The Village of Brown Deer Board of Trustees approved a service agreement with a design firm and a memorandum of understanding with the North Shore Rotary Club to begin design and fundraising for a new park on a parcel south of Culver’s.

The project covers a floodplain parcel where stormwater control is the primary constraint; the design emphasis will be on natural landscape and stormwater retention while allowing for recreational uses. The Rotary Club has committed about $200,000 toward the project and told the board it aims to raise additional funds.

Tyler (staff member) and other staff briefed trustees on the firm-selection process; staff said they solicited roughly five firms and recommended Bierbecker (a firm with landscape-architecture capacity) because the floodplain and stormwater goals make a landscape architect’s expertise important. The board reviewed a memorandum of understanding that would formalize the Rotary Club’s donation and specify that construction contracts will be executed by the village and then reimbursed by the Rotary; the MOU also includes naming-rights language with a 50-year term.

Brian (Rotary representative) told trustees the Rotary and its foundation have about $215,000 on hand and are committed to raising at least another $75,000. Staff estimated a broad cost range for a fully built park between about $400,000 and $800,000; trustees and Rotary representatives discussed phased construction, with an initial phase that could include parking and several courts and later phases adding amenities such as additional courts, landscaping, a pavilion or portable restrooms as funds permit. Brian said more extensive built elements such as a pavilion and lighting could greatly increase costs and that a very high-end buildout could reach multiple millions depending on scope.

Trustees questioned long-term maintenance and ownership responsibilities. Staff and the Rotary said the village would ultimately be responsible for completion and long-term maintenance if fundraising fell short; the design will prioritize low-maintenance features because the site will require ongoing upkeep if built out.

Trustee Greaves moved to approve the service agreement with the recommended design firm; Trustee Johnson seconded and the motion carried. Trustee Thompson moved to approve the MOU with the North Shore Rotary Club; Trustee Booker seconded and the motion carried.

Next steps include executing the service agreement, completing design work that will show phased options, and continuing Rotary fundraising. Staff noted coordination with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) will be necessary because of stormwater management goals for the parcel.