- Baker National Golf Course in Medina, MN (1999)
- Baker Park Golf Course in Loretto, MN (1989)
- Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley, MN (2000)
- Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, MN (1989)
- Burl Oaks Golf Course in Minnetrista, MN (2004)
- Chaska Town Golf Course in Chaska, MN (1996)
- Chaska Town Golf Course Paths in Chaska, MN (2023)
- Chomonix Golf Course in Lino Lakes, MN (2001)
- Columbia Golf Course in Minneapolis, MN (2003)
- Cumberland Golf Course in Cumberland, WI (1989)
- Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, MN (1987)
- Enger/Lester Golf Courses in Duluth, MN (1991)
- Giants Ridge Golf Course in Biwabik, MN (1996)
- Golf Course At Dakota Magic in Hankinson, ND (2003)
- Hiawatha Golf Course in Minneapolis, MN (1993)
- inverwood Golf Course in inver Grove Heights, MN (1993)
- Lafayette Club Course in Minnetonka, MN (1994)
1916 – PARK TRANSFER COMPANY OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED
The Park Construction Company was originally known as the Park Transfer Company. Our firm was officially incorporated on December 1, 1916, right in the middle of World War I. The company’s mission was to “transport personal property for hire also to care for, keep and store personal property” principally in the Minneapolis area.
1920 – EXPANDING TO FREIGHT HAULING AND EXCAVATING
After World War I, brothers Bennett and Charles Carlson took over the company and expanded the business into general freight hauling, eventually offering their services to the excavating business. Their hard work and determination to keep their father’s company alive led to the evolution of Park Construction Company, the thriving construction company we know today. The Carlson brothers created something far bigger than Walter could have ever imagined, and their legacy lives on.
1935 – SURVIVING THE GREAT DEPRESSION
The Great Depression of the 1930s was a difficult period for many companies in Minnesota, and Park Construction was no exception. Despite the innovations in machinery during this time, the economic downturn took a significant toll on our bottom line. In the early 1930s, Park Construction filed for bankruptcy reorganization, a move that was unfortunately all too common among Minnesota companies at the time. Despite these challenges, Park remained resilient and continued to persevere. Our company was soon to be part of the war effort for World War II.
1941 – PARK JOINS THE WAR EFFORT
As part of the government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) war materials production program, Park Construction joined forces with hundreds of subcontractors to help build a new ordinance plant for the U.S Army. Located about 11 miles north of downtown Minneapolis in Arden Hills, the plant ran alongside what is now Interstate 35W. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure the construction of the ordinance plant was completed in a timely and efficient manner. The construction of this plant accompanied other Herculean efforts to gear up for the war, and our company was proud to play a part in this historic event.
1956 – MAJOR HIGHWAY WORK BEGINS
In 1956, Park Construction began work on what would become one of our most significant projects yet: the first section of I-694. This highway was designed to bypass Minneapolis and St. Paul, and it quickly became the main roadway for the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities. This project was completed in 1961 and marked the start of Park’s long history of highway construction projects.
1968 – RICHARD N. CARLSON BECOMES PRESIDENT AND CEO
Our company continued to grow and expand over the following years. In 1968, Richard N. Carlson became the President and CEO, marking the third generation of his family to lead the company. And in the 1970s, Park diversified its customer base and began to specialize in highway bridge work in the Upper Midwest, including in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.
1980s & 1990s – EXPANDING OPERATIONS
In the 1980s, Park Construction expanded operations into Colorado by opening an office in Denver. Our work in Colorado included the massive Anheuser-Busch Facility. Our commercial project highlights during this time included the Star Tribune Building in Minneapolis and Canterbury Downs in Shakopee.
Our expertise in highway and bridge projects also continued to grow during the 80s and 90s, as we took on projects such as the 610 Bridge over the Mississippi River, the I-94 corridor from Downtown Minneapolis to I-694, and the Baldhill Dam in Valley City, North Dakota.
In addition to these locations, we performed work in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. These projects included grading, paving, utilities, demolition, sheeting, piping, and bridge/culvert construction.
GOLF COURSES
Our experience with grading and heavy earth moving isn’t just reserved for highway and industrial projects – Park Construction has built numerous golf courses around the Midwest region. In addition to earthwork and paving, our services include the construction of irrigation and drainage control structures, ensuring your favorite courses are always in top-notch condition. We work closely with our golf clients to ensure that their courses are able to stay open during construction updates.
Here is a list of golf courses that Park has created or updated:
- Lakeside Country Club Golf Course in Perham, MN (1999)
- Majestic Oaks Golf Course in Hugo, MN (1999)
- Milaca Golf Course in Milaca, MN (1999)
- Minneapolis Parks Golf Course in Minneapolis, MN (1993)
- Nemadji Golf Course in Superior, WI (2000)
- New Ulm Country Club Course in New Ulm, MN (2001)
- North Branch Golf Course in North Branch, MN (1999)
- Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker, MN (2000)
- Prestwick Golf Course in Woodbury, MN (2006)
- River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove (1990)
- The Bridges Golf Course in Winona, MN (2006)
- The Quarry Golf Course in Biwabik, MN (2002)
- Theodore WIrth Golf Course in Minneapolis, MN (1994)
- Watertown Golf Course in Watertown, SD (2006)
- Wildridge Golf Course in Eau Claire, WI (1998)
- Zumbrota Golf Course in Zumbrota, MN (2004)
2000s – SCALING BACK THEN SURGING AHEAD
The start of the new millennium brought some rough waters for Park Construction. The economy faced turbulence, and as a result, the company had to make tough decisions. The fleet was scaled back, but amidst the challenges, Park remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
Weathering the storm paid off, as we initiated a remarkable resurgence in 2009. With a renewed spirit and unwavering determination, our company started growing rapidly again. A focus on innovation and quality drove the resurgence, leading to exciting opportunities on the horizon.
In 2011, Jeffrey R. Carlson, a dynamic leader from the 4th generation of the Carlson family, stepped into the role of President. His leadership brought fresh perspectives and an enduring commitment to our core values.
2010s – DIVERSIFICATION OF SERVICES
To better compliment Park’s services and seeing a need to continue to help improve our communities, Park Construction began offering asphalt paving services in 2014. Park has grown this service to become one of the largest asphalt paving contractors in the Minneapolis / St. Paul Metro area.
As part of the company’s expansion, Park Construction delved into the world of oil and gas work in 2015. The company’s restructuring led to the creation of “Park Energy Services,” a new division committed to delivering excellence in the oil and gas sector.
The year 2016 marked a significant expansion for Park as we acquired the Marcy Construction Company. Marcy was renowned for its expertise in complex concrete forming and placement for heavy industrial and public works projects. This strategic move further supplemented our capabilities and allowed us to serve more diverse service areas.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
We had the immense honor in 2018 of contributing to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival by working on the iconic Minnesota Ice Palace. The 4,000 block, 70-foot tall Ice Palace stood tall and proud in Rice Park, captivating guests from all corners of the country during the 17-day Carnival. Being part of this magical endeavor was truly a highlight for our team.
In 2020, in the face of the unprecedented COVID lockdown, Park Construction stepped up to protect our most valuable asset – our staff members. Implementing new safety protocols that exceeded industry standards, we ensured the well-being of our team while continuing to serve our clients with dedication and care.
In 2023, we embarked on an exciting new journey as we opened a brand-new office in Fargo, North Dakota. We are excited to take this next step and bring our commitment to excellence in construction services to the thriving Fargo area.