Parks board amends Gregory Park pickleball access; insurance and tennis-court concerns remain

The Brainerd City Parks Board on an unrecorded-date special meeting approved an amendment to the proposed pickleball agreement for Gregory Park that gives LEPA members access Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon while retaining a requirement that the association leave at least one court open to the public.

The board adopted the change after extended discussion about scheduling, public access and insurance. Board members said the weekday block was intended to follow neighboring Ironton’s practice and to allow association members regular play while ensuring public players can either rotate in or use a designated open court. The board’s motion was passed by voice vote.

Board and staff said the Pickleball Association has asked the city to pause the agreement while association leaders and the city attorney resolve outstanding language on insurance and indemnification. City staff said they will arrange a conference call with the association and the city attorney to resolve those issues.

Public commenters at the meeting urged the board to reconsider converting tennis courts at Gregory Park. Kent Johnson of 7011 Brown’s Lane said his tennis group uses multiple courts three times a week and said they were surprised by plans to eliminate courts. Meg Douglas of 9084 Delmar Drive and other residents described a long-running tennis tradition at Gregory and asked the board to preserve courts or consider portable nets so tennis and pickleball players can share space.

Board members discussed options including leaving weekends fully open to the public, requiring the association to allow rotation, or leaving one specific court permanently open during the association’s reserved weekday hours to reduce intimidation for new players. The board also discussed whether the original motion’s specification — described at an earlier meeting as Monday through Friday use — had been preserved in the current draft; members agreed to clarify the motion and provide staff direction.

Board members and staff described insurance as the remaining substantive open item. Staff noted that when other groups (baseball, T-ball, YMCA or community events) use city facilities, insurance is required as standard operating procedure; the Pickleball Association asked whether players who rotate in would be covered in the association’s policy or whether the city would retain liability. The board emphasized that the city attorney should make the final determination on that question.

The board directed staff to present the clarified motion and to facilitate further discussions with the Pickleball Association and the city attorney; the agreement will be returned to the board after those items are resolved. No roll-call vote tally was recorded in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote.