7. PCSR 03-11-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DE~/E10PMENT SH-ERC-028 STRUCTURES INVENTORY CS 7101 Babcock Memorial Park ^ BRIE1= Babcock Memorial Park is a 15.75-acre site that is located on the western side of T.H. 10, within the city of Elk River, on the northern side of the T.H. 101 bridge that crosses the Mississippi. The park is located on the, eastern bank of the river. ^ STANDING STRUCTURES Counci/ Ring A and Counci/ Ring B. Erected 1938 by the NYA. The original plan specifies two council rings, both extant. They are built of mortared river boulders. Most of the rocks are pieces of pink, gray, red, and black granite that are football- to watermelon-sized. The rings are about 23' in overall diameter. Their walls are about 18" wide and 1' to 1'6" high (the height varies with the terrain). Each ring has an entrance opening on the eastern side. Each ring encloses a grassy area, at the center of which is a circular stone fire ring that is about 6' in outside diameter. Both council rings are missing several stones and need 'repair. Stone Picnic Tab/es. Erected 1938 by the NYA. The original plan specifies 14 picnic tables arranged in pairs with a picnic fireplace located near each pair. Some of these picnic tables were apparently portable wooden tables. There are currently three stone picnic tables with benches. Each set rests on a poured concrete base. The structures are made of tan, roughly-cut, limestone. The sets are about 5'6" in length, 6' in overall width, and 2'10" in height (to the top of the tables). One of the sets is complete, one is missing the eastern bench, and one is missing the table top and the western bench. All stone fireplaces have been removed. Pump. Erected 1938 by the NYA. The park includes a hand pump on a 9'-square poured concrete pad. Picnic She/ters. Erected ca. 1972 by Mn/DOT. The site has two picnic shelters that have gabled roofs supported by timber posts. The shelters stand on poured concrete pads. Restroom Bui/ding. Erected ca. 1972 by Mn/DOT. There is a concrete block restroom building located west of the parking area. A concrete sidewalk finks the building to the asphalt-paved parking lot. /nformation Board. Erected ca. 1972 by Mn/DOT. Agable-roofed woodframe information board is located on the concrete sidewalk just east of the restroom building. ^ OTHER LANDSCAPE FEATURES AND PLANTINGS The site is located several feet below the grade of T.H. 10 and has a somewhat secluded feel and relatively flat topography. The original plan specified (or suggested) a kittenball (also known as softball) field to be located southeast of the original parking area, and a small children's playground to be located east of the southern council ring. The original plan shows the park ending at the drainage ditch south of the southern council ring. 2