Whitney Park’s Pickleball Upgrade: Whitney Regional Park in St. Cloud is getting a $5.7 million upgrade. Plans include new pickleball courts, trail repairs, and a playground. Most funding comes from sales tax dollars and donations. The St. Cloud City Council will vote Monday to approve an agreement with Knife River Corporation to start construction.
Major Park Improvements Planned
The city plans to build an eight-court pickleball complex at Whitney Park. Northern Paddles Pickleball Club is donating $101,500 to help fund the new courts. Other improvements include paving work and trail upgrades.
“The trails out there have been in rough condition for many years, lots of folks have noticed the decline, and we want to do a refresh,” said Community Services and Facilities Director Scott Zlotnik.
More Updates Across the Park
The project will also add new baseball field lighting and a new playground.
“We did have a tennis facility out there that was removed on the south end of the park by the old Whitney Airport runway and as part of this project we’re going to take out the last little piece of cobble and replace it with a new playground and some turf that’s more appropriate for a regional park.” – (Zlotnik)
Zlotnik added that Whitney Park has been part of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for many years. He said the park, which covers over 138 acres and was created in 1933, serves tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Looking Ahead to More Changes
This round of upgrades is expected to be just phase one. Zlotnik said future improvements could add more athletic facilities. He also noted that the park would remain open as much as possible during the construction work. The last major investment in Whitney Park happened about 21 years ago when $200,000 was spent.
Whitney Park’s Future Impact
If approved, the project will bring big changes to one of St. Cloud’s busiest parks. Adding pickleball courts and better trails could attract even more visitors. A successful first phase could lead to further upgrades, making Whitney Park an even bigger asset for the city’s residents and guests.
News in Brief: Whitney Park’s Pickleball Upgrade
St. Cloud plans a $5.7 million upgrade for Whitney Park, adding pickleball courts, trails, and playgrounds. Funding comes from sales tax and donations. The city council votes Monday to move the project forward. Improvements will refresh one of the city’s most-used parks, which has served visitors since 1933.
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