Park board greenlights master plan process and grant‑writing for Buffalo Hills, recommends renaming to 'Lions Park'

The Brainerd Park Board voted to prioritize a master‑plan design for Buffalo Hills and to pursue professional grant‑writing support to help fund upgrades, after hearing volunteers from the Lions Club present fundraising and amenity ideas. The board also voted to recommend a name change—dropping "Buffalo Hills" to the proposed 'Lions Park'—and asked that city council formally designate which parcels fall under park‑board jurisdiction before finalizing any renaming.

Lions Club representatives described an effort to raise private and grant funds for an all‑inclusive park—possibilities included a pickleball complex, an accessible play surface and a multiuse trail. Staff and board members agreed that a stronger grant application typically requires a design or master plan and matching city funds; the board approved a motion for the city to apply for a Sourcewell grant aimed at covering professional grant‑writing costs and asked that master‑plan design work begin as the first step.

Board members discussed sequencing and timing: a design kickoff meeting and a conceptual plan presentation could take roughly two to three months of work, with follow‑up master‑plan refinements before major grant applications. The board amended the grant motion to require master‑plan design before significant grant commitments and approved a separate motion allowing the Lions Club to seek grants and donations in support of the master plan once the plan is aligned with city direction.

The board also raised logistics for a potential name change, including sign replacement costs and the legal step of a council resolution. Members voted to recommend the name change to city council and to ask council to confirm the park boundaries and jurisdictional authority before any formal name change occurs.