Northeast Middle School Green Campus
An underused parking lot has been converted into pollution-filtering raingarden and a learning laboratory for middle school students.
Overview
Project Details
City: Minneapolis
Type: Action Grant, Planning Grant
Status: Completed
MWMO Funding: $59,640
Partners: Audubon Neighborhood Association; Civil Site Group; Creative Lawn & Landscapes, Inc.; Minneapolis Public Schools; Northeast Middle School
Nancy Stowe
Projects and Outreach Director
612-746-4978
Email Nancy Stowe
View Bio
An underused parking lot has been converted into pollution-filtering landscape and a learning laboratory for middle school students in this innovative green campus project.
Working in collaboration with the Audubon Neighborhood Association, Northeast Middle School removed a significant portion of pavement (23,000 square feet) from its south parking lot. In its place, they constructed a large biofiltration basin (a type of raingarden) filled with native plants. In addition to treating stormwater runoff and protecting water quality in the watershed, the project will provide hands-on environmental learning opportunities for students, who will be involved in maintaining the site.
The new Northeast Middle School raingarden is located along a heavily traveled avenue near a Northeast Minneapolis business district, which will provide added visibility and create new opportunities for public outreach. Many of the school’s students will also go on to study at Edison High School, providing a connection between the two innovative green campus projects.