What did the WPA build in Graeser Park in the 1930s?

Graeser Park in Robbinsdale, MN is one of seven Lilac Way parks. Two remain today, along with part of a third park.

Graeser Park was constructed by and is still owned by MnDOT (and the people of Minnesota!) and managed under the Historic Roadside Property Program.

Designed to be 6-7 acres, it had space on the eastern side for a cloverleaf intersection that was never built.

According to MnDOT’s 1997 Inventory, original plans called for

a stone oven-type fireplace (Note: probably the beehive-shaped fireplace)
three stone fireplaces (Note: probably low grills)
18 stone picnic tables
a rock garden with a water fountain
three stone refuse containers
stone concourse
a “Rustic Log Roadside Parking Sign” (Note: RLW has never seen photos of sign)
bituminous sidewalk
flagstone walk
320′ of stone curbing

Focal point of picnic area south of overlook wall
Built of tan, coursed ashlar, rock faced limestone
Dark red mortar joints contrast with the light-colored stone
23′ perimeter, 10′ tall, rests on circular flagstone pad
Three rounded-arched fire openings with metal cooking grates and brick-lined fireboxes
Between the openings are small limestone ledges
Remains today, but in poor condition, missing a ledge, several stones, a few metal grates, flagstone pad is breaking up, and mortar repair is needed
One of only two remaining beehive fireplaces in the U.S., and the only one in its original location
Wrapped in protective fencing in March of 2019 by the City of Robbinsdale to prevent further damage

There were three clusters of picnic tables
- One east of overlook wall (two sets remained in 1997)
- One set southeast of wall (7 sets remained in 1997)
- One set very close to Highway 100 in large grassy area open at south edge of park (one set remained in 1997)
10 sets of stone picnic tables remained in 1997
- Each set sits on a rectangle of flagstone
Original plans had called for 18 stone picnic tables
Tables and benches were built of tan, roughly-cut limestone, most of which was coursed
Stones were carefully chosen and cut, some were pure triangles

There were two picnic table styles
- Square tabletop supported by cruciform shape
  - Had four benches
  - The seat of each was supported by two stone block pedestals
- Rectangular tabletop, with two stone benches that were each supported by three stone blocks
  - Tabletops and seats were simple slabs with rock faced edges
No picnic tables remain in the park today; some picnic tables were removed when Graeser Park was used to store MnDOT’s road construction equipment

Largest feature in Graeser Park
Built of tan, random ashlar, roughly cut limestone
18″ thick, varies in height with terrain
Anchored at intervals by stone piers that have limestone slab caps (wall itself has no cap)
Symmetrical design with 14′-wide curving lookout bay at midpoint
Flagstone-paved bay creates a terrace
Three 6′-wide sets of limestone steps lead into picnic areas from wall
Inner side of wall is lined with a 6′-wide walkway
Tan limestone curbing runs along the length of the SE side of parking area in front of overlook wall
Remains today, but in poor condition with missing and cracked stones, and mortar work that needs repair
Nicknamed the ‘Bandshell’ by locals, concerts were held there after park opened

Near south end of site
Built of mortared tan limestone rubble
Curving flagstone-paved paths wind around naturalistic mounds of stone
Near center of garden are two oval-shaped ponds (about 3′ deep) with poured concrete bottoms
- One pond has a stone cone-shaped fountain in center (not working)
- Other had a waterfall along one side
Early photos show garden was lightly planted with trees and planted with many varieties of water plants, etc.
Remains today under the stewardship of the Robbinsdale Lions and volunteers who are excavating buried paths and removing weeds
Maintained in hopes of eventual restoration

integral to the entire water system
Rock Garden area had two ponds – one has a stone cone-shaped fountain in the center, and the other has a waterfall along one side

Each of four small 8′-wide niches along curving path shelters a small bench of striated limestone
- Benches are 2′ wide, 8′ long, and 18″ tall with a 2′ tall backrest
Remains today, but in poor condition

Built by stonemason John J. Schulte of Minneapolis
This photo caption from this December 16th, 1941 Minneapolis Morning Tribune article said “This Robbinsdale piece shows veteran stone cutter’s art at best”
See the original newspaper article
Diane Jacobson McGee, Robbinsdale Historical Society and Lion John Zieba, remember this drinking fountain. Diane thinks there was only one, located near the pond. Noting the faucet above the second block from the bottom, she said a bronze drinking spigot was straight above that and just inside the basin.

Stone stairway originally led from West Broadway Avenue into Graeser Park
Was either buried under turf grass during Highway 100 reconstruction, or was removed circa 1988 when Broadway Avenue was widened (TBD)
Small V-shaped retaining wall near the Broadway Avenue in slope (also buried)
Stone refuse container (hidden in the NE spirea hedge)
They were discovered during subsequent fieldwork by Gemini Research to assess the potential effects of the reconstruction of Highway 100 on Graeser Park
No longer visible

Read MnDOT’s 1964 Wayside Rest Area Inventory (JPG) for the main Graeser Park (NORTH).

Read MnDOT’s 1964 Wayside Rest Area Inventory (JPG) for Graeser Park (SOUTH).

VIEW GRAESER PARK PHOTO ALBUMS