Lake Elmo commission accepts paddle racks and drink holders from pickleball group, rejects portable fencing and benches

The Lake Elmo Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday voted to accept two small donated items for public pickleball courts while declining other donated pieces that staff and commissioners described as unsafe or likely to create maintenance liability.

The Lake Elmo Pickleball Friends offered several items for the city’s courts at Pebble Park — two wooden benches, a paddle rack, a drink rack and a portable fence used to divide north and south courts. Staff recommended not formally accepting the donation as a city asset because the items appeared to be temporary or DIY and would create future upkeep obligations. Commissioners discussed safety and liability concerns about the fencing and whether donated benches should meet vendor standards.

Motion and outcome: A motion to accept only the paddle rack and drink holders, reject the fence and benches, and provide donors guidance on making items permanent passed 4–3. Commissioners noted donors may still use portable items on a temporary basis but that anything the city accepts as a donation should be manufactured to park standards and have a plan for long‑term care.

Why it matters: Park staff said the city previously removed nets on an aging multi‑use surface because of cracking and trip hazards, and staff worried permanent additions transferred to the city would increase maintenance costs. Commissioners and several park users supported paddle racks and drink holders as low-risk amenities that help organize court use; they repeatedly rejected the portable green fencing shown in staff photos as inadequate and potentially unsafe.

Staff and players: Adam (Parks staff) said the city lacked budgeted funds to add permanent, higher-cost fencing when the courts were first built and that existing perimeter fencing may not support additional attachments. A park user and player who inspected the donated items told commissioners the paddle racks appeared serviceable but that the plastic fence had been repeatedly knocked over and would not perform as a long-term noise or ball-control barrier.

Ending: The commission directed staff to tell donors the paddle rack and drink holders may be accepted for temporary placement this season with the understanding the city reserves the right to remove donated items that present safety or maintenance issues; the commission recommended donors consider purchasing vendor-grade benches and permanent fixtures if they wish to gift them to the city.