Dear BVU Community - 

The City of Burnsville has recently been involved in a feasibility study to decide where to build pickleball courts within city limits. Originally, Alimagnet Park was selected for construction. Objections by local residents pushed the city to further investigate other city parks, and two additional proposed locations have a direct impact on BV United programming: Cliff Fen and Rose Park. 

Cliff Fen is host to our Recreational Programming, and the proposed pickleball site is on the playing fields we currently use for our U6 and U8 children. If approved, this would displace our Recreational programming for those age groups, and create a parking challenge for our U10 and older groups. It would also impact the BVU Cup in the Traveling Program, taking away two playing fields for the tournament and creating a challenge for parking and access. It is BV United's belief that Cliff Fen should be removed from consideration, as its impact on community soccer programming would be detrimental to operations and the family experience. 

Rose Park is also under consideration for approval. BV United is in support of this site for pickleball, even though it would remove one U12 playing field from our traveling program. It would create an extended lease with the land owners (Collins Aerospace), which would guarantee access to the other fields on site. We currently have no plan should Collins move to utilize or sell the space we have been using for over 30 years. We are willing to trade one U12 field for guaranteed access to the complex for an extended period of time. 

We also support the original site at Alimagnet Park, and have no opinion on Hollows Park. 

BV United needs your help providing feedback to the City regarding the site selection. You can complete a brief online survey HERE. It takes just a few minutes and will go a LONG WAY in persuading the City Council to make a decision that does not negatively impact BV United. 

There is an opportunity to speak to Council Members in person this Thursday, August 21st between 4:30-6:30pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. If possible, we would recommend this in addition to completing the survey. 

From the City of Burnsville site page: 

Community Input

We're hosting an open house to talk about the feasibility of adding an eight court pickleball facility to Alimagnet, Cliff Fen, Hollows or Rose Park. We'll feature preliminary schematic design layouts and provide an opportunity to speak with staff and the design team. Stop by City Hall Council Chambers anytime Thursday, August 21 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to share your thoughts. 

Thursday, August 21
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 100 Civic Center Pkwy

Next Steps

Following the Burnsville City Council's direction and approval of the second contract amendment, staff and Kimley-Horn has been tasked with conducting a pickleball feasibility study for four parks: Alimagnet Park, Cliff Fen Park, Hollows Park, and Rose Park. The study detailed in the Alimagnet Pickleball Courts Amendment 02 (dated April 25, 2025), includes schematic design and comprehensive community engagement to evaluate the viability of an 8-court dedicated pickleball facility at each site. The study aims to inform the City Council's decision on a preferred site by Fall 2025, with potential construction documents prepared for Summer 2026.

Objectives

• Assess the feasibility of constructing an 8-court pickleball facility at Alimagnet, Cliff Fen, Hollows and Rose Parks through site analysis, traffic, parking, stormwater, noise and protected species assessments.
• Engage the community transparently to gather input, identify priorities, and build trust, ensuring the selected site aligns with community needs.
• Collaborate with Collins Aerospace to evaluate Rose Park’s viability, given its leased status, and secure a long-term land use commitment if selected.
• Deliver comprehensive studies and community feedback to support the City Council’s site selection by Fall 2025.

Thank you for your help supporting BV United, and your quick completion of this survey. 

Chris Boys

President, BV United Soccer Club