Champlin is discussing a possible purchase of its longtime Sinclair gas station, a roadside landmark known for its green fiberglass dinosaur, Dino, and neon sign. A long-term vision approved by the City Council imagines turning the site into a park, reusing the station as a warming house and adding recreation areas with better riverfront access. The city has not finalized a purchase or approved construction of the park.
Champlin Is Considering a Purchase of the Sinclair Station
For now, the city is discussing whether to buy the Sinclair station property near Highway 169 and the Mississippi River. The owners put the business up for sale as Champlin plans the next phase of riverfront redevelopment. City leaders see the site as an important entrance to the community, but a purchase is still under discussion. The long-term park idea depends on what happens with the property, so it should not be read as an approved construction project.
The Park Vision Would Preserve Dino and the Neon Sign
The proposed plan aims to keep the features that turned the station into a local landmark: Dino, the green fiberglass dinosaur, and the real neon Sinclair sign on the roof. The station dates to the 1930s, although its current building was constructed in the 1950s. The family-operated business became a roadside attraction over the years, with Dino dressed for holidays and local events. Preserving those familiar details would let the site change while keeping visible reminders of its history.
The Station Could Become a Warming House Beside Skating Rinks
Rather than removing the gas station buildings, the city’s long-term concept would adapt them for park use. One idea is to convert the station into a warming house and incorporate the fuel canopy into the design. The draft vision also includes skating and hockey areas, along with an art walk and basketball court. These are possible amenities in a broader redevelopment plan, not finished designs or confirmed construction work. Their eventual form would depend on future planning and decisions about the site.
Riverfront Connections and Water Activities Are Still Possibilities
The concept looks beyond the station itself, with the goal of improving pedestrian access to the riverfront trail. It also raises the possibility of kayak rentals and a launch for nonmotorized boats along the Mississippi. The city has already developed parts of its riverfront with an amphitheater, event center, restaurant, apartments and places for boaters to dock. A park at the Sinclair site could connect with that wider area, but the kayak and launch ideas remain possibilities within the long-term vision.
