A summer 2023 Lilac Way tour is the perfect escape, and it’s free! Stop in at restored Graeser Park, Rock Island and renewed Lilac Park—all located on an 8-mile stretch of Highway 100. Bring a lunch, family and friends, and see the heroic preservation efforts of dedicated volunteers and MnDOT. These three Insta-worthy historic Depression-era…
We’ve made history! St. Louis Park has voted to accept Rock Island Park’s south parcel from MnDOT for no fee, and to buy the park’s north parcel for $187,000. On May 1, 2023 the St. Louis Park City Council voted on the much-anticipated resolution to save Lilac Way’s historic Rock Island Park on 28th and…
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…
MnDOT believes that Rock Island Park’s lilacs are original from the 1930s. This long stretch of lilacs is located on the north end of the park, along 28th St. and Toledo in St. Louis Park, MN. Lilacs were part of the original 1930s landscaping of the Lilac Way, the showcase section of Highway 100. According…
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…
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…
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…
11.20.21 Lilac Way’s Rock Island Park is on the agenda for the St. Louis Park city council study session on Monday, Nov. 22nd. A written report regarding ‘MnDOT excess land update – Toledo Avenue and 28th Street’ will be given to the Council. This written report is a first step in bringing Rock Island Park…
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…
October 15, 2021. A sister park to restored Lilac Park, Lilac Way’s historic Rock Island park is facing a critical decision: preservation as a public park, or sale to a private developer. On Sept. 30th, 2021 MnDOT met with the City of St. Louis Park to discuss their interest in park ownership. Join the Rally!…