7.2. SR 05-15-2006
Item Description
Request Authorization to Enter into Agreement with MnDOT
Re ardin Maintenance of Babcock Memorial Park
Item Number
7.2.
Prepared by
Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation
Director
Reviewed by
Lori Johnson, City Administrator
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Planning/Engineering May 15, 2006
Introduction
Request Authorization to Enter into Agreement with MnDOT Regarding Maintenance of Babcock
Memorial Park
Discussion
Babcock Memorial Park was designed by prominent landscape Architect A. R. Nichols in 1938 and
was constructed by the National Youth Administration. The Department of Transportation has
decided that it is no longer going to maintain Babcock Memorial Park. Their intention is to eliminate
all maintenance and close off the parking area. Staff has had conversations with MnDOT staff about
the possibility of the City assuming maintenance and operation of the park. The city would operate
and maintain Babcock Park as a city park. A large city park sign would be located near the entrance
along Highway 10. Staff has requested that MnDOT remove the restrooms.
Staff believes that the historic significance of the park, boat landing, and fishing access make it a
valuable asset that should remain open for public use. A trail link to Rivers Edge Commons is highly
desirable. On May 10, 2006, the Park Commission voted to recommend that the City of Elk River
operate and maintain Babcock Park as a city park.
Financial Impact
Portable restroom $450 per year
Grounds maintenance approximately $1,200 per year
Restoration of historic stone features - staff would pursue grants to help pay for restoration
Attachments
· Draft Agreement with MnDOT
· Site Plan
· Photo of Shelter
· Memo from Police Chief J eff Beahen
· Inventory and Recommendations
Action Requested
Request Authorization to Enter into Agreement with MnDOT Regarding Maintenance of Babcock
Memorial Park
C\Documents and Settings\tallard\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKF\Babcock 6 7.doc
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
C\Docurnents and Settings\tallard\Local Settings\Ternporary Internet Files\OLKF\Babcock 6 7.doc
STATE OF MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
LIMITED USE PERMIT FOR
BABCOCK MEMORIAL PARK REST AREA
GRANTED TO
THE CITY OF ELK RNER
C.S.: 7101
County: Sherburne
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes Section 161.434, this Limited Use Permit is hereby granted to the City of Elk
River (hereinafter called the Permittee). This permit authorizes the Permittee to operate, maintain, and supervise a
park within the Babcock Memorial Park Rest Area (hereinafter called Site) and any features listed below in
accordance with the "Special Provisions" set forth herein. The Site is located within the right of way of Trunk
Highway No 10 as shown in yellow on Exhibit "A", which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
This permit is executed by the Permittee pursuant to the attached resolution.
The Permittee's use of the Site must be in strict accordance with the following:
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
1. Mn!DOT will:
a. Demolish and remove the rest room building.
b. Retain all other site features.
c. Remove the advance highway rest area sign and replace it with an advance park sign.
2. The Permittee will:
a. Operate the Site as a park, including the following features:
. 2 picnic shelters . 8 fireplaces (6 metal; 2 stone council rings)
. 1 display unit . 1 stone interpretive marker
. 9 picnic tables (6 wooden; 3 stone) · 1 water pump
b. Install portable toilet(s) that are operated seasonally.
5. The Permittee
accordance wit
and upkeep to 0
will operate the
maintained as a
the Site in accordance with
it does not authorize the Permittee to
sota Statutes Sec. 161.434. Any
t of Transportation (Mn!DOT) District
3. This permit is granted solely for the purpose of operating
Minnesota Statutes chapter 86A and other applicable l
construct any permanent buildings as specifically proh
changes to this permit must be approved by Minne
Engineer.
4.
to operat nding at the Site, the Permittee must
'ttee contracts for custodial services at the Site it
ain Site seasonally, keeping it open and operable for public use in
Permittee accepts responsibility for all ongoing maintenance, repairs,
m tain, or improve the current Site conditions at the property. The Permittee
a safe, sanitary manner that reflects an image that the property is being actively
lic resource.
6. The Permittee accepts responsibility for the Site within the limits identified in the Exhibits. The Permittee
must provide any and all Site maintenance, including, but not limited to, mowing, vegetation management,
litter removal, plowing and snow removal, cleaning building and site furniture, maintenance and repair, road
maintenance, and management of structures and elements.
7. The Permittee relieves MnlDOT of all Site operations, maintenance, and supervision responsibilities and
associated costs.
