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Minnesota Twins claim first with ‘living wall’ at Target Field

Major League Baseball team the Minnesota Twins has unveiled plans for a new ‘living wall’ system at Target Field, which it claims marks a first-of-its-kind initiative for the competition.

The Twins said the batter’s eye design will “enhance the aesthetics” of the centre field hitter’s backdrop without compromising playability at Target Field.

The system will be 2,280 square feet in size, making it among the largest in continental United States. It will feature approximately 5,700 sea green juniper plants, which will each be individually installed and secured in a tiered, multiple-tray system that is attached to the existing batter’s eye wall structure.

In line with the team’s sustainability efforts, the living wall will be self-irrigated through Pentair’s rainwater recycle system, with the junipers to be installed each March and removed at the end of the season.

The living wall system has been created by Green Living Technologies, International and will be installed by CityScapes.

Twins president and chief executive Dave St. Peter said: “The Minnesota Twins are excited about plans to install one of the world’s largest living walls at Target Field. Since the removal of the original trees, which were part of Target Field’s batter’s eye in 2010, the Twins have been searching for the right solution which balances playability and aesthetics. We believe the living wall concept delivers on both fronts, while further enhancing the ballpark’s sustainability platform.”

The Twins will begin installing the system in the week beginning January 21 and it is set to be ready by March 28 for the team’s season opener against the Cleveland Indians.

Image: Minnesota Twins