Variety

Urban sanctuaries

By Photo essay by Brian Peterson, Star Tribune

June 28, 2019 at 12:30PM
For those living in downtown or just visiting, Gold Medal Park in downtown Minneapolis is designed to nurture contemplative moments and artistic awareness. The focal point of the park is the sculptural observation mound at the center of a spiral walkway, rising out of a green lawn with over 200 mature trees. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuari
Gold Medal Park in downtown Minneapolis is designed to “nurture contemplative moments and artistic awareness.” At right, a barred owl keeps a watchful eye from its perch in a maple tree at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a popular place for birders. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

If you're looking to unwind and get in touch with nature, there's no need to head north. As alluring as lake country can be, there are plenty of places around the Twin Cities that can serve as your oasis.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are found frequently atop lists of the nation's best park systems, and each offers a variety of green spaces to suit any nature lover.

Want an urban setting? Gold Medal Park in downtown Minneapolis nestles against the Mississippi River amid more than 200 mature trees and a spiral walkway with sweeping city views.

The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, part of Theodore Wirth Regional Park, feels more remote, even though it's located between two major roadways. Explore the trails that boast more than 500 plant species on your own or catch a guided tour with park naturalists. You should be just in time for showy lady's slipper and native irises.

Across the river, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul maintains an eclectic group of gardens — indoor and outdoor. Find your inner peace in the bonsai and Japanese gardens, or get a Minnesota horticulture lesson among the 5,000 native cultivars in the Minnesota and Circle Gardens.

In the western suburb of Chaska, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has been named the country's best botanical garden, once again. Spring is particularly picturesque at the arb, with its flowering crabapple collection in spectacular bloom and the largest tulip display in the metro area — 38,000 of them.

While we visited these sanctuaries in spring, the season really doesn't matter. Finding your own slice of heaven is something to be enjoyed year-round.


3-year-old Matilda Krieger led sister Jackie, 2 Mother Alyssa father Matt and 3-week-old brother Ivan down Lady Slipper Lane at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis. It was the first visit for the Krieger family to this urban oasis. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribu
Alyssa and Matt Krieger walked down Lady Slipper Lane on their first visit to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden this spring with daughters Matilda, 3, and Jackie, 2. (Dad was carrying their baby brother, Ivan.) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
One of the most popular stops along the 3-mile-drive each spring at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the flowering crabapple collection featuring 16 species and 120 cultivars and a total of 268 specimens of crabapples. The spectacular bloom, generally sometime around Mother's Day brings thousands of visitors to see the pinks, whites and reds of the many trees. Voted best botanical garden again in 2019 by USA Today, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,137-acre horticultural garden and ar
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen draws a crowd each spring as its flowering crabapple collection is in full bloom. There are 268 specimens of crabapples on the grounds. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Purple Trillium in full bloom at Eloise Butler Wildflower garden in Minneapolis. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribune.com Minneapolis, MN Thursday, May 9, 2019
Purple Trillium in full bloom at Eloise Butler Wildflower garden in Minneapolis. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribune.comMinneapolis, MN Thursday, May 9, 2019 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A Barred Owl watches the forest floor below from a perch in a maple tree at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Arboretum is a great place for bird watchers and offers opportunities for classes tours and bird watching outings. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribune.com Chanha
At right, a barred owl keeps a watchful eye from its perch in a maple tree at the arboretum, a popular place for birders. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The Tulipa Fringed Tulip is a show stopper. With more than 38,000 tulips, the Arboretum has the largest display in the metro area, and attracts thousands of people to capture the display. Peak is generally between early to mid May. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribune.com Chan
You never know what’s in bloom when you visit area gardens. From left, purple trillium at the Eloise Butler Wildflower. Victoria water lilies, also known as blooming Victorias, float peacefully in the water gardens at Como Park Conservatory. Up close and personal with a stunning fringed tulip, part of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s spring tulip showcase. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Victoria Water Lilies, commonly know as ÔBlooming Victorias,Õ are on display at Como Park Conservatory. Floating peacefully in the water gardens that surround ComoÕs Visitor Center, the giant platter-like plants offer guests spectacular sights and an experience unmatched anywhere in the state, as Como is the only public garden in Minnesota to grow and display the exotic lilies. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one
Victoria Water Lilies, commonly know as ÔBlooming Victorias,Õ are on display at Como Park Conservatory. Floating peacefully in the water gardens that surround ComoÕs Visitor Center, the giant platter-like plants offer guests spectacular sights and an experience unmatched anywhere in the state, as Como is the only public garden in Minnesota to grow and display the exotic lilies. ] Looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle without heading north? The Twin Cities is home to one of the best park systems in the nation and here are just a few of the Urban sanctuaries that will help you get your nature fix. brian.peterson@startribune.comSt. Paul, MN Wednesday, August 2, 2017 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Photo essay by Brian Peterson, Star Tribune