8. The Permittee will maintain the site so the any changes made to the three stone picnic tables, two stone
council rings, and water pump, which were designed by prominent landscape architect A. R. Nichols and built
by the National Youth Administration in 1938, are in accordance with the Secretary of the Interiors
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes
Page 1 of 3
(htto://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/hli/introguid.htm). These features have local historic significance. See Exhibit B
(Inventory and Comments and Recommendations) for background.
9. This permit is non-exclusive and is granted subject to the rights of others, including, but not limited to public
utilities, which may occupy the State's right of way.
10. The Permittee must preserve and protect all utilities located on the lands covered by this permit at no expense
to Mn/DOT. The Permittee accepts responsibility to call the Gopher State One Call System
at 1-800-252-1166 at least 48 hours before performing any excavation at the Site.
11. This permit does not release the Permittee from any liability or obligation imposed by federal law, Minnesota
Statutes, local ordinances, or other agency regulations relating thereto and any necessary permits relating
thereto shall be applied for and obtained by the Permittee.
12. Any use permitted by this permit must remain subordinate to the right ofMn/DOT to use the property for
highway and transportation purposes. This permit does not grant any interest whatsoever in land, nor does it
establish a permanent park, recreation area or wildlife or waterfowl refuge facility that would become subject
to Section 4 (t) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act ofl968.
13. Mn/DOT may terminate this permit, with or without cause, by giving the Permittee 90 days written notice of
such intent. The Permittee must, upon cancellation of said permit, or any portion thereof, return and restore
the area to a condition satisfactory to Mn/DOT and at no cost to Mn/DOT.
14. The Permittee, for itself, its successors, and assigns, agrees to abide by the provisions of Title VI Appendix C
of the Civil Rights Act ofl964, which provides in part that no person' e/(jJ"nited States, must on the
grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from, or d ie ofimy portion of the rest area.
16. The Permittee shall hold harmles
and employees an . sors
death, property dam
or from the use of t
ice(s) in any manner, form, or size
esota Statutes Section 161.434
15. The Permittee must not place or permit construction of any
upon the State of Minnesota right of way, as spec cally pr
and 23 C.F.R. 652.
Minneso, s Commissioner of Transportation
laims for damages because of bodily injury,
pe e arising from the operations of the Site Features
over which this permit is granted.
17. The State ofMinnes
restrict the parking
permit is granted, s
issioner of Transportation, will retain the right to limit and/or
s a assemblage of Site users on the highway right of way over which this
maintain the safety of both the motoring public and Site users.
18. The Permittee must not relocate, alter, or restrict the existing ingress from or egress to the Site from the trunk
highway without the written approval ofMnlDOT. Permittee acknowledges that construction and
maintenance work on the trunk highway may occasionally restrict access to the Site or make such access
difficult. MnlDOT does not guarantee that the trunk highway will be perpetuated in its current location and
alignment, and the Permittee understands that changes in alignment or access control may adversely affect the
Site.
19. No assignment of the permit is allowed.
20. The Permittee must not dispose of any materials regulated by any governmental or regulatory agency onto
the ground, or into any body of water, or into any container on the State's right of way. In the event of
spillage of regulated materials, the Permittee must provide for cleanup of the spilled material and of materials
contaminated by the spillage in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, at
the sole expense of the Permittee.
Page 2 of 3
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL
By:
District Engineer
Date
APPROVED BY:
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION
Date
By:
Director, Office of Land Management
The Commissi
of this permit c
the public inter
public purpose
Page 3 of 3
CITY OF ELK RIVER
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Elk~.:J
River
Police Department
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Bill Maertz
Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police
May 8, 2006
Babcock Park
I am in full agreement that if possible, the City of Elk River take over Babcock Park. I am
confident that this would give us the ability to address several concerns I have that are
directly related to our on-going issues of illicit outside sexual activity.
These would include:
Removal of the permanent restrooms and replacing them with portable toilets.
Trimming or removal of foliage and trees in certain areas (DNR and waterway act
permitting) to take away the primary areas used for outdoor sexual activity.
Better maintenance of the park itself-to help remove the debris and trash left behind by
those who frequent the park, and often leave a variety of illicit trash items behind.
This is a minimum cared for facility now, and with it being so visible to many who travel
through our community, any effort to present a better image to the motoring public is
greatly appreciated.
