Fern Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) has received a $2,000 city grant to revitalize Rock Island Park.
Great news! New vounteer project will clean up, maintain and provide landscaping in historic park.
The FHNA applies yearly for city grants to fund community and neighborhood events and projects. In 2024, their grant proposal to clean up, revitalize and provide landscaping at Rock Island Park was approved by the City of St. Louis Park.
This project will significantly benefit the park, the local community and Lilac Way’s history. Thanks to the Fern Hill Neighborhood Association, this piece of Lilac Way history will get some much needed TLC. Download the FHNA news page.
This will be the first cleanup project since the city acquired the park in May, 2023.
Be part of revitalizing this rare and historic 1930s rock garden.
Rock Island Park and Graeser Park in Robbinsdale are the only two rock gardens left in Minnesota. Built by hand during the Great Depression, it was one of seven Lilac Way parks along Highway 100. As one of the state’s largest Works Project Administration (WPA) projects, it provided much needed jobs during high unemployment.
Become a matching donor
The FHNA is looking for matching donations to provide substantial improvements. Email Todd Tanner for more info.
Restore Lilac Way supports this community project.
Founder Karen Laukkonen will promote events and project updates through this website and social media, encourage community support, provide information and collaborate as needed.
PUBLIC MEETING: Meet at Rock Island Park • Weds., July 17th, 2024 • 6:30pm
Please provide your input at the initial meeting on July 17.
All Rock Island Park and Lilac Way fans are invited to provide their feedback and help shape the future of the park. FHNA is hosting the planning meeting on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30 pm at Rock Island Park, located on the west side of Toledo Avenue on the 2800 block in St. Louis Park, MN. Google Map
You can also email your ideas and suggestions to Karen at Restore Lilac Way, she will forward them to Todd at FHNA.
Attend in-person or watch online.
We’ll be simulcasting the meeting in a Zoom Video Conference, and recording it for later viewing.
If you can’t make it in person, simply email Todd Tanner for the Zoom link to watch online anytime.
What to expect at the meeting.
The Fern Hill Neighborhood Association will share their initial plans for the park and then open the floor for your ideas and feedback on a variety of topics, including:
- Plant selection and placement using grant funds
- Park clean-up strategies
- Identification and removal of unwanted invasive plant species
Join FHNA in their effort to preserve this historic Lilac Way park.
This meeting is all about information gathering and collaboration. They want to hear your thoughts and ideas for Rock Island Park.
Browse the June 2024 photo gallery.
There will be lots of ways to volunteer at all levels.
While this meeting is focused on planning, there will be plenty of opportunities to roll up your sleeves and volunteer in the future. From sweeping and raking to weeding to removing trees to planting new perennials, there will be something for everyone.
FHNA and Restore Lilac Way will post details about upcoming park clean-up events. Hope to see you there.
See the park up close.
A walk through Rock Island Park’s rock garden, June 2024. Length 04:06.
Rock Island Park’s lush green meadows on a gorgeous breezy summer day, June 2024. Length 01:19.
