Affordable Housing Residents Benefit from Community Green Spaces

Minneapolis, MN — Community green spaces are essential to mental and physical health. Yet, according to the Trust for Public Land, about one in three Americans (including 28 million children) lack close access. This issue affects affordable housing in cities, which is why green spaces need to be integrated into urban developments. Currie Commons/Ernestine Apartments is an affordable residential complex in Harrison, a diverse, community-oriented neighborhood of Minneapolis. Collage Architects collaborated with SYNLawn Minnesota to design and build outdoor amenity areas on the third-floor roof deck.

Creating Outdoor Living Spaces for a Multi-Family Complex

SYNLawn Minnesota helped Collage Architects take advantage of the unused roof deck by designing and creating outdoor living spaces for the community, including a futsal/soccer court, lounge area, and a play area featuring 7 mounds of varying sizes and shapes. The team installed 2,264 square feet of SYNFescue 60 and 1,216 square feet of SYNSport to build these recreational and social spaces.

SYNFescue 60 is ideal for this type of project due to its optimal drainage, high-traffic durability, and UV-stabilized grass fibers that resist fading and wear. It combines a lush, natural look with a soft and comfortable feel.

SYNSport is one of the safest synthetic surfacing products available. It’s manufactured with Super Yarn™ Technology and unique additives such as Sanitized™ Antimicrobial Technology, DualChill™ IR Reflective Technology, and StatBlock™ Anti-Static Component. SYNSport offers superior durability and support and features Trionic Plus™ technology that provides a softer, stronger, and longer-lasting turf.

SYNFescue 60 and SYNSport are environmentally friendly options since both are manufactured with SYNLawn’s exclusive plant-based EnviroLoc+™ Backing System created from renewable resources.

Additional benefits of using synthetic surfacing for a residential complex include:

• Non-toxic, lead-free materials provide a safer environment.
• Stays green year-round without watering, mowing, or fertilizers.
• No harmful chemicals are needed to keep the turf pest-free.
• It doesn’t get muddy after the rain like natural grass.
• Safer than other surfacing materials like concrete or asphalt since it reduces injuries by absorbing the shock and lessening the impact of falls.
• More accessible for people with mobility issues due to smooth and stable surfacing.

SYNLawn Minnesota also installed 24 panels of synthetic plant walls from Calico Greens. The Hampton panels feature green boxwood shrubs that bring color to any space. These panels were used as an alternative to steel art to cover the building vents on the roof deck.

SYNLawn Minnesota took pride in beautifying the deck space with green spaces that will contribute to the health and well-being of residents for many years to come. The team won the “Most Complex Project” award at the annual SYNLawn Conference for their impressive work on this extensive installation.

Transform Outdoor Spaces with SYNLawn

We understand the importance of communities having access to outdoor spaces. We have helped transform countless residential properties with our custom design and installation projects. Contact your local SYNLawn distributor to learn more about our premium products and services.