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT SH-ERC-028
STRUCTURES INVENTORY CS7101
Babcock Memorial Park
Historic Name Babcock Memorial Park I CS # I 7101 I
Other Name Babcock Wayside SH-ERC-028
SHPO Inv #
Location W side of TH 10 just N of TH Hwy TH 10
101 bridge over Mississippi District 3B
Reference 214.1
City/Township Elk River, City of
County Sherburne I Acres I 15.75 I
Twp Rng Sec 32N 26W Sec 03 2
Rest Area Class
USGS Quad Elk River
UTM Z15 E456230 N5015250 SP # 10-3-58-B
7101-02
Designer Nichols, A R, Consult Land Arch 7101-06
SHPO Review # 98-1869
Builder National Youth Administration (NY A)
Historic Use Roadside Parking Area MHS Photo # 013505.01
013508.12-24
Present Use Roadside Parking Area
I Yr of Landscape Design 11938-39 1 MnDOT Historic Ols 3.144 Ols 3.145
Photo Album Ols 3.146
Overall Site Integrity Moderately Altered
I Review Required I Yes I
National Register Status Not Eligible, see Statement of Significance
I H;,to.;c Context I I
I List of Standing Structures I
Feat# I Feature Type I Year Built I I Fieldwork Date I
01 Council Ring 1938 10-31-96
02 Council Ring 1938 I Prep by I
03 Picnic Table(s). Stone 1938
04 WelllPump 1938 Gemini Research
05 Picnic Shelter(s) 1972 Dec. 98 G1. 3
06 Restroom Bldg 1972 I Prep for I
07 Info Board 1972 Site Development Unit
Cultural Resources Unit
NOTE: Landscape features are not listed in this table Environmental Studies Unit
Final Report I Historic Roadside Development Structures on Minnesota Trunk Highways (1998)
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVaOPMENT
STRUCTURES INVENTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
. BRIEF
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
Council Ring A and Council Ring B. Erected 1938 by the NY A. 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 l' to l' 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 Tables. Erected 1938 by the NY A. 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 Shelters. 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 Building. Erected ca. 1972 by Mn/DOT. There is a concrete block restroom
building located west of the parking area. A concrete sidewalk links the building to the
asphalt-paved parking lot.
Information Board. Erected ca. 1972 by Mn/DOT. A gable-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
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEV8.0PMENT
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. A new gravel parking
area (with two grassy curb-lined islands) and a boat launching ramp were built at the park's
southern edge Gust 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, a gable-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 NY A (probably a rectangular timber sign) has apparently
been removed.
3
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DCVaOPM8\lT
STRUCTURES INV8\lTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
A geological marker was added to the site in 1953. It was located near the current
information board. It has since been removed.
The property retains integrity of location, setting, and association. However, its integrity of
design, materials, workmanship, and feeling has been compromised by the loss of park acreage,
the reconstruction of the entrance road and parking area, the construction of a restroom
building, picnic shelters, information board, and southern parking area, and the loss of stone
picnic fireplaces and a timber footbridge. While the historic council rings and picnic tables
are relatively unaltered, the property's overall landscape design has been changed considerably.
Notes on Condition
The stone council rings both need repair and are missing several stones. The limestone
picnic tables also need repair -- one of the sets is complete, one is missing the eastern
bench, and one is missing the table top and the western bench.
. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Babcock Memorial Park was constructed in 1938-1939 by the National Youth Administration
(NY A) in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Highways and the Babcock Memorial
Committee. Overseeing the project for the NY A were John J. Tessari of St. Paul, state
supervisor of work projects; John Sullivan of St. Cloud, NY A supervisor; Larry Reider of St.
Cloud, area NY A supervisor, and Parker Dragoo of St. Cloud, project foreman. The NY A
received an allocation of $5,000 for the six-month period of January to June, 1938, to
develop the land for the park. Approximately 35 young men from Elk River and the surrounding
area worked as part-time employees. Work began in January of 1938 with the NY A crew
clearing underbrush and trimming trees. The project was announced in the January 20,
1938, issue of the Sherburne County Star News:
Elk River is to have a large and attractive roadside park along the Mississippi River east
of town, to be known as the Babcock Memorial Park. . .. The park will be developed
along rustic lines, with trails, stone picnic tables, fireplaces, rustic footbridges and other
improvements. Native split stones will be used in the work and the whole scheme will
blend in to the natural beauty of the scenery, with the small brook running through
the park being used to good advantage (Sherburne County Star News, Jan. 20, 1938).
By the end of the project in November 1938, the NY A had constructed a small marker
(probably wooden), foot trails, council rings, fireplaces, a parking area, picnic tables, a rustic
footbridge, and a well, besides clearing brush and dead trees. The estimated total cost to
the state was $4,965 with the actual state expenditure being $1,295 (Annual Report 1938:28).
The original plans were signed by A. R. Nichols (Consulting Landscape Architect), Harold E.
Olson (Engineer of Roadside Development Division), A. W. Moulster (District Engineer). and
O. L. Kipp (Construction Engineer). The plans are stamped "Final Plans Construction Division
NYA Nov. 1, 1938."
