Current projects
Graeser Park
Location: West of Hwy 100 between Broadway Ave and Bottineau Blvd, on Lakeland Ave in Robbinsdale, MN
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (Previously eligible.
Original Construction: 1940-41
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Proposed Scope: Stone masonry repair or stabilization at the overlook wall, “beehive” oven, and rock garden trail at the E and of the rock garden and as needed where stones are loose. Replacement of disassembled stone picnic tables and benches from existing salvaged materials. Vegetation removals including trees impacting rock garden and invasive shrub removal. Interpretive sign and potential volunteer involvement with new plantings.
Timeline: Proposed summer 2021
Additional information: This site is intended to be conveyed to the City of Robbinsdale after stabilization is completed. Highway Sponsorship potential volunteer partner has been identified.
Old Lilac Park, also known as “Rock Island” or “Monkey Island
Location: Hwy 100 at Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1938-39
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Proposed Scope: Removal of diseased, damaged, volunteer and invasive trees and shrubs near the rock garden and in NE corner of site. Modifications to path mowing. Supplemental shrub plantings may be added in the NE corner in the future. Repair of loose stone masonry in rock garden area for safety and to prevent ongoing deterioration. Add walk to top of entry stairs for accessibility, stone bench, interpretive signage.
Timeline: Tree and brush removal March-April 2021, Stone repairs and accessibility work, fall 2021 or summer 2022.
Additional Information: This site is potentially available for Highway Sponsorship Program partners.
New Ulm Spring Roadside Parking Area Rehabilitation
Location: TH 14 approximately 1 mile south of intersection with TH 15 on east side of MN river near New Ulm.
Not Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (Previously eligible. Goal of project will be to improve integrity to increase its potential for eligible status)
Original Construction: 1938-39
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols
Constructed by: National Youth Administration, a federal New Deal work relief program during the depression.
Project background: This project will rehabilitate the New Ulm Spring Roadside Parking Area (Class IV Rest Area), which is part of the Historic Roadside Property Program. In the late 1990s, the site was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Properties, but in a 2014 reevaluation, was determined not eligible. The loss of eligibility was mainly for reasons of deterioration since the previous review. This project goal is to re-establish the integrity of the site and improve its potential eligibility. This is the only remaining WPA-era wayside in this part of the state (MnDOT District 7) and one of only 3 remaining sites in the Historic Roadside Property Program which were built around springs. All of them have been capped or disconnected. All work will follow the Secretary of Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Project Scope: Work will include: repairing and repointing the stone wall, replacing the gravel walk with a concrete walk, repaving the parking area, re-introducing the curbed island with right in/right out one-way access. Repairing natural surface trails, stone steps and two picnic areas above the wall. Interpretation will be added and ADA accessibility improved by adding an accessible picnic table at the south end of the wall and curb ramps on the walkway. The spring outlet pipe will be stabilized, but water will not be restored due to contamination of the water.
Vegetation management will include strategic removal of invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and invasive perennial plants such as garlic mustard, along with selective tree removal and pruning to open views of the river valley.
Granite Falls Overlook Rehabilitation
Location: TH 212/23 on west side of MN River south of 212 river bridge in Granite Falls, MN.
Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1938
Designed by: Arthur R. Nichols
Constructed by: Minnesota Department of Highways Staff and federal relief program workers.
Project Scope: Granite Falls Overlook Rehabilitation will repoint (replace deteriorated mortar between stones) the stone overlook, restore benches, repair walkways, replace the gravel plaza surface with concrete and repointed stone curb, plant new trees, and add interpretation. All work will follow the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.
Repointing on the south wing wall at the entrance to Granite Falls Memorial Park on TH 67 is included in this project because this part of the entry structure is in the MnDOT right of way.
