After lengthy debate, board directs staff to build 8‑foot ADA pathway with bollard at Lions Buffalo Hills

The Brainerd City Park and Recreation Board approved moving forward with an 8‑foot accessible pathway and bollard at Lions Buffalo Hills after an extended debate about trees, parking reconfiguration and long‑term costs.

Jesse, the parks staff member, told the board that $25,000 was allocated for 2026 ADA improvements and that roughly $20,000 remained from 2025, providing a combined pool for projects. Staff recommended focusing on projects tied to recent capital work and proposed options for Lum Park, Lions Buffalo Hills and Memorial Park.

Board members weighed competing goals: some argued that a wider 8‑foot path would be more compatible with maintenance equipment and ADA needs and could be split into two 4‑foot clear lanes with a bollard to deter vehicle access; others warned that a wide path through Memorial Park would likely require tree removal and could trigger future netting costs of roughly $50,000 to protect ballfields. The mayor and multiple members urged careful coordination with upcoming parking‑lot and skatepark plans to avoid tearing out newly planted trees.

An initial motion to proceed with a different configuration failed; the board then approved a motion to proceed with an 8‑foot path at Lions Buffalo Hills including a bollard and to reserve remaining funds for later projects. Jesse noted the estimate for Lions Buffalo Hills was roughly $5,000. The board also asked staff to return with costs to pave handicap stalls at JC’s Park and to study whether the Memorial Park path could be designed to save existing trees.

The board asked staff to return with refined cost estimates and feasibility analysis in a future meeting.