The Department approved a planting plan in May of 1939 for a 4.5-mile stretch of T.H. 10,
including Babcock Memorial Park and the National Grange Historical Marker (located a few
miles to the south). The plan was signed by A. R. Nichols and Harold E. Olson, as well
as six other Highway Department officials: C. W. Lilly (Engineer of Plans). H. E. Chard
4
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVB..OPMalT
STRUCTURES INValTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
(District Engineer), G. G. Gladman (Engineer of Survey and Design), C. L. Methven (Assistant
Construction Engineer), J. T. Ellison (Chief Engineer), and S. Rex Green (Engineer of Lands
and Right-Of-Way).
Between 1946 and 1948, the highway department constructed a rustic footbridge of heavy
square timbers in Babcock Memorial Park, according to the Biennial Report of the Commissioner
of Highways of Minnesota from July 1, 1946 to June 30, 1948 (1948:55). It is not clear
where this bridge was located. It may have replaced the original timber footbridge across
the drainage ditch near the southern end of the site.
The Geological Society of Minnesota erected a marker in the park in 1953. The geological
marker was a metal plaque attached to a dolomite pedestal. The marker was removed fairly
recently. (See marker text at the end of this document.)
Babcock Memorial Park was named to commemorate Charles M. Babcock (1871-1936), who
served as Minnesota's first Commissioner of Highways from 1917 to 1933 and who initiated
the "Babcock Plan," which established the state trunk highway system. (See Additional
Background Information at the end of this document.)
. PREVIOUS SHPO REVIEWS
A Section 106 review was conducted in 1998 in preparation for a Mn/DOT project to construct
a new geological marker at the Babcock Memorial Park (SHPO Rev #98-1869). The review
occurred while this Mn/DOT Historic Roadside Development Structures Inventory was underway,
and a draft version of the inventory form was submitted to the Minnesota Historical Society
(MHS) as part of the review. In a letter to Allyson Brooks (Mn/DOT), dated April 27, 1998,
Britta L. Bloomberg (MHS) concurred with Inventory's recommendation that the property is
not eligible for the National Register (Bloomberg 1998). The documents that chronicle this
Section 106 review contain a few items of correspondence.
. STAT8IIIalT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Babcock Memorial Park, built in 1938-1939, is a Rustic style roadside parking area with a
complex site design. Babcock is one of only seven properties in this inventory that retain
stone picnic tables and one of only eight properties that retain council rings. Babcock is an
example of the roadside development work of prominent landscape architect A. R. Nichols.
It is one of a group of Depression-era sites that represent the MHD's earliest roadside
development facilities, and is one of 19 properties in the inventory that were built by the
NYA in partnership with the MHD.
This property has been evaluated within the historic context "Roadside Development on
Minnesota Trunk Highways, 1920-1960." It is recommended that, despite the factors listed
above, Babcock Memorial Park DOES NOT MEET National Register eligibility criteria due to
loss of integrity. The study found that, while some structures (such as the council rings
and stone picnic tables) are relatively unaltered, the property has lost many site elements and
its overall landscape design has been altered considerably.
5
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVB..OPMENT
STRUCTURES INVENTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
. OTHER COM M ENTS
This property may require further evaluation for potential archaeological resources.
T.H. 10 is fairly busy past this site but the site is below the elevation of, and some distance
from, the roadway.
The stone picnic tables at Babcock match those at four other parks that were inventoried:
Blazer Park, Graeser Park, Lilac Park, and St. Louis Park R.P.A. (all on T.H. 100 west of
Minneapolis) .
This portion of T.H. 10 has been designated part of the Great River Road.
. REFERENCES
Anderson, Rolf T. "Federal Relief Construction in Minnesota, 1933-1941." National Register
of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form. Oct. 9, 1990; amended Aug. 30,
1993.
Annual Report of the Accomplishments of Roadside Development Along the Trunk Highways
in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Highways. 1938.
Astrup, Joni. "Charles Babcock: Solving Local Road Problem Leads to Career Developing
Highway System." Sherburne County Star News, Sept. 24, 1985.
"Babcock Native of Sherburne County." Sherburne County Star News, July 23, 1931.
Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Highways of Minnesota From July 1, 1946 to June
30, 1948. Published Dec. 1, 1948.
Blegen, Theodore C. Minnesota: A History of the State. Minneapolis: University of
Minnesota Press, 1975.
Bloomberg, Britta L. (MHS). Letter to Allyson Brooks (Mn/DOT). Apr. 27, 1998.
