OUR OPINION: BRAINERD PARKS

The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board, like most units of government, has ample evidence that these are no ordinary times for public servants. Normally a board that operates without much fanfare or scrutiny, the park board has been in the spotlight of late as it struggles with how to meet the citizens' parks and recreation needs in an era of declining city budgets.

One outcome of this attention, no doubt, is the growing realization that informal group consensus should be replaced by formal votes so clarity and accountability are part of its decision-making process.

(Full disclosure: This editorial was written without participation by Jackie Burkey, a Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board member who also serves as a community representative on the Brainerd Dispatch's editorial board.)

Change is in the wind for Brainerd's park services and we like what we see, so far, of the direction in which policy is headed.

There is a need for a park director - a boss. When everyone is in charge of a project or program, no one is in charge. Now the board may deem to scale back the qualifications and responsibilities of that position but there will still be a need for someone to take the lead on grant writing and administrative issues.

The suggestion of cross-training with members of the street and sewer department is excellent. It will increase flexibility and rectify a possible situation where a big snowfall hits Brainerd and there's a surplus of snow removal equipment and not enough trained operators.

Parks are important to Brainerd. They're used and appreciated by Brainerd citizens and by visitors and neighboring residents. We should have the best possible parks the city can afford in these challenging times. Determining that level of service is the daunting task before the park board.