In response to a social media flurry, the City of Bloomington has temporarily renamed a retention pond after Indiana All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
The pond is located in Miller Showers Park between Walnut Street and College Avenue.
The movement started in earnest soon after Ponds intercepted the opening pass of Indiana’s national semifinal game against Oregon and returned it for a touchdown.
Below is a photo of the park and pond via Google Maps. The full release from the city is further below.
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January 13, 2026
For more information, please contact
Desiree DeMolina, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
comms@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3406
Bloomington Temporarily Renames Retention Pond in Spirit and Valiant Defense
In a city known for a healthy appreciation for whimsy, Bloomington has once again risen to the moment. After a standout Peach Bowl performance by Indiana University football and a social media conversation that refused to be ignored, a grassroots call emerged to rename the retention pond at Miller-Showers Park “D’Angelo’s Pond.”
For the remainder of this week, the City of Bloomington will recognize the pond with this honorary, unofficial name as the community rallies behind the Hoosiers and looks ahead to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Located downtown, Miller-Showers Park is already a symbol of sustainability, public art, and thoughtful design. Like a great cornerback, a well-designed stormwater pond knows how to contain and protect. The retention pond captures runoff, slows water during heavy rain, filters pollutants, and helps keep Bloomington’s waterways and neighborhoods safer downstream.
“This is peak Bloomington,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “It’s playful, communal, and exactly the kind of wholesome quirk that makes our city so special.”
To be clear (because we are still City government):
-This is an honorary, temporary name
-No maps are changing and no signs are being installed
-The pond remains a retention pond
-The vibes, however, are permanent
-Residents and fans are encouraged to join the fun on social media by sharing photos, posts, and good-natured cheer as Bloomington prepares for the January 19th game.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Mayor at 812-349-3406 or comms@bloomington.in.gov.
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