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Park Board reviews pickleball proposal; staff drafting memorandum of understanding
Summary
Park staff said a formal MOU is being drafted with a pickleball group that plans to raise funds for construction on park land; board members stressed no final decision has been made and staff will present the MOU at the next meeting.
Park staff told the Brainerd City Park Board on Jan. 28 that a local pickleball group is ready to raise funds for new courts but that the city plans to use a formal memorandum of understanding before construction can begin. Staff said the MOU is necessary because the proposed work would happen on city-owned land and deals with control of construction and maintenance.
Staff said they are refining the MOU and will circulate it to the city attorney for review; the document is expected at the board’s next meeting. Board members emphasized the board has not yet approved the MOU and that the city has not made a final decision. Jonathan, a board member, said, “I just wanted to make sure...we haven't made a concrete decision on that yet,” underscoring that the board has discussed drafting an MOU but has not voted to sign one.
Staff also said the pickleball proposal could affect existing tennis players because some tennis courts would be removed to make room for pickleball. Staff have attempted to contact tennis players to discuss impacts but had not yet received responses. No formal action or vote on the MOU took place at the Jan. 28 meeting; staff indicated they will present the completed MOU at the next session for board consideration.
