Graeser Park Angels Memorial Fund

Help us create a living tribute to Graeser Park champions who have left us.

The Graeser Park Angels Memorial Fund was established to honor the lives of Robbinsdale Lions members Kent Brun (1952-2023) and Jeannine ‘Niner’ McDonald (1964-2024), and Architectural Historian Carol Ahlgren (1958-2021). All three were instrumental in saving Graeser Park.

Please help us beautify the park and memorialize one of these dedicated volunteers, or donate to the General Memorial Fund. With your help, the park will have new, sustainable plants that will bloom year after year in a living tribute.

Use this form to submit your tax-deductible donation(s).



If you prefer you may write a check, payable to Robbinsdale Historical Society, and note GP Angels (and a person if desired) in the memo.

Mail to:
Robb. Historical Society Attn: GP Angels
4915 42nd Avenue North
Robbinsdale, MN 55422

For updates, please follow Restore Lilac Way online and on Facebook and join other enthusiasts in the Graeser Park Restoration and Preservation Facebook group. Learn more about Graeser Park on our website, and more about these three stellar individuals below. Thank you.

Jeannine ‘Niner’ McDonald

Graeser Park, June 22 2019. The incomparable Jeannine 'Niner' McDonald has put sweat equity into cleaning the park for many years.
Starting in 2008, when the rock garden was all but buried in mud and overgrowth, Lion Jeannine “Niner” McDonald devoted herself to cleaning up the debris. A teacher during the school year, she spent her summer vacations working at the park, putting in countless hours. (Photo: Karen Laukkonen, June 2018)

Kent Brun

Graeser Park, August 14, 2018. Kent Brun discussing the efforts of the Robbinsdale Lions in the park.
Lion Kent Brun was a true ambassador for Graeser Park, reaching people who didn’t even know the rock garden existed. Here he led a tour as part of the “Meet Me at the Beehive” event series in 2018. On cleanup days, he brought his own lawn mower to tame the invasive grasses–and his wife Janice brought donuts and coffee. (Photo: Karen Laukkonen, August 2018)

Carol Ahlgren

Graeser Park, August 14, 2018. Carol Ahlgren discusses the Jefferson Highway and Lilac Way at an event.
Architectural historian Carol Ahlgren spoke during the “Meet Me at the Beehive” series on the work of landscape architect Arthur Nichols, who designed the park in the “Rustic Style” of America’s National Parks. An expert on the Jefferson Highway, she explained this early tourist route connecting motorists to the park. Carol and her husband, Mark Mueske, took part in cleaning the rock garden and overlook plaza. (Photo: Karen Laukkonen, August 2018)