Phase 2: Bloomington's 'Cool Corridors' Project!

What is a Cool Corridor?

The City of Bloomington and CanopyBloomington, a nonprofit whose mission supports and expands the community’s urban forest, are collaborating to combat extreme heat and improve air quality across Bloomington’s neighborhoods that have historically had less access to the benefits of a healthy urban forest. The purpose of the cool corridors is to create sidewalks shaded with native tree species for neighborhoods and places of interest such as schools, commercial areas, and bus stops that are particularly susceptible to excessive heat and reduced air quality. The Cool Corridors Project will enhance Bloomington’s overall climate resilience and human health. Extreme heat can cause or exacerbate a variety of illnesses, including asthma, but studies show that shaded areas can be up to 15 degrees cooler. To read more about the City's 2024 HeatWatch campaign, please visit here.

Phase 1: Crestmont and Walnut Woods Neighborhoods

In March 2025, CanopyBloomington received $50,000 from the City’s Sustainability and Economic Development office to plant 100 trees to create cool corridors in the Crestmont and Walnut Woods neighborhoods. Canopy’s goal was to center Crestmont and Walnut Woods residents in the planning, outreach, and implementation of this project. As with every neighborhood Canopy plants with, this began with meeting resident leadership, talking about the goals of the initiative and developing relationships with those who can facilitate communication with the neighborhood. In order to reach all residents, Canopy went door-to-door to every neighborhood household, with the goal of leaving no resident behind. If Canopy spoke to residents in-person, they were asked to share their thoughts and ideas and were invited to a community meeting/potluck with Canopy to ask questions or voice any concerns. Canopy recognizes that every resident has a different capacity for involvement and asked residents to participate and contribute to the extent they were willing and interested. 

On March 8, 2025, Canopy helped the City of Bloomington launch the Cool Corridors project, by planting 66 trees in right-of-way areas along several of the streets in the Crestmont neighborhood. This was accomplished with the help of 96 volunteers (with over 60 of these coming from the organizations of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, IU Corps, Civic Leaders Center).

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On March 28th, 2026, CanopyBloomington, along with 62 residents and volunteers including Bloomington scout troops, Monroe County 4-H Junior Leaders, the Black Student Union at Indiana University, and the Global Medical Missions Alliance, planted 59 trees in Walnut Woods, Bayberry, Summit Pointe, and along Miller Drive.

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Canopy is providing maintenance to all of these trees because not only does it has a positive impact on trees, but it also improves the monetary value of the urban forest and encourages community building. Young trees that survive the establishment phase, contribute to increasing canopy cover, shade, use of outdoor spaces, and their projected value. Proper maintenance decreases their costs over time by increasing overall health and limiting the need for tree removals.

Phase 2: 3rd and Bypass

Starting this fall 2026, Canopy is preparing our community outreach efforts to create a cool corridor in the 3rd and Bypass area. This area is right above Bloomington's college mall and is made up of a mix of businesses and apartment complexes. In an effort to engage and connect with this community, Canopy is taking a multi-tiered approach. This includes attending neighborhood association meetings, going door-to-door to meet residents, hosting informational and educational potlucks, and making the tree plantings festive events with food, music and remarks. The goal is to reach every single resident in each neighborhood, inviting them to take part in the health and growth of their urban tree canopy. One of the community organizations is St. Mark's United Methodist Church who we hope to work with to strengthen our ties to the community. Our work will be supported by Indiana University's Urban Forest Management taught by Sarah Mincey.

CanopyBloomington is excited to begin the next phase of the Cool Corridor project to help increase Bloomington's urban tree canopy and shade residents as they are walking in the community. Trees are vital infrastructure in our cities, especially in high-heat and high-priority areas, and we are thankful for our collaboration with the City of Bloomington to help make Cool Corridors a reality.