Park board recommends keeping Gustoson site as parkland after residents urge preservation

The Brainerd City Park and Recreation Board voted to recommend that the City Council retain the Gustoson site as parkland after staff presented preliminary development plans and residents described regular recreational use of the open space.

Staff planner James summarized a concept showing “probably between six and seven lots” with a mix of duplexes and single-family homes and noted that typical lot prices in the city range “around 15 to 30,000.” He told the board the staff role for this meeting was to gather feedback the council would use at its February 2 meeting.

At the public forum, neighborhood residents pushed back against converting the site to housing. “I bought the house a couple years ago; I bought it primarily because the park was right there,” said Logan, who described using the field regularly for soccer and family recreation. Lydia Camping said the space is important for informal play, “I don't think it should be for houses… it should just be for people that want to play over there and spend time with their family.”

Board members debated the trade-offs between adding housing and preserving green space. John JD, a newly seated board member, said the city needs housing but acknowledged the board's limited authority because Gustoson is not currently designated parkland. Board member Dave reminded colleagues the board's recommendation would be advisory to the City Council and urged the board to clearly state its sentiment.

A motion to recommend that the council retain or designate the parcel as parkland and oppose development carried on a roll call vote: Mickelson — yes; Miller — yes; Shipe — yes; Burns — no. The board's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.

Next steps: staff will include the board's recommendation in the council packet for the February 2 meeting; the council will make the final decision on the site's designation and any development plan.