7. PCSR 03-11-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURES INVENTORY SH-ERC-028 CS 7101 Babcock Memorial Park The site's original access road entered the park east of the current restroom building and entered a rectangular parking area. In circa 1970, the T.H. 10 alignment was shifted westward and the park lost a fair amount of land. In circa 1972, the asphalt-paved entrance drive was reconstructed so that it entered the site at its northern end and then widened into the current long, paved parking area. From the southern end of this parking area, a gravel road was built southward through the park and over the drainage ditch. Anew gravel parking area (with two grassy curb-lined islands) and a boat launching ramp were built at the park's southern edge (just north of the T.H. 101 bridge). The drainage ditch (apparently the original site of a timber footbridge) is now edged with cut log stops and granite riprapping. The park also includes about six metal picnic grills on metal poles- and several recent portable wooden and metal picnic tables. Most of the site is planted with grass. There are widely spaced ash and oak trees planted east of the parking area against the grassy T.H. 10 ditch. There are ash, maple, and linden trees spaced about 20' apart in the grassy picnic area along the river, west of the parking area. The river bank is lined with overgrown brush and small trees and an area of gently sloping grassy lawn. Historic photos indicate that the site was originally shaded by many tall elms. The original plans made use of the natural forest. A 1939 planting plan also specifies 15 Green -Ash, 20 Weeping Willow, and 30 American Elm to be planted at the site. A 1972 planting plan specifies the planting of 18 Silver Maples, 40 White Ash, 10 Red Maple, 8 American Linden, 12 Sugar Maple, and 12 Siberian Elm. ^ SETTING The site is located within the city of Elk River. It is a long, narrow parcel located between the Mississippi River and T.H. 10, which runs north and south, parallel with the river. The site is bounded by T.H. 10 on the east, the T.H. 101. bridge on the south, and the Mississippi River on the west. The United Power Company plant and various commercial structures are located across T.H. 10 to the east. ^ INTEGRITY Alterations The site appears to have been built fairly close to plan. While the park retains several early stone structures, its landscapes have been altered. T.H. 10 has been moved westward circa 1970, cutting into the park's acreage. The original entrance road and parking area have been replaced by the current entrance road and much larger parking area circa 1972. Two gable-roofed picnic shelters, a concrete block restroom building, agable-roofed information board, and the southern parking lot and boat launch were all added to the site circa 1972. New plantings were added circa- 1972. Several picnic tables, 7 picnic fireplaces (apparently stone), and a timber footbridge have been removed. In addition, a marker built by the NYA (probably a rectangular timber sign) has apparently been removed. 3