8.3.A. PRSR 05-10 2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SH-ERC-o2s Prep by Gemini Research 12/30/03 Babcock Memorial Park Comments and Recommendations For Sites in the Mn/DOT Historic Roadside Development Inventory That are Ineligible for the National Register Brief comments and recommendations were prepared for each property in the Mn/DOT Historic Roadside Development Inventory that was evaluated as being ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places. This information is intended to help Mn/DOT make short- and long-term management decisions regarding the properties. In developing these comments, Gemini Research considered such questions as: Might the site be eligible far the National Register in the future? Are there structures that have such historic or aesthetic value that they are worthy of preservation despite the alterations that have occurred to the site? Could alterations be reversed so that the site becomes National Register-eligible? Is the site part of a series or collection that might affect management recommendations? Is the site or setting particularly scenic or an historically important place? Comments Babcock Memorial Park was recommended ineligible for the National Register due to loss of integrity. Based on plans by A. R. Nichols, it was built in 1938-1939 with NYA labor. Several changes were made to the site in the early 1970s. Today the rest area has elements of its original design as well as modern structures and landscape elements. The site is a comfortable public facility on the bank of the Mississippi River within Elk River. The historic stone features include two council rings, which are rare in Minnesota, and three very unusual stone picnic table sets, which are also rare. The picnic table sets closely resemble tables built in Nichols- designed rest areas along TH 100 west of Minneapolis. Recommendations We recommend that all pre-1960 structures and other landscape features remaining on the site be preserved. Historic plans and photos should be consulted so that the original design intent can be understood as completely as possible. We recommend that the three stone picnic tables and two council rings be immediately repaired. All repairs should use proper methods, mortar type and color, and joint treatment so that the design and craftsmanship of the stonework is preserved. We recommend that the three stone picnic tables and two council rings be protected from embellishment or modernization in the future. Modern improvements should be kept physically away from these structures so that the historic elements can be experienced without distraction from modern materials. We recommend that future land use and planting at the site take into consideration the original design intent. We recommend that an interpretive plaque be installed that describes the original development of the rest area. It should be sensitively designed and sited.