A central point of the meeting was the debate over securing city council approval for the playground’s budget. The commission is aiming for a budget of $700,000 to cover all necessary expenses related to the playground, including engineering, which is important for grant applications. The need to present a well-structured plan to the city council was emphasized, with the commission advocating for a firm commitment of funds. A $350,000 city commitment is required to match the DNR grant, and the grant application must be submitted by the end of March.

Discussion ensued over the feasibility of breaking the project into phases, with phase 1A focusing on the playground and phase 1B addressing the pickleball courts. The commission considered using wood chips instead of a more expensive poured-in-place surface to reduce the playground’s cost by up to $250,000, potentially making the proposal more palatable to the city council. The proposal was to seek council approval for the playground budget, even without the grant, and to pursue the grant for the pickleball courts.

The commission members acknowledged the importance of clear communication with the city council regarding the funding request for the master plan, which includes both the playground and pickleball courts. They recommended keeping the funding request terminology broad to allow for flexible use of the funds within phase one. There was consensus that the playground should be prioritized, with the possibility of redirecting surplus funds to the pickleball courts if the playground costs less than the allocated budget.

The meeting also addressed community engagement and fundraising strategies. A survey conducted among local business owners revealed mixed responses to a proposal for a local option sales tax to fund park improvements, with most business owners opposing it. However, there was enthusiasm for fundraising efforts, and the commission considered re-establishing a fundraising committee or collaborating with existing groups to energize fundraising activities. The Nisswa Enrichment Fund was mentioned as a potential avenue for housing funds raised for park improvements.

The importance of a clear and concise approach to fundraising was underscored, with recommendations to set specific financial goals and use visual aids, such as renderings or videos, to communicate the project to the public and potential donors effectively. Past fundraising efforts were criticized for lacking clarity, and the commission was urged to create a comprehensive fundraising toolkit to facilitate community involvement.

In addition to the playground and pickleball courts, the commission discussed other park-related updates, including the maintenance of the hockey rink and lighting upgrades deemed essential for safety. The estimated costs for these upgrades range from $130,000 to $150,000, prompting recommendations to prioritize lighting improvements before addressing other park developments.

The meeting concluded with discussions on filling a vacancy on the commission, as two members’ terms were nearing completion. One member confirmed their intention to seek another term, while another decided not to continue, prompting the start of the application process for the open position. Additionally, the commission was reminded of the upcoming city council update on November 18th and the next commission meeting on December 4th.