Residents say city didn’t meaningfully engage before naming Alameda Park for pickleball complex

Speakers at a Burnsville City Council meeting urged the council to delay a planned April 15 decision on the location of a proposed pickleball complex, saying the city has not meaningfully engaged the community and that public input was not factored into staff recommendations.

A resident who identified herself as a member of Alameda Eco Advocates told the council, “We are not anti pickleball. We are anti pickleball location at LA Made Network.” She said her group has submitted comments, filed dozens of FOIA requests and met with the city manager and staff but that the city has not responded to many concerns.

The resident said she and other advocates met with the city manager, “Aaron” and “Daryl” and were told the comments posted after a council work session were not included in the staff presentation. “Imagine our shock,” she said, “when we were told by that same parks director that the comments made after the…