(Click here, here and here for past stories about Bob Lambert.)

The pavilion at Purgatory Creek Park gained the name of former parks director Bob Lambert at a dedication ceremony Monday.

“This is one of the places where you can really see Bob’s vision,” said City Manager Scott Neal, a vision that has been “replicated in all corners of the community.”

City Council Member Sherri Butcher said that when she first met Lambert, she heard others say, “That Bob Lambert. He gets everything he wants.”

And if he didn’t gain approval of a proposal at first, he would eventually. She said she later learned the truth. “Bob Lambert gets everything he wants.”

City Council Member Brad Aho cited the effort, planning and vision that have gone into the city’s park system. “We have a fantastic park system and that is because of your vision,” he said to Lambert.

Lambert thanked everyone in the city, leadership and staff, for supporting the community’s parks. “This park system turned out to be a pretty doggone nice place,” he said.

After a few jokes about what he was going to have to pay for the “naming rights,” Lambert was joined by family members to pose for a few photos.

Lambert lives on his family’s farm in St. Peter. He hasn’t left meetings behind since retiring as Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Department director – Lambert serves on the St. Peter School District Board of Education. – Compiled by Karla Wennerstrom