HomeMy WebLinkAboutEditionEdina_June-2025-WebBoos’ Cabin Receives 2025 Heritage Award
Parkwood Knolls Teen Nominated Rescued Cabin Built in 1932
BY LAUREN SIEBENALER
Who says you have to head up north to
find a cabin? Tucked away in the middle of
Edina, Jim and Mary Frey have one right in
their backyard — but it’s not your average
log retreat.
The cabin is roughly 700 square feet and
sits behind their home at 5017 Oak Bend
Lane. It’s named “Boos’ Cabin” after local
dentist Dr. Ralph Boos. The cabin was built
in 1932 by a Native American craftsman.
“It’s a work of art and it’s not just a regular
cabin,” said Jim Frey. “There’s no nails,
there’s no mortar; all of the logs fit together
perfectly. It’s just an amazing piece of work,
and I’m not sure that there are a lot of
people alive who could build that today.”
Growing up in Edina, Jim Frey had been
familiar with the lore of Boos’ cabin, which
was located off of Blake Road at the time.
In 1995, Boos’ roughly 10 acres was put up
for sale and subdivided. Jim Frey decided
to purchase land for his future home and
negotiate with the property owner to keep
and move the cabin, which was going to
be torn down for a new building. Frey is
a lawyer and worked on the contract to
purchase and move the cabin to his property.
Frey’s 13-year-old neighbor, Elise Matney,
has taken an interest in Boos’ Cabin nearly
30 years later. Matney is an explorer and
writer for Stroll magazine, a Parkwood Knolls
Neighborhood publication. She did a deep
dive into the cabin’s history and published
an article in Stroll in September 2024.
“Mary and Jim Frey introduced me to a
hidden gem—a cozy little cabin nestled in
the woods. The cabin promptly captured
my imagination and the Freys graciously
allowed me to explore it and share it with
neighborhood friends,” said Elise. “I fell in
love with its unique charm and rich history.
I became passionate about sharing local
treasures like this cabin with our community
through writing and reporting. I also
learned the importance of championing
preservation efforts that keep these special
places alive, open and filled with memories
for friends and families to enjoy today.”
Matney heard about the Heritage Award
and nominated the cabin with the
investigative information from her article.
In early May, the Freys were notified they
were selected as Heritage Award recipients
by the Heritage Preservation Commission.
“In a world filled with modern buildings,
new construction and elaborate designs,
Boos’ Cabin holds a special charm that
connects the past to the present,” said
Katie Pope, Vice-Chair of the Heritage
Preservation Commission. “The selection
of this year’s Heritage Award shines a
light on the importance of preserving
these treasures. Boos’ Cabin serves as
a reminder of tradition, craftsmanship
and community, making it worthy of
recognition and protection.”
Boos’ Cabin, located near a pond in the Parkwood Knolls Neighborhood, is a historical gem that has
even had a moment in Hollywood by being featured in “The Heartbreak Kid.” (Submitted Photo)
Elise Matney, an 8th-grader at Blake School
and Parkwood Knolls resident, has a passion
for exploring the neighborhood with her dog,
Chloe. Both are pictured at Boos’ Cabin, where
Elise has taken an interest in telling the
story of this historical place with her
community. (Submitted Photo)
Edition: Edina
JUNE 2025
Volume 12, Issue 6Strong FoundationCITY GOALS:Better TogetherReliable Service Livable City
City of Edina EdinaMN.gov 1
Fifth ‘Century Home’ in Edina Recognized in 2025
A 120-Year-Old Edina House is Celebrated for its History
BY KATE HEIMEL
A home in the Todd Park Neighborhood was
recently recognized as a “Century Home” by
the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission.
It is the fifth house to be recognized since
the initiative launched last year.
The Commission, in collaboration with the
Edina Historical Society, began the program
to celebrate the history of homes that are
100 or more years old. It aims to recognize
the historical significance of century-old
properties, spark neighborhood
conversations and highlight how repairs
and renovations reduce the carbon emissions
that come with demolition and construction.
“This is meant to be a ‘feel good’ program,”
said Emily Dalrymple, Assistant City Planner
and staff liaison to the Heritage Preservation
Commission. “There are no strings attached.
We want to pique people’s interest and give
a peek into older houses.”
The application is a simple process, mainly
requiring some research on the history of the
house. This research can include information
like the original owners and other long-term
or notable owners, interesting information
about people who have lived in the home,
architectural style, architect and builder,
notable features, major renovations and any
stories about the home and its occupants.
After applying, homeowners will receive a
bronze plaque with the year that the house
was built to symbolize its history.
The 120-year-old house standing at
4425 North Ave. was built in 1905 by
John Moore, a Canadian who came to
Minnesota in the early 1900s. The house
originally stood on 10 acres of land where
the Moore family grew vegetables and
raised a horse, cow and chickens.
