Art in the Park Celebrates 20 Years
- Trinity Gruenberg
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
by Trinity Gruenberg
Art in the Park will be celebrating its 20th year at Nelson Park in Eagle Bend, which itself is now 25 years old.
Nelson Park was originally a homestead with a house and a barn. Bob and Kay Nelson sold the land to the city of Eagle Bend. The Nelsons returned most of the proceeds. Their vision was to use the land to bring happiness to everyone.
Liz Westegren is one of the original members of the Petal Pushers garden club and was involved with the Eagle Bend Economic Development to help develop the park. When the property was purchased, the old barn remained but was later removed. Funds were received to help create the pathways in the park and to establish tennis courts.
The chapel in the park was originally located on Alfred and Eva Schroeder’s farm and was built in memory of their grandson, who was killed in a bicycle accident. After Alfred and Eva passed away, a club member proposed donating the chapel, the Little Chapel of the Flowers, to the park in 2004.
They collaborated with David Braaten and David Anderson, who moved the chapel to the park using his tractor. The chapel became a central feature of the park, and the Petal Pushers helped enhance the landscaping around it, including original peony bushes from the original farmstead property.
The chapel has become a significant landmark in the park’s development and holds great sentimental value for the community.
A meditation garden was created with a three sided obelisk fountain, scroll design benches and angel statuary. A water fountain was added but was later removed after becoming inoperable due to vandalism.
The Eagle Bend Development Corporation oversaw the installation of memorial benches, placed according to the donors’ preferences regarding their location and direction.
Today, Nelson Park features a shelter and picnic area, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a playground, along with bathrooms, showers, and a dump station for campers...
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