Laukkonen Design has been raising community awareness for historic Depression-era Lilac Way parks since 2007.
Launched in 2008, restorelilacway.com is a civic project conceived, written, designed and maintained pro bono by Karen Laukkonen.
It documents the Depression-era history of quirky beehive fireplaces and seven Lilac Way roadside parks on Highway 100 in Minneapolis, MN. It also encourages community support to maintain, preserve and restore the last three remaining parks.
Graeser Park
In 2023, MnDOT’s Historic Roadside Properties Program completed a major Graeser Park restoration project.
Its rare Depression-era beehive fireplace in Robbinsdale was beautifully restored, 11 picnic tables rebuilt from materials salvaged from lost Lilac Way parks, and the rock garden was transformed.
Rock Island Park
Restore Lilac Way’s three-year campaign to save Rock Island Park from destruction was a success. We encouraged St. Louis Park to take ownership of a rare 1930s rock garden, saving it from destruction.
Now known as Rock Island Park, the community responded through emails, yard signs and a virtual rally to convince the city to accept the park from MnDOT, bringing it under the umbrella of their park system.
Four poster designs. Two sizes. For the one and only Lilac Way.
Display your love for Lilac Way’s historic parks and quirky beehive-shaped fireplaces. Show off your favorite park, or get a lovely set of four posters for the price of three.