Progress & Industry: Park & rec progress
By:
Staff report
From pickleball to plans for pool improvements, parks and rec progress in 2019 included:
• The city commissioned a master plan of Aspen Park by ISG, a local engineering firm, and held two public forums to gather feedback and ideas. The plan presented potential options for making the most of the 40 acres of park space, including a dog park, additional ball fields and an indoor hockey rink.
• The city commissioned an RFP for a splash pad at the public pool and approved a motion to allocate $1.6 million in pool improvements to be made in the fall of 2020.
“That’s one I’ve tried real hard to get some action on,” said mayor Paul Lundberg. “I think it’s very evident that the citizens of Brandon want improvements to the pool.”
Those improvements will start in the fall of 2020 and include a splash pad, bigger slides and more concreted lounging space in the parameter.
• The Brandon Municipal Golf Course marked 40 years in 2019, and gained new management. Andrew Bauer, who previously held the role of assistant golf pro/manager, succeeded Zane Swenson.
• Pickleball picks up popularity in Brandon – so much so that the city created four new pickleball courts and painted a pickleball playing surface at the Aspen Park tennis courts in August.
• Brandon, a Tree City, U.S.A. community, recognized that status and Arbor Day in November with the planting of eight trees at the sitting area north of the water tower. The Lion Den from Cub Scout Pack 582 assisted city park supervisor Devin Coughlin with the ceremonial planting. The trees were compliments of Modern Woodmen.
