MnDOT continues Graeser Park restoration in spring 2023

MnDOT has brought treasured Lilac Way park back to life. In 2021, Program Manager Andrea Weber at MnDOT’s Historic Roadside Properties Program thoughtfully planned a three-phase project to preserve and restore Lilac Way’s Graeser Park in Robbinsdale, MN. With a keen attention to detail and adherence to the National Park’s Service’s Historic Preservation Standards and…

MNDOT officially offers two Rock Island Park parcels to SLP; City must respond by May 2023

Read long-awaited Rock Island Park updates in City of St. Louis Park’s December 2022 Executive Summary. Council Member Margaret Rog commented “After a years-long wait, MNDOT has finally, officially, offered to convey to the City two land parcels in Ward 1 they consider excess right-of-way, in the 2800 block of Toledo along Hwy. 100. Many…

Late spring delays MnDOT’s 2022 Graeser Park preservation project

May 1, 2022. Graeser Park’s preservation project, launched by MnDOT in fall of 2020, will continue when spring arrives. It was a drizzly 43° when I visited on May Day. The average temperature is 64°, so we are quite a bit behind schedule. Already completed is initial preservation of the historic beehive fireplace and reconstruction…

Rock Island featured in Sun Sailor: Important St. Louis Park history hangs in the balance

New St. Louis Park Sun Sailor column profiles housing threat to historic Rock Island Park. We were thrilled to read Important St. Louis Park history hangs in the balance in the April 11, 2022 Sun Sailor. SLP resident, retired newspaper editor and freelance writer Bruce Lindquist profiled the threat of housing development to historic Rock…

Rock Island Park: Development still possible despite Council vote to send letter of interest to acquire MnDOT land

Last updated 02/13/2022, 4:21:06 PM On February 7, 2022, St. Louis Park’s City Council voted to approve the meeting agenda, which included 4k. Direct staff to submit a letter of interest to acquire land that Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has deemed to be excess right-of-way. Sadly, that does NOT mean Lilac Way’s historic Rock…

City waiting for MnDOT’s Rock Island Park environmental, historical review

The City Council will consider historic Rock Island Park options after reviewing MnDOT report. Background: MnDOT has designated Rock Island Park’s two land parcels as ‘surplus’ and wants to relinquish ownership. After meeting with MnDOT, city staff delivered an initial report to council on Nov. 22nd, 2021. It included background and potential land uses (listed…

MnDOT confirms Rock Island Park is surplus land, City of SLP reviewing options

Rock Island Park, Sept. 8, 2021. Looking east over the rock garden, one of only two left in MN. Rock Island Park, Sept. 8, 2021. Looking north to the park's open meadow. Here are the latest Rock Island Park updates from MnDOT’s West Area Engineer and the Engineering Director of the City of St. Louis…