Pickleball Is Coming to East Gull Lake: Courts Proposed at the City Park

East Gull Lake is a small town, just over a thousand year-round residents, but it thinks big about recreation. The latest example: in June 2026, the city council discussed a $301,000 quote to build 10 pickleball courts and one tennis court at a new site, because the existing courts at the city park are not available. It is a proposal, not a done deal, but it tells you where the community's energy is, and pickleball has become a growing part of lake-town life across the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Why new courts?

The city's existing tennis and pickleball courts are unavailable, and rather than simply repair the old site, the council looked at building new courts on a new site. At the June 2, 2026 council meeting, a $301,000 quote from Anderson Brothers to build 10 pickleball courts and one tennis court was discussed. Ten pickleball courts is a serious build-out, the kind that draws players from across the area, not just the immediate neighborhood.

What does a project like this take?

Nothing is built yet. The quote was discussed at a council meeting, which is the first step in a longer process that typically includes site selection, design work, budgeting, and a council vote before any construction. For residents, that timeline is normal for a project this size, and it is worth watching because it tells you how the town prioritizes recreation when budgets get tight.

Why it matters to residents and second-home owners

Recreation is the thread that runs through East Gull Lake's identity, from Gull Lake's water to Brainerd International Raceway to the resort golf courses nearby. Courts close to home give residents a third option beyond the marina and the fairway, and for second-home families they are a reason to extend the weekend. Pickleball in particular plays across generations, which matters in a community where grandparents and grandkids share the same week.

What does it mean for buyers?

Community amenities rarely make or break a home purchase, but they shape the feeling of a town. A community that invests in courts, parks, and recreation is a community saying it expects people to keep living there year-round. Combined with everything else East Gull Lake offers, that kind of investment supports the town's appeal whether you are buying a Gull Lake shoreline home or a home in the neighborhoods behind the lake.

If you are looking at East Gull Lake, the East Gull Lake community guide covers the lake, the neighborhoods, and the recreation, and our post on living on Gull Lake shoreline goes deeper on what the address means. Or schedule a call when you want to talk through the market. Cheers!