Click just one button to write and send your own email to the Mayor, seven Council Members and Restore Lilac Way.
Lilac Way’s historic Rock Island park is facing a critical decision: preservation as a public park, or sale to a private developer.
Let’s show the City of St. Louis Park that Lilac Way fans, history supporters, and residents of Minnesota support preserving this historic 1939 park.
As one of only two rock gardens left in the Minnesota, it deserves to be saved.
It’s easy. Here’s a sample email to get you started: “I live in (please insert your city and state). I urge the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota to acquire both parcels of Lilac Way’s historic Rock Island Park and its surrounding green space for public use only. I do not support any kind of housing or private development that could damage or destroy this rare 1939 park, one of only two rock gardens left in Minnesota. Please keep this park only for public enjoyment. It is an important historic park and treasured open space. I would like my comment to be part of the City staff’s report to Council.” It is important to include this last line so your comment will be in the report and on the record. Please include ‘Rock Island Park’ in the subject line.
The City of SLP has sent a request letter to MnDOT expressing interest in acquiring Rock Island Park. But, MnDOT unexpectedly indicated that the city could submit a letter of interest to acquire Rock Island Park‘s two land parcels near Toledo Avenue and 28th Street WITHOUT defining the proposed use of the land as public use OR private development.
After the City gets the final offer from MnDOT, they will review four options presented by staff. See page 5 of the staff’s Nov. 2021 report.
If the city later decides it is not interested in acquiring the land, MnDOT will sell this historic Lilac Way park as two parcels in a closed bid to a private developer.
Become informed, and tell the City of St. Louis Park that you want Rock Island Park and its adjacent meadow to be preserved for our community, not sold for private development. The City Council will vote after city staff complete their final report, date TBD.
Get the updates, then scroll down to email the City with just one click.
On February 7, 2022, St. Louis Park’s City Council voted to direct staff to submit a letter of interest to acquire Rock Island Park’s two land parcels from MnDOT.
Sadly, that does NOT mean Lilac Way’s historic Rock Island Park has been saved from housing development.
MnDOT unexpectedly indicated the city could submit a letter of interest to acquire Rock Island Park‘s two land parcels WITHOUT defining the proposed use of the land as public use OR private development.
One of only two rock gardens left in Minnesota, this Lilac Way park is located west of Toledo Ave. and south of 28th St. in the Fern Hill neighborhood. Map
Rare rock garden is sister park to restored Lilac Park
Rock Island is one of only two rock gardens left in MN, and all that remains of the original Lilac Park on Minnetonka Boulevard.
It is a sister park to restored Lilac Park near Nordic Ware, which features the beehive fireplace that was located just south of Rock Island.
Or if you prefer, you can email them individually to share your support for Rock Island.
Restore Lilac Way
- Karen Laukkonen, Restore Lilac Way – Email
Restore Lilac Way is receiving and saving each email of support
Clicking the button above will send emails of support to the Mayor, City Council and Restore Lilac Way. Each email is being archived by Restore Lilac Way, and will be given to staff to include in their report. This will ensure no emails are missing or lost.
You can also mail a letter to the Mayor and individual City Council Members.
City of St. Louis Park
Attn: (insert name here)
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Send your letters to Restore Lilac Way.
Karen Laukkonen
Restore Lilac Way
3401 Zarthan Ave S
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Browse the photo album to see the beauty of Rock Island today.
Saved from demolition, Rock Island park was the north end of the 5-acre Lilac Park near Minnetonka Boulevard. The south end of that park was lost to road construction. Thankfully, the beehive fireplace and one stone picnic table were saved from demo, and moved and restored in a new Lilac Park near Highway 7.
Of the seven original Lilac Way parks, Rock Island is one of only three park sections remaining today, and one of only two rock gardens in Minnesota.
