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
Original Graeser Park structures
Beehive-shaped fireplace
- Restored by MnDOT, 2021-23
- 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
- One of only two remaining beehive fireplaces in the U.S., and the only one in its original location
- In 2022, MnDOT rebuilt 11 stone picnic tables from materials salvaged from destroyed Lilac Way parks
- 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
- Square tabletop supported by cruciform shape
Stone overlook wall with bandshell, faces SE to beehive fireplace
- The overlook wall along the parking area was cleaned, the top was repointed, and end piers were rebuilt by MnDOT’s Historic Roadside Properties Program from 2021-23; more repair needed
- 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
- Nicknamed the ‘Bandshell’ by locals, concerts were held there after park opened
Rock Garden – cone fountain and paths
- In 2023, MnDOT repointed the rock garden pond walls, re-graded and seeded grass areas, and added 120 perennials plus shrubs
- 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.
- Has been maintained under the stewardship of the Robbinsdale Lions since 2008
Rock Garden – waterfall
- 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
Rock Garden – steps
- In 2023, MnDOT repointed the first step, just below the new ADA cement path
- 12 flagstone steps lead into garden, with side railings of small mortared rocks
- Needs additional repairs
Rock Garden – benches
- 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
Drinking fountain
- 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 from West Broadway Avenue, V-shaped retaining wall, stone refuse container
- 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
Graeser Park (NORTH, with beehive fireplace)
Read MnDOT’s 1964 Wayside Rest Area Inventory (JPG) for the main Graeser Park (NORTH).
Read MnDOT’s 1997 Historic Roadside Development Structures Inventories (PDF) for the main Graeser Park (NORTH).
LOST: Graeser Park (SOUTH)
Read MnDOT’s 1964 Wayside Rest Area Inventory (JPG) for Graeser Park (SOUTH).
Read MnDOT’s 1997 Historic Roadside Development Structures Inventories (PDF) for Graeser Park (SOUTH).
VIEW GRAESER PARK PHOTO ALBUMS