The Morris City Council meeting held on December 23, 2024, featured a significant discussion regarding the proposed location for a new destination playground. The meeting began with a warm acknowledgment of community members, including representatives from the Friends of Eastside Park, who were invited to share their perspectives on the playground project.

Liz Morrison, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Eastside Park, expressed strong support for the idea of a new playground but raised concerns about the suitability of Eastside Park as its location. Morrison emphasized that Eastside Park is a cherished community space, often referred to as Morris' Town Square, which hosts various events and gatherings. She argued that the park's current use as a peaceful green space would be severely compromised by the installation of a large playground and associated infrastructure.

Morrison highlighted several key issues with the proposed plan, including the park's limited size of just two acres, which is significantly smaller than other parks in Minnesota that host similar playgrounds. She noted that most destination playgrounds are located in parks of at least 11 acres, with many exceeding 20 acres. The Friends of Eastside Park proposed that alternative locations, such as Green River Park and Palm Butteres Park, should be considered for the playground, citing their larger size and existing amenities that could better accommodate such a facility.

Concerns were also raised about the potential loss of mature trees and the impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood, which would face increased traffic and noise. Morrison urged the council to explore these alternative sites further, emphasizing that the community's needs and the preservation of Eastside Park should be prioritized.

The council acknowledged the input from Morrison and the Friends of Eastside Park, indicating a willingness to continue discussions on the playground's location. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the proposed sites and consider the community's feedback in the decision-making process. The council's next steps will involve collaboration with the park board and the NextGen committee to explore viable alternatives for the playground project.