New Amenity to Quiet the Mind Being Added to Arneson Acres Park
Garden Council, Kelodale Garden Club Donate Funds for Labyrinth
The plan includes 26 recommendations
under six priorities:
•Promote a balanced approach to
housing that reflects community
needs and preferences;
•Encourage a diverse array of businesses
that support the community’s needs;
•Create vibrant spaces that encourage
and foster community and inclusivity;
•Preserve and enhance the natural
environment, prioritizing sustainability
and outdoor activities;
•Ensure safe, accessible and efficient
movement for all; and
•Foster a forward-thinking approach to
development that involves the community.
Council Members applauded the group’s
work on the plan, calling it a model for
other small area plans. Because the small
area plan is an amendment to the City’s
Comprehensive Plan, it must also be
approved by the Metropolitan Council.
That review is underway.
•Approved a rezoning of 5100 Eden Ave.,
subdivision approval of a new plat, site plan
and multiple variances that would make it
possible for The Opus Group to move its
headquarters from Minnetonka to Edina.
Opus plans to tear down the four-story
office building at 5100 Eden and build a
new 112,000-square-foot, five-story office
building that would include a restaurant or
retail space on the first floor. Opus intends
to occupy a portion of the building, which
would serve as its corporate headquarters.
Opus’ plan replaces a previous proposal for
an apartment building and retail space on
the site.
The Council will next meet 7 p.m. June 3 and
17. For more information, visit EdinaMN.gov.
– COMPILED BY JENNIFER BENNEROTTE
Giving the community another place to
meditate and calm anxieties, the Edina Garden
Council and its Kelodale Garden Club have
donated money to the City to construct a
labyrinth at Arneson Acres Park.
The 30-foot concrete circle with a labyrinth
design stained in the concrete will be placed at
the south end of the formal garden of the park,
4711 W. 70th St. The labyrinth completes the
Arneson Acres Park design with the gazebo at
one end, fountain in the center and labyrinth at
the far end. A semicircle of 10 crabapple trees,
representing the number of clubs in the Garden
Council at the time they were planted, forms
the backdrop for the labyrinth.
“Children and adults alike can use it, and
it completes the design for the park,” said
Kelodale Garden Club member Dianne Plunkett
Latham, who has coordinated the project.
The labyrinth will have a medieval design. It
will have a charcoal color outline and a path
in pale yellow to match the fountain.
Lowell Russel Concrete has been hired for the
project, which will be maintained and preserved
by the City. The labyrinth is scheduled to be
constructed this summer. Once work begins,
the project is estimated to take two to three
weeks to complete. After installation, the
Garden Council will donate some small trees
or shrubs to enhance the labyrinth landscape.
In other business last month, the Council:
•Approved a plan to use the site of the current
Fire Station 2 for a new water treatment plant.
Once the new Fire Station 2 opens, the existing
building at 7335 York Ave. would eventually
be demolished. Planning, engineering and
architectural design for a new building to house
Water Treatment Plant 5 will begin now that
the reuse plan has been approved.
•Adopted the Lincoln & Londonderry Small
Area Plan.
Today, the house is owned by Jen and Paul
Hovelsrud, who have lived there since 2008.
“We fell in love with it, largely because of
the history,” said Jen Hovelsrud. “I love
the lot across from the creek, love the
wraparound porch and just love that it’s not
perfect. Some of the floors aren’t exactly
even upstairs, but it just speaks to that
history and how long it’s been here, what
it’s lived through, and that feels really good.”
Only a few changes have been made to the
original house. Before the Hovelsrud family
moved in, the previous owners expanded
the back of the house. Then, the Hovelsruds
redid a bathroom and the kitchen when they
bought the house.
“We’ve largely tried to keep the integrity
of the house intact,” said Hovelsrud. “The
people who we bought the house from
knew that it would be cheaper to tear this
house down than it would be to add on
and sort of modernize parts of it. I am really
grateful they didn’t do that because I think it
would be a shame for us to not be connected
to the original house. There’s not a day goes
by that I don’t walk the stairs and think of
who was walking those stairs before me.”
This century-old home has become an
important place to many people in its
100-year history.
It has accumulated a rich and diverse history
going from being the only house on the
plot of land in 1905 to being one of the
oldest houses in the city today. It has been a
place that several families have called home
and will continue to be that place for many
families to come.
“It predates us, and it probably will postdate
us, and that feels like a great continuation of
history,” said Hovelsrud.
Paul and Jennifer Hovelsrud are proud of their Century Home at 4425 North Ave. Most of the house is
the original architecture. Learn more at EdinaMN.gov/CenturyHome. (Photo by Jason Heuer)
The Aquatic Center opens June 5 for its 67th
season as the place for summer fun in Edina.
Cool off in the pools and play spaces for
everyone from small children to aspiring surfers.
Daily, multi-admission and season passes
available; visit EdinaAquaticCenter.com.
