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Walt Bittner Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 88 Google reviews · Running trail in Bloomington, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Walt Bittner Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Public park named for a former mayor, with several sports fields & courts, picnicking & a trail.

What runners say about Walt Bittner Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (88 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The playground is mostly wood with fun sturdy, plastic slides in great condition.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Very family friendly with lots of room to play or organize a gathering”

Review Date: June 10th, 2015 It’s not Walt Disney World but it’s a fine park for Central Illinois! Walt Bittner Park is named after a former Mayor of Bloomington who was an advocate for parks, recreations and zoos.

★★★★★ — Joshua , Sep 2022

This is a nice park! It has a picnic shelter, large playground, and a short trail. It also has a basketball court.

★★★★☆ — Yufeng , Jul 2022

Fantastic park. Just needs a fresh coat of paint. Short lovely trail, circling a lush field set up for baseball but perfect for soccer scrimmage as well. Picnic gazebo overlooking a HAGS brand playground for all ages. The playground is mostly wood with fun sturdy, plastic slides in great condition.

★★★★☆ — L. , Oct 2020

Great park! I wish the trail around it was plowed when it snows! There is basketball, playground, walking trail and large open space.

★★★★☆ — Aaron , Jan 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 88 reviews →

Plan your run at Walt Bittner Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitecityblm.org
  • Phone(309) 434-2260

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Walt Bittner Park

3807 Rave Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704

Get directions

Running trails near Bloomington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Tipton Park

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PavedShaded

Recreation area with baseball fields & a walking trail, plus a playground & splash park for kids.

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McGraw Park

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ShadedScenic

Landscaped park with a playground, splash pad & water fountain, plus soccer & baseball fields.

1.6 miles away

Shepard Park

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Basketball court, playground and dog-friendly area at this well-maintained park.

2.1 miles away

Blackstone Trails

4 ★★★★☆ 7 reviews

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2.3 miles away

Ewing Park I

4.5 ★★★★★ 361 reviews

Bloomington, IL

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Large public area featuring playgrounds, a playground for small children, trails, baseball diamonds and picnic spots.

3.4 miles away

Gaelic Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 114 reviews

Bloomington, IL

Small, clean neighborhood park featuring basketball courts, a baseball field, and a playground.

3.7 miles away

All running trails in Bloomington, IL →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.