Target Field, the Minnesota Twins' new baseball stadium, received a LEED silver rating, certifying it as the greenest ballpark in America. Only one other ballpark–Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.–has received LEED silver status. Target Field was awarded two more points than Nationals Park.
LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The rating levels include certified, silver, gold, and platinum.
LEED certification is based on many facets of sustainability, including energy saving, carbon dioxide emission reduction, water saving, and indoor air quality. Both commercial and residential buildings can achieve LEED status.
Target Field Sustainability
Specifically, the designers of Target Field worked to create water saving features in the park. Target Field's grass can be irrigated with recycled rainwater. An underground system collects and treats rainwater and prepares it for use on the field. This system will save over two million gallons of water annually. All urinals and toilets in the stadium are low flow. Restroom fixtures at the park use 30 percent less water than traditional fixtures.
Target Field saves energy by capturing waste energy from the Hennepin Energy Resource Center to heat most of its indoor spaces and the field. The park uses energy-efficient lighting to illuminate the field and has a power purchase agreement to offset 70 percent of its energy consumption over a two-year period. The stadium also provides many recycling receptacles.
Construction of Target Field
Not only is the finished product green, but also many of the construction methods used to build the stadium. Contaminated soil on the construction site was removed and treated, with some of it returned to the ground. Waterway contamination, soil erosion, and airborne dust were all controlled during the construction process.
Most construction waste was diverted or recycled, and many materials used in construction were made from recycled content. Many of the resources used came from local or nearby sources, including the Mankato, Minnesota limestone which makes up most of the stadium's exterior.
The Twins organization has also teamed up with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Every time a Twins pitcher breaks an opponent's bat, 100 trees are planted in Minnesota parks. Minnesota's baseball team has set a new precedent for baseball stadiums across the country by showing dedication to preserving the environment. Downtown Minneapolis' newest building is also its greenest.
References: Paul Walsh. "Earth-friendly Target Field is certifiably 'green.'" Star Tribune. April 9, 2010.
Mike Cook. "Target Field gets LEED certification." MLB.com. April 8, 2010.
Madeline Salmon - Madeline is a contributing writer for the Science & Nature and Plants & Animals sections of Suite101.com. She is a freelance writer with a ...
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