East River Flats
Minneapolis, Minnesota

CLOSE Landscape Architecture+ completed a master plan for this riverfront park on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The site lies on the river flats at the foot of the new South Mal of the University of Minnesotal, which extends from Coffman Student Union to East River Road Parkway. Working with a committee of twenty-five stakeholders, including the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the University of Minnesota, and neighborhood residents, CLOSE Landscape Architecture+, Inc. developed a plan that respects the character and strength of the river valley while recalling the 1907 plan of Cass Gilbert that envisioned a strong, formal connection to the river.

The primary use of the park will remain passive with lawns to allow informal sports and picnicking. Invasive species will be removed from slopes and native plant communities will be restored. Innovative storm water treatment techniques are being implemented in the first phase of construction to treat all runoff from impervious surfaces within the park.