Hennepin County maintains two Eco-yards where residents can learn about environmentally friendly, sustainable landscaping. 

Locations

Eco-Yard Midtown

2801 21st Ave. South, Minneapolis

Adjacent to the Green Institute and the Midtown Greenway just west of the Hiawatha Light Rail. The Eco-Yard Midtown is easily accessible by bus, bike or light rail. Carpooling is also encouraged.

Hours:  Open every day until sunset.

Eco-Yard Brooklyn Park

8100 Jefferson Hwy, Brooklyn Park
Located at the Brooklyn Park drop-off facility

Hours:  Check facility hours of operation. 

Eco-yard sustainable landscaping approach

With sustainable landscaping, plants thrive with minimal amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, water and time. Once established, this approach requires less maintenance than traditional landscaping. 

Sustainable landscaping techniques also benefit air and water quality by lessening the need for gas-powered yard care equipment and by filtering stormwater. 

The eco-yards demonstrate: 

  • Prairie plantings of wild flowers and grasses
  • Rain gardens
  • Rainwater swale (Midtown)
  • Fescue lawns
  • Small and tall shrub mass plantings
  • A permeable paver plaza (Midtown)

Tour an eco-yard

The Eco-Yards are open for self-guided tours throughout the growing season. Groups can also schedule a guided tour with a landscaping professional by calling 612-348-3777. 

Eco-yard partners

Eco-Yard partners include the Green Institute, the Midtown Greenway Coalition, Hennepin Conservation District, the University of Minnesota Extension Service and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.