RESTORATION HAS BEGUN: Graeser 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 beehive fireplace and picnic area, Sept. 28, 2021

A gorgeous fall day showed this rare beehive fireplace in a warm light. Protected by a fence, this Lilac Way beehive is one of only two remaining, and the only one in its original location. A local resident spent time swinging in a hammock with a view of the beehive, great to see.

Graeser Park rock garden and restored picnic table, Sept. 28, 2021

Visit this historic rock garden, and rest on the newly-rebuilt and -restored original 1930s picnic tables. The rock garden is a bit overgrown — cleanup efforts by the Robbindale Lions Club and volunteers are on pause while MnDOT completes their maintenance project. When that is done, the land title will be transferred to the City of Robbinsdale. Date TBD.

Views of Graeser Park’s first restored picnic table and a second platform – July 21, 2021

These July 20, 2021 photos shows the view of the first restored picnic table completed by Northern Bedrock from different locations in the park. A second table platform near the beehive fireplace was also restored, and they started restoring a third platform. The start of something wonderful.

Graeser Park, first picnic table installed – July 17, 2021

MnDOT brought in Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps and Advanced Masonry Restoration to raise original Depression-era picnic tables and install the first picnic table.

Graeser Park, April 2021

MnDOT removed four invasive, damaged and diseased trees from the park. They were ‘volunteer’ trees, not part of original landscaping. Removing them prevented future damage to the stonework.

Graeser Park, aerial photos 2020

These amazing bird’s eye view photos show the scale and design of this historic Lilac Way park in Robbinsdale, MN.

Graeser Park, 2020

Efforts continue to preserve this historic 1939 Lilac Way park in Robbinsdale, MN.

Graeser Park’s Beehive Fireplace

One of only two remaining beehive fireplaces, it is the only one in its original location. Community efforts are growing to restore this rare piece of Lilac Way history.

Maintaining Graeser Park, 2020

Volunteer efforts by Robbinsdale Lions Club to preserve Graeser Park are on hold until they apply to and are approved for MnDOT’s new Highway Sponsorship program. Visitors are always welcome at Graeser Park.

Graeser Park, buried staircase found in 2020

Two years of a Lilac Way archeological dig finally unearthed the bottom step of a lost 1939 stone stairway. Buried by MnDOT in the early 2000s, volunteers Beth Good, Jeannine McDonald and the Robbinsdale Lions Club found this Graeser Park structure.

***Sept. 2020 update: A MNDOT contractor will restore (rebury) the stairway. It was covered as part of the support system for the rebuilt Broadway Ave. bridge. It is possible they will be able to reclaim some of the walk/wall materials to be used in other areas.***

Graeser Park, searching for a buried stairway, 2018-20

Devoted Graeser Park Beehiver Beth Good and other volunteers spent many hours and weekends with one mission—find an original 1939 stone stairway that we think was buried by MnDOT in the early 2000s.

***Sept. 2020 update: A MNDOT contractor will restore (rebury) the stairway. It was covered as part of the support system for the rebuilt Broadway Ave. bridge. It is possible they will be able to reclaim some of the walk/wall materials to be used in other areas.***

Graeser Park, new signage 2020

*** Sept. 2020 update: MnDOT has directed us to remove the signage. We are hoping to put them back someday.*** Designed to inform and educate park visitors, they
– welcomed people to this historic 1939 Lilac Park
– documented the history
– shared details of the beehive fireplace
– honored Robbinsdale Lions’ volunteer stewardship and
– explained the staircase discovery
Writer: Kristi Gibson, Robbinsdale Historical Society for writing the content. All time and expenses were donated.

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.

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

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, 2012

Arlo and his mom Jesica took these photos in 2012. Now, Arlo is a full-fledged volunteer at the park.

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, 2001

The park with the building of the new West Broadway Avenue bridge.

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.