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Residents press Brainerd City Council to preserve Gustoson Park; park board review expected
Summary
Multiple residents told the Brainerd City Council on Jan. 5 that Gustoson Park is heavily used by children, informal sports and the Y and urged the council to seek alternatives to proposed housing development. Staff said the park board will consider a formal recommendation at the end of January and the council will revisit the item in early February.
During the public‑comment period at the Jan. 5 Brainerd City Council meeting, several neighborhood residents urged council members to protect Gustoson Park from proposed development.
"Losing that would be detrimental to the children... losing that asset just for a few houses probably may not be worth it," said Logan Clish, who identified himself as a nearby resident. PJ Larson said the park is the nearest and most accessible green space for residents with disabilities and families who walk to the fields. Nathan Seir described frequent informal uses—flag football, T‑ball and neighborhood gatherings—and said development would eliminate a nearby place families regularly use.
Council and staff responses: Councilmember Jeff Chzach asked for an update on the status of the park review. Planning and parks staff said they had prepared a memo and expect the park board to consider a formal recommendation at its meeting at the end of January; the council was told the item would return to the council at the beginning of February with survey-cost information and staff recommendations. Administrator Royals confirmed staff will provide the requested information.
Why it matters: Gustoson Park is used by organized and informal youth activities and by residents who rely on walkable green space. Residents argued that alternative buildable lots exist nearby, including tax‑forfeited wooded parcels, and asked the city to prioritize retaining the park or exploring other development sites first.
Next steps: Park board consideration is expected at the end of January; council follow-up is likely on the first meeting in February. Residents and council members asked staff to provide fuller background materials, the full development proposal and survey/cost details before council action is scheduled.
