HIGHWAY 100 PARKS
By Bob Reiss, from the Re-Echo, Winter 2002

Highway 100, which was to be a highway belt line around the Twin Cities, was built through St. Louis Park between 1935 and 1940 as a project of the Public Works Administration. Federal funding to build public projects put unemployed people to work. Highway 7 and 100 were two projects that benefited St Louis Park. The State of Minnesota established the Roadside Development Division in 1932. Its main objective was to increase the recreational qualities and enjoyment of the state's highway. The funding to build Highway 100 required that a small percentage of the money be used for roadside improvements.

The improvements chosen for Highway 100 were stopping points for the traveling public where they could stop and enjoy the scenery or picnic. Two of these stopping points were located in St. Louis Park. They are still in place but are not very accessible. Lilac Park is located between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street. Access to it is from Toledo Avenue which serves as the "on" ramp to Highway 100. The second park is unnamed and is in the southeast comer of the intersection of Highway 100 and 7. Access is from the service road off Highway 7.

These parks were designed by the Minnesota Central Design office of the National Park Service. The stone structures were fashioned by unemployed masons from limestone cut along the Minnesota River near the Mendota Bridge. Construction of this type requires skilled labor and without the "make work" atmosphere of a depression is no longer feasible. The parks include stone picnic tables, council rings and benches, rectangular fireplaces and Lilac Park includes a unique beehive cooker.

The parks have survived previous changes to Highway 100 but now major changes for the park areas are being planned. The section of Highway 100, from Robbinsdale to Highway 394, is currently under major reconstruction and changes south of Highway 394 are in the planning stage. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has been made aware of the historical significance of these parks but are faced with a difficult task. Since the significance is in the workmanship and location, they can not be moved. MDOT is saying that they are working to save the structures but do not know if they will be able to provide access to them.


 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.