300
Length in feet of the
Pirate’s Plunge tube slide
50
Length of lap in meters at
the Olympic-sized main pool
Lost Wave surf simulator,
the only outdoor FlowRider
in Minnesota
1
82 - 84
Temperature all pools are
kept for swimmer comfort
- COMPILED BY DEBBIE TOWNSEND
403,902
Visitors over the
last five years
BY THE NUMBERS Edina Aquatic Center
RECURRING EVENTS
Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Concerts, Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.
Concerts, Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 3,
9-10:30 a.m.
Art Cart with the Edina Art Center,
Centennial Lakes Park
Thursdays starting June 5, 3-7 p.m.
Farmers Market, Centennial Lakes Park
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, June 1
Pride Month begins
Sunday, June 1, 7 p.m.
Hunker’d Down Blues Band, Centennial
Lakes Park
Tuesday, June 3, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m.
Kidpower Music and Live Animal Show,
Centennial Lakes Park
Thursday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.
Aquatic Center opens for the season
Friday, June 6, 3-8 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Edina Art Fair, 50th & France
Sunday, June 8, 7 p.m.
First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band,
Centennial Lakes Park
Thursday, June 12, 7:30 a.m.
Housing & Redevelopment Authority
meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 12, 11-11:30 a.m.
Online Project Talks: Vernon Avenue &
Highway 100 Interchange Project;
EdinaMN.gov/Highway100Talks
Friday, June 13, 3 p.m.
Dapper Barons, Edina Liquor – Grandview
Sunday, June 15, 7 p.m.
Luke LeBlanc Trio, Centennial Lakes Park
Monday, June 16, 7 p.m.
Brio Brass, Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m.
City Council meeting, Edina City Hall
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth, City offices closed
Thursday, June 19, 3-7 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration,
Centennial Lakes Park
Sunday, June 22, 7 p.m.
Just Dave & the Rockin’ All Stars Band,
Centennial Lakes Park
Tuesday, June 24, 10 a.m.
Sticks & Tones, Centennial Lakes Park
Wednesday, June 25, 6 p.m.
Walk with the Mayor, Centennial Lakes Park
Watch City Council, Housing &
Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission meetings live on Edina TV
(Comcast Channels 813 or 16) or online.
For a complete listing of meetings and
events, visit EdinaMN.gov/Calendar.
2 3City of Edina EdinaMN.gov
Rock On at Centennial Lakes Park with Grooves and Foods
Free Series Features Covers of Classic Rock Every Tuesday in June
BY JACEY MISMASH
Nothing beats a summer night with jammin’
music, tasty food and great people. Luckily,
finding that night just got a whole lot easier
with the “Grooves and Foods” entertainment
scheduled in June at Centennial Lakes Park—
and entry is free to the public, thanks to the
Rotary Clubs of Edina and Edina-Morningside.
“Creating a positive event that brings the
community together is really important
these days,” said City Manager Scott Neal,
“and doing it through music is even better.”
Grooves and Foods is a series brought to life
by Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee
Mick Sterling and internationally awarded
Executive Producer Wayne Anthony. The
performances will feature covers of rock
‘n’ roll hits from artists such as Billy Joel,
Doobie Brothers and Van Morrison.
“What we’re hoping to provide is a great
summer night,” said Sterling. “It’s also a great
opportunity for Edina residents to learn what
the Rotary Club can do for the community.”
Every Tuesday in June, attendees can start off
their night at the park, 7499 France Ave. S.,
by listening in on “The Mick Sterling
Experience,” a live radio show from 5:30
to 6:30 p.m. at the Maetzold Amphitheater
that will discuss all things entertainment,
Rotary, music and more.
Main stage performances will start at
7 p.m. with food and beverages available
for purchase from Camion Mobile Kitchen
throughout the evening.
Lifetime musician and current Rotary Club
of Edina President Paul “St. Paul” Peterson
has worked hard to bring Grooves & Foods
to Edina, hoping to integrate the mission of
Rotary with his passion for music. Peterson
will perform with his band, “The Classic
American Rockers,” on Tuesday, June 17.
“As Rotarians, we embraced the opportunity
to create a community event for the city of
Edina,” said Peterson. “Not only do we get
to tell the story of what the Rotary does, but
we get to bring together residents and people
from outside the community through music.”
For more information about the
Grooves and Foods entertainment series,
visit groovesandfoodsfestival.com.
Grooves and Foods debuts in Edina this summer
at Centennial Lakes Park. Rotary Club of Edina
President Paul Peterson will be a featured
performer on Tuesday, June 17. (Submitted Photo)
Grooves and Foods Lineup
June 3: A Billy Joel State of Mind - (Mick Sterling)
June 10: Minute by Minute featuring the music of Michael McDonald, Doobie
Brothers, Kenny Loggins, James Ingram (Wayne Anthony)
June 17: The Classic American Rockers, featuring musicians who have toured
with The Steve Miller Band, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Peter
Frampton and more (St. Paul Peterson)
June 24: Beautiful Vision featuring the music of Van Morrison (Mick Sterling)
952-927-8861 | mail@EdinaMN.govCity of Edina EdinaMN.gov4