SAVE THE BEEHIVE!!
From the Re-Echo Newsletter, December 2006

You may have noticed it as you drive along Highway 100 – that strange, igloo-like structure that’s just always been there. It’s what we call a “beehive” – a barbeque that can accommodate up to three families at a time, as they roast their Peter’s Wieners and marshmallows. But the beehive is in trouble and it needs your help. It’s in the path of future highway construction, and we need to move it to safer ground. This is an all-out campaign to raise the money to move and restore this very important artifact.
 

The beehive sits in what is left of Lilac Park, one of one of several roadside parks that were built when the highway was built in 1939. It is located northeast of Highway 100 and Minnetonka Blvd. The park has been bisected by a highway on-ramp, and it’s difficult and dangerous to get to.

Our other existing park is St. Louis Park Roadside Park (“Park Park”), located southeast of Highways 7 and 100 at the Nordic Ware tower. This park is essentially intact, with many of its original fixtures: stone picnic tables, rock garden, fireplace, and other Flintstone-like features. The park is maintained by Nordic Ware, and we thank them for this wonderful effort.

The Historical Society has participated in many meetings, chaired by Rick Birno from SLP Parks and Rec, that have included representatives of the State, County, and City, as well as Nordic Ware. And the news is good - we have recently been notified that it is indeed possible to move the beehive from Lilac Park to Park Park!

It will cost money, though, and although governmental entities are involved, it will still take participation from the community to accomplish the move. We know there are a lot of people in this area who love that old beehive, and remember picnicking in those parks back when the speed limit was 45 and you could pull right off the road. This is a real treasure, and we need to preserve it.

Won’t you help? The St. Louis Park Historical Society has set up a fund specifically for the beehive. It was started with donations made in memory of Bob Reiss, one of our most dedicated participants in these discussions. All funds donated to this account are fully tax deductible. Send your check to the St. Louis Park Historical Society Beehive Fund, 3700 Monterey Ave. So., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Make sure “beehive” is on your check if you want it earmarked for the beehive fund. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

For a more detailed account of the roadside parks, see www.slphistory.org/history/roadsideparks.asp

 

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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.