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Isanti council postpones decision on removing courts at Whisper Ridge Park after residents ask for outreach
Summary
City staff recommended removing deteriorated courts at Whisper Ridge Park and returning the area to green space due to low use and access issues. After residents and councilors raised concerns about losing a neighborhood amenity, the council voted 5-0 to postpone the decision to Aug. 20 and directed staff to conduct neighborhood outreach.
City staff recommended removing the aging basketball and tennis courts at Whisper Ridge Park, returning the area to green space and recycling the equipment, citing limited use, degrading pavement and no nearby parking. At the July 16 meeting, councilors and members of the public pushed back, urging the city to survey nearby residents before removing an amenity some neighborhood children still use.
Staff told council that the 2022 comprehensive park, trails and open space plan recommended the courts not be replaced upon deterioration and that removal would be a minimal-cost operation (staff estimated under $1,000 to remove equipment). Staff also cited limited pedestrian access and recurring trash and dog-waste issues. "I've never seen anybody in the park personally myself," the Public Works representative said, while acknowledging some residents do use it.
Council members objected to removing the courts without a replacement plan. One councilor said resurfacing or reconstruction is expensive; the administrator said a minimum reconstruction cost would be about $45,000. Resident Kim Martin (105 Fifth Avenue SW) urged staff to ask nearby neighbors directly whether they want the court removed or repurposed.
After discussing outreach methods (mail surveys, door postings, Facebook posts) and the city's 700-foot notice radius, the council voted to postpone the decision to the Aug. 20 council meeting to give staff time to survey surrounding residents and return with results.
The council's postponement means no immediate demolition or conversion will occur; staff will perform outreach and report back at the next meeting.
