The Park Rapids City Council heard reports from various partner organizations during a Tuesday, Jan. 27 work session. According to Mary Thompson, executive director of the Heartland Lakes Development Commission (HLDC), the purpose of the reports was to give council members some context as they enter a strategic planning process. Highlights of 2024 included a housing study that showed Park Rapids is missing out on potential population and employment growth due to lack of available housing, Thompson said. Library boardGail Leverson, chair of the Park Rapids Library Board, reported the library received 25,178 visits in 2025 – up about 1,000 from 2024. ADVERTISEMENTMeanwhile, there were 112 kids’ programs with 3,500 participants, also up about 1,000 on the year, Leverson reported.