"Charles M. Babcock Road Commissioner. Governor Burnquist Appointed Local Man to Newly
Created State Office Last Week." Sherburne County Star News, April 15, 1917.
Clark, James W. "We Owe Our Roads to Charlie Babcock." Minneapolis Tribune, undated
clipping.
"Develop Babcock Memorial Park here as National Youth Project." Sherburne County Star
News, Jan. 20, 1938.
Final Report National Youth Administration for the State of Minnesota: Sept. 1935 to July
1943. U.S. National Youth Administration, Minnesota, 1943.
"Former Governor Christianson Eulogizes Memory of Babcock." Sherburne County Star News,
Nov. 6, 1947.
6
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVB.OPMENT
STRUCTURES INVENTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
Larsen, Arthur J. The Development of the Minnesota Road System. St. Paul: Minnesota
Historical Society, 1966.
. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND TEXT OF MISSING GEOLOGICAL MARKER
Charles M. Babcock
Charles M. Babcock (1871-1936) served as Minnesota's Highway Commissioner from 1917
to 1933. Born and raised in Elk River, Babcock attended the University of Minnesota in
1892 where he studied engineering. His education was cut short by the financial panic of
1893 and he returned to Elk River to work at the family's general store. Babcock organized
a group of farmers and businessmen to improve the roads in Elk River and, as a result, he
was elected as a county commissioner. Babcock's success in developing the county's road
program led to his appointment in 1910 to the newly-formed state highway commission that
was composed of three members. In 1917, the highway commission was abolished and its
duties assumed by the office of the State Highway Commissioner. "It was a foregone
conclusion that the new office would be offered to Charles M. Babcock. He had been active
in good roads work for so many years, and had acquitted himself so well in his nonsalaried
position, that most people seem to have felt that he deserved the place" (Larsen 1966:440).
Soon after Babcock was appointed as Minnesota's first highway commissioner in 1917, he
developed a plan to improve the state's road system. The local newspaper wrote in 1931:
The study of road conditions in Minnesota convinced Mr. Babcock that it was necessary
to find a new source of highway revenue. . .. Therefore Mr. Babcock proposed that
part of the cost of maintaining the roads and providing for improvements be borne by
those who traveled them. His plan for a state system of trunk highways to be improved
and maintained with motor vehicle tax revenue and federal highway aid, is outstanding
in the substantial success into which it culminated (Sherburne County Star News, July
23, 1931).
The Babcock Plan became an amendment to the state constitution in 1919 and was approved
by the voters in 1920. This highway development plan called for improvement to 7,000
miles of roads and the creation of a state trunk highway system of 70 major highways.
Additions to the plan in later years included a bond issue that raised additional revenue for
highway development, increased car license fees, and instituted a gasoline tax. By 1930,
toward the end of Babcock's tenure as commissioner, approximately "1.400 miles of road
had been paved, and nearly as many had been given bituminous treatment. These developments
were supported by a succession of governors" (Blegen 1975:484).
Bk River
The Elk River was named for the herds of elk that populated the area. Zebulon Pike christened
the river with this name during his journey up the Mississippi in 1805. Two towns developed
on the northern and southern banks of the Elk River, Orono on the north, which became
known as 'lower town', and Elk River on the southern side. The village of Elk River was
platted in 1865, and in 1880 Orono merged with Elk River (the new town was incorporated
in 1881). The county seat was moved to Elk River in 1867.
7
MNDOT HISTORIC ROADSIDE DEVB.OPMENT
STRUCTURES INVENTORY
SH-ERC-028
CS 7101
Babcock Memorial Park
Text of Missing Geological Marker
"Geology of Minnesota. Elk River Region.
"The glaciers which covered Minnesota at intervals during the last million years brought with
them from Canada thousands of cubic miles of rock debris. The sand, gravel, and granite
boulders came chiefly from Ontario to the northeast, the limestone and clay from Manitoba
to the northwest. When the ice melted, the transported material -- Glacial Drift -- was
dropped to form a mantle of soil over the glaciated area. It is estimated that the fertility
of the soil in Minnesota has been increased 30 per cent by glacial action. The glacial
deposits in the Elk River region vary in fertility depending upon the proportions of sand, clay
and limestone.
"The melt waters from the glaciers tended to collect in streams which flowed away from the
ice in a radiating pattern. The Mississippi River at this point is such a stream started during
the last or Wisconsin stage of glaciation.
"Erected by the Geological Society of Minnesota in cooperation with the Department of
Highways State of Minnesota, 1953."
8
COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Prep by Gemini Research 12/30/03
SH-ERC-028
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 for 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.
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