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Guest Pass: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We're starting to reach the tail end of fall color season here in Minnesota, but there's a spot in the metro where nature's beauty is one display, year round.

At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Japanese Garden is the most visited space and, even with leaves blanketing the ground, one the most beautiful. But with 1200 acres, there's a lot to see -- from the natural beauty of the landscape to a pine tree you can walk through.

Over the last few years, the Arboretum has become more than just space to see fall colors.

"There's a restfulness and a peacefulness that people have as they walk into this experience," Arboretum director Ed Schneider said. "Now we see more families coming to arboretums and public gardens, and they are becoming defined as more diversified centers that go beyond just plants."

They've started to make that transition with the addition of the Harrison Sculpture Garden. The 26-piece collection features work by many of the world's best known sculptors.

"It's brand new, not well known yet, but clearly world class," Schneider said.

They're expanding further as part of the Arboretum's capital campaign. A path, under construction now, will bring favorite sites much closer.

Next summer, they'll start work on a bee and pollinator discovery center, and turn the Arboretum's iconic red barn into an event center.

"This is a transformative project within the context of our capital campaign," Schneider said. "This is the crown jewel."

It costs $12 to visit the Arboretum for guests age 13 and older. For those under 12, it's free.

The Arboretum is located on 3675 Arboretum Dr. in Chaska.

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