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2023 Greening & Public Realm Awards

DID's Greening Awards celebrate the exceptional greening efforts throughout our downtown Minneapolis community. Public voting for the 2023 Greening & Public Realm Awards will open September 5 through September 20. 


2023 Greening & Public Realm Award Winners

Small Green Space

  • Winner: Minneapolis College
  • Finalists: Mpls Convention Center Plaza, James I. Rice Park, RBC Gateway Plaza

Large Green Space

  • Winner: Loring Greenway
  • Finalists: Water Works Park, The CommonsGold Medal Park

Public Art

  • Winners:  Rising by Richard Hunt
  • Finalists: Mpls Sculpture Garden, Prince Mural by Hiero Veiga, The Alley Project

Activated Space

  • Winner: Peavey Plaza
  • Finalists: Nicollet Mall, The Commons, Government Center South Plaza

Streetscape

  • Winner: Hennepin Avenue (Reconstruction)
  • Finalists: Mpls Convention Center, Washington Avenue, 4th Street

Entryway and Outdoor Café Greening

  • Winner: Café and Bar Lurcat
  • Finalists: Gai Noi, Barrio, The Freehouse

Public Realm Improvement

  • Winner: The Alley Project
  • Finalists: Father Hennepin Bluff Park, Gai Noi, Warehouse District Live, Cambria/Fairfield Hotels

Best Neighborhood

  • Winner: Loring Park
  • Finalists: Elliot Park, North Loop, Nicollet Island/East Bank, Downtown East and West

 

Congratulations to our 2023 Adopt a Rain Garden award winners: Stantec for Super Volunteer Award, Quinn for Most Improved Garden, and Paul C. for the Best Garden Name!


About Greening & Public Realm Awards

The Annual Greening and Public Realm Awards are an initiative of the Mpls Downtown Improvement District to celebrate the outstanding examples of private greening and placemaking happening in downtown Minneapolis, and are intended to inspire all to work towards making downtown a greener and more vibrant place. Unlike the world-class park system that weaves thru our city’s neighborhoods, downtown is lacking in parks and green space to support our growing residential, business and visitor populations. We believe if each building in downtown was to place a single entryway planter on their property, the impact on the public realm would be tremendous and the work done by Mpls DID, Minneapolis Park Board and others would be strengthened.

By participating in the Annual Greening and Public Realm Awards you can help recognize the properties, businesses, and community groups who have created and maintained greening projects that contribute to a more beautiful downtown.