Graeser Park featured videos
Get up close with one of only two remaining Depression-era beehive fireplaces. It’s the only one in its original location in Robbinsdale, MN.
See more on the Graeser Park video playlist.
07.01.2023, 3990. https://restorelilacway.com/ A 1940 Lilac Way park, Robbinsdale, MN • Length: 03:48. Graeser Park’s restored picnic area, including a rare 1940 beehive fireplace and 10 stone picnic tables and benches rebuilt from salvaged materials from lost Lilac Way park. All restoration and preservation work by MnDOT in 2021-2023 was designed and constructed according to Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
05.08.2023, 2873. EAI Historic Restoration prepares one of Graeser Park’s four stone benches for repair and repointing.
10.20.21. Take a virtual walk around the Graeser Park beehive fireplace. MnDOT’s Historic Roadside Properties Program has started preservation. NOTE from MnDOT: “The beehive openings will have a wire grate on them to block off the firebox opening (the SLP Beehive has a metal and glass closure). Much of the damage to the structures was likely due to excessively sized fires, as you can see from the broken stones at the top of the firebox arches which then weakened the structure.”
10.20.21. MnDOT’s preservation of Graeser Park is on track—the beehive is being repaired, 10 picnic table pads are done, and they have completed three table bases. The bases are covered in white plastic during the 72 hour moist curing period. This help slow down the cure and reduces the likelihood of cracks forming. They have also restored the flagstone around base of beehive. Stones to be replaced are marked with blue tape. NOTE from MnDOT: “The beehive openings will have a wire grate on them to block off the firebox opening (the SLP Beehive has a metal and glass closure). Much of the damage to the structures was likely due to excessively sized fires, as you can see from the broken stones at the top of the firebox arches which then weakened the structure.” We cannot thank them enough.
9.28.21. Walk through Graeser Park’s rock garden. Volunteer cleanup efforts are on hold while MnDOT completes beehive repair and picnic table installation. MnDOT plans to convey the easement to the City of Robbinsdale upon completion of the project. Final date TBD.
10.10.21. CCX Media. More Restoration Underway at Robbinsdale’s Lilac Park. Volunteers, who were instrumental in unearthing Graeser Park in Robbinsdale, were ecstatic to see crews power washing the “beehive” fireplace and replacing stones this week. The stone pads and vintage picnic tables and benches will eventually be reset in the park.
12.09.20. This Graeser Park aerial drone footage shows a 360° view of the rock garden area of the park. It includes the stairway, four benches, waterfall wall, two ponds, cone fountain, and many flagstone paths. It was taken on a rare sunny and 56° December day in MN. Length – 0:17.
9.7.2020. Graeser Park title transfer from MnDOT to Robbinsdale looks promising. A recent interview by Neil Pursley at CCX Media sheds new light on the long-awaited land title transfer for Graeser Park. Length – 3:03. Read the transcript.
11.6.2020. Take a virtual walk around Graeser Park’s rare beehive fireplace on a rare sunny November day in MN. One of only two remaining beehives built by the WPA, it’s the only one in its original location. Community efforts are growing to restore this historic Depression-era Lilac Way park. Length – 0:48
8.29.20. There was a perfect breeze in Graeser Park on Saturday, watched the willow tree dancing with the 1939 beehive fireplace. One of only 2.5 remaining Lilac Way parks, Graeser Park has a rare beehive fireplace and an extensive rock garden. Length – 0:22.
Watch the 2001 documentary that inspired this website. “Highway 100 – Lilac Way” documentary. Mn/DOT and TPT created this documentary film to record historic Lilac Way artifacts before they were lost to road construction. Length – 27:06
August 8, 2019. Interviewing Graeser Park’s hardworking Jeannine ‘Niner’ McDonald, this CCX story profiles the Robbinsdale Lions Club’s efforts to maintain Graeser Park and also shows SLP’s restored beehive in Lilac Park. Thanks CCX! Length – 1:18
September 26, 2018. News story about the presentation made by Kristi Gibson, Lion Kent Brun and Karen Laukkonen/Restore Lilac Way at the Robbinsdale Historical Society. We presented info about Graeser Park and Lilac Way history at their membership meeting. Thanks, CCX Media! Length – 1:08
September 1, 2018. Sweeping from the bandshell on North end to beehive fireplace on South end of Lilac Way’s Graeser Park in Robbinsdale, MN. Built in 1939, this is one of only two beehive fireplaces left in the U.S. The stairs leading to the Rock Garden are behind the beehive. Length – 0:27
August 28, 2018. Great story about the Robbinsdale Lions Club’s efforts to maintain Graeser Park from CCX Media. Uses some photos from this website, thanks CCX! Length – 0:24