The Burnsville City Council meeting on April 8, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding the proposed pickleball complex at Almagnet Park, which has drawn objections from local environmental advocates. The president of the Lake Association and Alamo Magnet Eco Advocates expressed concerns about the chosen location, emphasizing that their opposition is not to pickleball itself, but to the potential environmental impacts of the project.

The advocates highlighted their extensive community engagement efforts, including presentations, research, and petitions, to demonstrate that the decision-making process should reflect the community's needs and desires. They referenced the 2024 parks plan, which stresses the importance of evidence-based decision-making in city investments.

During the meeting, the advocates criticized the lack of substantial data supporting the need for pickleball facilities in Burnsville, noting that city staff provided only anecdotal evidence. They pointed out that the top community request was for trails, not pickleball courts. Additionally, they raised concerns about the environmental degradation that could result from adding hard surfaces to the park, which could increase runoff into the already impaired Almagnet Lake.

The advocates also questioned the city's sound study, arguing that it failed to accurately simulate noise levels from the proposed pickleball site. They asserted that the study did not adequately address the potential for increased noise pollution affecting nearby residential areas.

In conclusion, the advocates called for a reevaluation of the project, citing insufficient justification for the proposed location and the potential environmental harm. They urged the city to consider alternative sites that would not compromise the ecological integrity of Almagnet Park. The discussion underscores ongoing tensions between recreational development and environmental preservation in Burnsville.