PHOTO ALBUMS
NEEDS TO BE RESTORED: Graeser Park
The beehive fireplace in Robbinsdale’s 1939 Lilac Way park is one of only two left in the U.S.—and the only beehive in its original location. There is a growing community effort to restore this park.
Graeser Park, 1939-1964
These photos show Graeser Park just after construction was completed and through the 1960s. Designed by Landscape Architect Arthur Nichols.
Graeser Park, 2020
Efforts continue to preserve this historic 1939 Lilac Way park in Robbinsdale, MN.
Maintaining Graeser Park, 2020
Lilac Way’s Archaeological Dig continues, thanks to the Robbinsdale Lions Club.
Graeser Park – 2019
Wells Fargo volunteers cleanup Graeser Park, October 2019
Volunteers from Wells Fargo weeded and cleaned up this historic park. Beth Good, Kim Brimley, Nestor Quarshie and Jennifer Kodet joined Robbinsdale Lions Kent Brun and Rene Buchanan to make a difference.
Graeser Park, Newly Discovered Structures, 2019
A picnic table platform, pathways to a buried staircase and multiple bump-out areas for landscaping were found. Lilac Way’s Archaeological Dig continues, thanks to the Robbinsdale Lions Club.
Graeser Park, June 2019
These dramatic photos show the progress made by the Robbinsdale Lions and the Graeser Park Beehivers. So much work and effort!
Maintaining Graeser Park, 2019
The Robbinsdale Lions are back at work, maintaining Lilac Way’s Graeser Park. We’ve heard that the City of Robbinsdale expects MnDOT to transfer ownership (date to be determined).
Graeser Park’s beehive fireplace protected, March 28th, 2019
The City of Robbinsdale installed protective fencing around Graeser Park’s 1939 beehive fireplace to prevent future damage of this historic Lilac Way parkitecture. It is one of only two beehive fireplaces in the U.S., and the only beehive in its original location.
Graeser Park – 2018
Maintaining Graeser Park, 2018
The Robbinsdale Lions Club and individual Graeser Park Beehivers have transformed Graeser Park from a forgotten park to a showcase. They removed trees, weeded, and cleaned to help bring this park back to life.
Graeser Park ‘Meet me at the Beehive’ events, 2018
To raise awareness, Kristi Gibson at the Robbinsdale Historical Society did a stupendous job organizing a series of free community events at the park in July-September 2018. Included ‘Yoga at the Beehive,’ a painting party, and Old Log Theatre performing songs from their hit show, ‘Beehive.’
Graeser Park, 2018
Growing community support was driven by the Robbinsdale Lions Club, Kristi Gibson at the Robbinsdale Historical Society, and the relaunch of restorelilacway.com.
Graeser Park bandshell and overlook wall, 2018
A home to concerts, musicians and events since 1939, this 14′-wide curving lookout bay has three sets of limestone steps leading to park.
Graeser Park – 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Graeser Park, 2016
By 2016, the Robbinsdale Lions Club had been working on the park for eight years, and these photos show their dedication.
Graeser Park, 2015 Cleanup Day
These 2015 photos show early discovery of 1939 Lilac Way structures buried under years of nature. Big thanks to Colleen Patterson for the photos.
Graeser Park, 2014
Lilac Way enthusiast Karen Laukkonen stood in deep snow to get these photos during a snowy March.
Graeser Park, 2013
This one photo shows the south end of the park at the food of the Broadway Ave. bridge. In 2013, it was completely overgrown. Photo: Jeannine McDonald
Graeser Park – 2010, 2007, 2000 and 1997
Graeser Park, 2010
The Robbinsdale Lions Club began maintaining Graeser Park in 2008, so these photos show early days of their efforts. Thanks to Lion Colleen Patterson for these photos.
Graeser Park, 2007
Taken for the original launch of restorelilacway.com in 2007, these photos show the sad state of this historical Lilac Way park.
Graeser Park, 2000
We found these May 2000 photos online in a MnDOT photo inventory. The images may not quite be up to our typical standards, but still worth viewing. The photos were scans of laser print-outs. The search is on for the original photos.
Graeser Park, 1997
Just one photo, found in MnDOT’s 1998 Historic Roadside Development Structures on Minnesota Trunk Highways report by Susan Granger, Scott Kelly and Kay Grossman. Hoping to add more photos as available.