Minnesota Twins' Target Field Greenest Ballpark in MLB

Target Field just earned the title of greenest ballpark in Major League Baseball, and it wasn't by accident.

Thursday, the U.S. Green Building Council today awarded Target Field LEED® Silver Certification, making it the second MLB ballpark in the United States to achieve that status. Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, is the other ballpark with LEED Silver Certification.

Having collected the most certification points ever awarded to a ballpark, Target Field is the greenest ballpark in America.

"Gaining LEED certification has been a longstanding goal for the Twins, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority as we have collectively shared the responsibility to ensure strong environmental stewardship," Twins Owner and CEO Jim Pohlad said. "It's our sincere hope that the sustainability aspects of Target Field will provide inspiration to other local, regional and national projects of this magnitude."

The 2006 ballpark legislation for the construction of Target Field made LEED certification a goal of the project, if grant funds were available to assist in the effort. The Minnesota Twins provided $1.5 million, and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority provided $1 million in additional resources in December of 2007 to help work toward LEED certification.

"We are absolutely thrilled about the LEED Silver certification for the ballpark," said Steve Cramer, C=chair of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. "The Authority is pleased that our investment will pay dividends for years to come as fans learn more about the importance of sustainable design when they visit Target Field."

Green design elements of Target Field include:

Energy use reduction - achieved through high efficiency field lighting, interior lighting and heating/cooling and ventilation equipment.

Water use reduction - achieved through water-saving fixtures such as low-flow urinals and dual-flush toilets as well as a specially designed rain water filter system used to capture runoff, filter it and use it both to wash down the seating bowl and for irrigation.

Game Day Recycling - Recyclable collection points stationed conveniently around Target Field will keep an estimated 400 cubic yards of material over the course of a three-game home stand from going to landfills.

Public transportation access - Target Field was built to include a public transportation hub where commuter and light rail lines terminate, adjacent to a major bus hub as well as access by bike riders and pedestrians.

Recycled Materials - More than 30 percent of all installed materials are made up of recycled content including the canopy structure, masonry blocks, carpet and the foul poles.

Local Materials - Locally sourced materials were used to limit energy costs related to shipping and also stimulated the local economy.

Construction Waste - In an effort to reduce the impact on local landfills, more than 70 percent of the waste generated through the construction of Target Field was recycled or reused. This included all concrete, wood, cardboard, metals and paper.

Reduced Pollution - Early precautions were taken prior to performing construction activities to control soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust.