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Parks director: Gull Lake Trail punch list nearly closed; $500,000 matched to playground grant
Summary
Parks staff told residents that Gull Lake Trail bids came in under budget allowing a restroom addition, the community center received interior repairs and siding work is nearly complete, and the council has set aside $500,000 as a match for a DNR playground grant whose outcome will be announced later this month.
Amber Moon Peterson, Nisswa’s parks and recreation director, outlined two active projects at the June town hall: interior and mechanical repairs at the community center (carpet, bathrooms, a new water heater and siding repairs) and the second phase of the Gull Lake Trail on County Road 77. Bids for the trail came in under budget, and surplus funds will be used to add a bathroom at Nisswa Lake Park.
Peterson said the parks commission has prioritized a new playground at City Park. The council transferred $500,000 to parks in December to serve as matching funds for a DNR grant application submitted in March; staff will learn the award decision later this month. The playground design will move forward with additional community engagement if the grant is awarded.
On remaining items, Peterson reported the Gull Lake Trail is in the final punch-list stage; an engineer inspected a retaining wall after winter damage and deemed it structurally sound. Council and staff noted the hockey rink has aging cooling and concrete infrastructure; pressure testing showed the rink piping currently holds, but long-term replacement or major repair remains a concern.
Residents asked about live-streaming the community center; staff said AV upgrades are a future CIP item and not currently budgeted. Renderings and a conceptual video for the park plan are available on the city website and at city hall for public review.
