Foresters and Transportation staff collaborate to improve Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis

In a strong display of collaboration, Hennepin Avenue (County Road 52) in Minneapolis has been revitalized with the planting of 57 trees by Hennepin County foresters, county Transportation staff, and Sentence to Service crews.

A multi-year project came to fruition at the end of May when a dedicated team came together to enhance the tree canopy along the roadway in Northeast Minneapolis. This initiative began in December 2022 and was impacted by local businesses and residents who wanted more trees in the area and a construction project was going to start soon.

Hennepin County Transportation and Environment and Energy staff worked closely together on the project. Transportation headed up the project with goals to improve the road surface, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and add a lane of Bus Rapid Transit. Foresters were first involved to inventory and advise in the preservation of existing trees.

To meet local interest for more mature tree canopy in the area, a partnership with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) was established to preserve mature honey locust trees during the construction process. Preserving these trees and adding 57 more was a big win for residents and businesses!

Moving forward, Environment and Energy’s foresters will care for the trees for the first few years, before handing off care to MPRB. This includes weekly watering during the growing season, incidental pruning of dead and broken branches, and removal and replacement of any trees that die.