MINNEAPOLIS — Chaska’s Athletic Park is on the list of Minnesota’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2009 announced today.

Also included are a small-town creamery, a 19th century hotel and a roadside icon. They represent just a few of the diverse sites named to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota’s 2009 list.

The list, the 16th annual compilation the alliance has released, profiles the state's most endangered historic sites.

Citizens and groups from around the state submit nominations for the list. Final selections are made by a selection committee including members of the following groups: the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota; State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society; the Society of Architectural Historians, Minnesota Chapter; Historic Resources Committee of the American Institute of Architects-Minnesota; Preserve Minneapolis; the University of Minnesota; Pine Center for the Arts; and the Minnesota advisors to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2009:

• The Big Fish, Bena.

• Chaska Athletic Park, Chaska.

• Palace Hotel, Crookston.

• Dassel Coop Dairy Association Creamery Building, Dassel.

• Saint Louis County Jail, Duluth.

• Rock Island Swing Bridge, Inver Grove Heights.

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• Foley-Brower-Bohmer House, Saint Cloud.

• Schmidt Brewery, Saint Paul.

• Distressed Urban Neighborhoods, statewide.

• Historic Wood Windows, statewide.

The 10 Most Endangered program is designed to spotlight historic properties that face imminent danger through demolition, neglect, severe alteration, or inappropriate public policy. Through this program the alliance seeks favorable outcomes that can be achieved through a preservation approach.

Of the 132 historic places listed over the life of this important program, two-thirds have been saved in part through the awareness generated by their listing.

Success stories include Midtown Exchange and the Ivy Tower in Minneapolis, Saint Paul’s Head and Sack House, the Stillwater Lift Bridge, the former Red Wing High School, the Litchfield Opera House, and Virginia’s B’Nai Abraham Synagogue.

A full listing of previous 10 Most Endangered properties, and more information about the alliance’s work to preserve, protect, and promote Minnesota’s historic resources, can be found at www.mnpreservation.org.