North Shore Rotary Club proposes new community park in Brown Deer

During the Village Board Meeting on May 5, 2025, significant discussions centered around the proposed development of North Shore Rotary Park, a project aimed at enhancing community recreation in Brown Deer. The initiative, spearheaded by the North Shore Rotary Club, seeks to transform a vacant lot adjacent to Culver's into a vibrant park featuring pickleball courts and other amenities.

The Rotary Club has expressed a commitment to utilizing its foundation funds, which currently range between $200,000 and $220,000, to support this project. The club's representatives highlighted the growing popularity of pickleball in Wisconsin and the need for dedicated courts, which are currently in short supply. The proposed park aims not only to serve local residents but also to attract visitors from surrounding municipalities, thereby enhancing Brown Deer’s community profile.

To move forward, the village plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage design and engineering services for the park. This step is crucial for determining the project's overall cost and feasibility. The Rotary Club has proposed a matching campaign to raise an additional $75,000, which could potentially bring the total funding to between $275,000 and $300,000, covering most of the park's development costs.

The discussions also touched on the importance of community involvement in the park's upkeep, with Rotary members expressing a desire to participate in maintenance and volunteer activities. This collaborative approach aims to foster a sense of ownership among residents and ensure the park remains a valuable community asset.

Next steps include finalizing the RFP process, with a target date of July 7 for presenting a contract for design services and establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the village and the Rotary Club. This MOU will outline the financial contributions and responsibilities of both parties, ensuring a clear framework for the project's execution.

Overall, the North Shore Rotary Park project represents a significant opportunity for Brown Deer to enhance its recreational offerings, promote community engagement, and attract visitors, aligning with the village's vision of being "a place to play" in the North Shore region.