog Waste

Accessibility Description

Limited parking at Jackson Creek Trail entryway
Paved, flat walkways
Benches placed along walkway
Rogers Family Park connects to Sherwood Oaks Park and Olcott Park.

Goat Farm Prairie Project

The Bloomington Environmental Commission asked the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department to consider creating a native prairie planting at one of its properties. A prairie that includes a diversity of plant species is beneficial to pollinators, or animals that move pollen from one part of the flower of a plant to another part. Common pollinator species include bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, spiders, flies, and wasps.

The chimney swifts using the chimney swift towers at the Goat Farm, and the bluebirds in the park's bluebird boxes, will also benefit from the increased food sources the prairie will provide. In addition, prairie plants will help strain flood debris and improve the water quality of Jackson Creek.

A mowed path around the proposed prairie, next to the Jackson Creek Trail, and around the Goat Farm barn will allow park users safe access to those places.

The planned five-acre prairie will replace the current field of fescue that is growing in the Goat Farm between Winslow Road and the Goat Farm barn. The fescue must be completely removed with a treatment of herbicide before the prairie is planted with a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers in spring 2017. The current maintenance plan calls for removal of woody plants and invasive species from the site, and for periodic mowing of the new prairie to prevent taller grasses from shading out smaller species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife will both contribute expertise and resources toward the prairie project.