Parks commission votes to pursue Becklin Park acquisition with Trust for Public Lands' help

The Isanti County Parks & Recreation Commission voted May 26 to pursue acquisition of a privately held parcel known as Becklin Park after the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) entered negotiations with the property owner.

The commission’s vote, moved by Commissioner Hazel Erikson and seconded by Commissioner Bob Betsinger, carried after several commissioners raised concerns about the county covering the value of existing structures on the site. TPL has indicated it can access Outdoor Heritage Council Legacy Funds to purchase the land and donate it to Isanti County, but the county would be responsible for the structures’ value, according to staff updates at the meeting.

Commissioner Luke Merrill said he did not favor investing county funds in the property’s buildings, while Commissioner Bill Berg noted the acquisition would expand park acreage amid local development pressures and suggested the county explore revenue options such as short-term rental of on-site structures. The commission did not adopt any final funding plan at the meeting.

Isanti County Parks Director Barry Wendorf provided the update and said staff will follow up with TPL on next steps. No vote tallies were recorded in the minutes; the meeting record states only that the motion “carried.”

Next procedural steps reported were continued negotiations by TPL and follow-up by county staff; the commission set no additional conditions or funding commitments during the May 26 meeting.