Pickleball group withdraws request to convert Gregory Park tennis courts after neighborhood pushback

Brainerd Parks and Recreation staff told the board that the Brainerd Area Pickleball Association has withdrawn a formal request to convert the three-court section of Gregory Park to permanent pickleball courts, after residents and local tennis players raised concerns about neighborhood impacts and current court usage.

The withdrawal came during agenda item Gregory Park Tennis Court Usage and later in the pickleball-agreement discussion. Kayla (parks staff) opened the pickleball item with a formal apology to the Northside neighborhood for not doing earlier public outreach; she said that, working with the association and other groups, the association has decided to pull its request for a permanent conversion at Gregory Park and will focus on fundraising for a separate complex. Kayla also said the group is still interested in a limited presence at Gregory Park through temporary courts and banners following the city's banner…