Gardens and Natural Areas

The splendor of Minneapolis' gardens and natural areas add to the beauty and enjoyment of our park system.

Gardens

From the landscaped gardens at Lyndale Park to the natural wonders of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, there are many styles of gardens to explore. Stop and smell the roses, watch dizzying hummingbirds or even volunteer your Green Thumb talents at MPRB gardens.

Natural Areas & Native Plant Communities

The MPRB's greenway corridors are the backbone of the Park system. These corridors, originally planned by Horace Cleveland and developed under the direction of Superintendent Theodore Wirth, connect the natural features of the Minneapolis Regional Park system (its lakes, rivers and streams) to neighborhoods. These natural areas enhance residents' awareness and enjoyment of the natural environment.

Within these natural areas there are areas that have been planted with native plants as part of land management. There are also remnant native plant communities, small fragments of the original vegetation that was here prior to European settlement and urbanization of the city.