Located on the Mississippi River, Raspberry Island Regional Park provides stunning views of downtown Saint Paul. This once neglected spit of land under the Wabasha Street Bridge became a beacon of beauty, light and music in 2002 when the Schubert Club commissioned the extraordinary bandstand from architect and glass artist James Carpenter. Part lantern, part irrepressible folly, the structure attracted immediate national attention. In 2008 the City invested $5 million on a redesign of the parkland to include landscaping features, a walking path, access points to the river, planting beds, benches, lighting, and a parking lot improvements. The commitment to maintaining the esthetics of Raspberry Island Regional Park earned it a prestigious award in the Public Landscape Design Category in 2009. 

Now, just as a vibrant new community of housing has sprung up along the river and a multi-million dollar housing project is in the works with Ramsey County, the bandstand has lost its luster due to vandalism and the elements. Its current condition creates safety hazards as well as an eyesore, diminishing its popularity as a destination for weddings, small concerts and private events. Restored, this iconic landmark has the potential to become an anchor of vibrancy along the riverfront.

Working with the original architect, the Conservancy has reviewed the conditions of the Bandstand on site and completed a design feasibility study. With $175,000 in hand from the City, the project is “shovel ready” as soon as the private match is secured.

“…a lyric structure that sings to the eye and to the heart; a materialization—a shockingly beautiful one–of music itself. It is an acoustical portal, a cornucopia for music to spill out of… surely one of the most beautiful works of public art ever built in the Twin Cities

Glenn Gordon, MN Artists