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Isanti approves application for state outdoor-recreation grant to fund pickleball courts and skate-park phase
Summary
Council authorized submitting a Minnesota DNR outdoor recreation grant application to fund eight pickleball courts and remaining skate-park work, agreeing to a local match (approximately $138,500) and adding lighting and small accessories to the application to strengthen it.
City staff asked the council March 10 for permission to apply for a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources outdoor recreation grant to support Bluebird Park improvements, including an eight-court pickleball complex (estimated $200,000) and remaining skate-park work ($77,000), with a required local match (SEG 3596–3853).
Council discussed match requirements and potential in-kind donations. Staff noted state grants are reimbursement-based and typically require a 50% match; some in-kind contribution rules cap what may be counted toward the match. Staff recommended council be prepared to provide park-dedication funds if necessary; city staff estimated the city’s potential cash obligation at $138,500 in a worst-case scenario (SEG 3631–3672).
Council suggested adding small, high-impact items such as pad lighting on the pleasure rink and seating or benches for pickleball courts to round out the application and demonstrate broad community benefit. Fundraising efforts from local partners were discussed as a way to reduce the city’s cash match exposure (SEG 3760–3830).
Council authorized submission of the grant application and directed staff to include reasonable accessory items (lighting and benches) to strengthen the application while urging realistic cost estimates to reduce the risk of unplanned city contribution. Staff said the application deadline was March 31 and requested prompt direction (SEG 3630–3652).
Quote: "We could go from 200 to 150 and apply for that, you have the percent—you have the likelihood to save $25,000 of our park dedication money," one council member noted during the budget conversation (SEG 3724–3728).
