Rendering of the new gatehouse. Image courtesy of MVVA
Building on a legacy of horticultural excellence rooted in cold-hardy plant breeding, research and education, we’re embarking on a historic multiphase transformation to build a better Arboretum that will enhance the overall experience for our members, visitors and future generations of gardeners, researchers, horticulturists and nature lovers.
Plans include a new, safer arrival experience and a new Apple House. Improvements to circulation, parking and landscape in the Arboretum’s main visitor arrival areas are planned for a second, future phase. This historic project, breaking ground this year and continuing through 2027, will redefine how visitors experience the Arboretum from the moment they arrive. Given the location of these projects, much of the work will take place away from our existing entry, visitor buildings and garden areas, allowing the Arboretum to remain open throughout the project – and accessible to the 700,000 who visit each year.
Check the project updates section further down this page regularly for updates as the project unfolds.
- Safe stoplight access: The Arboretum’s main entrance will move west on Highway 5 to Minnewashta Parkway, with a new four-way traffic signal.
- Beautiful new views: Visitors will discover new views and landscapes along the drive in, focusing on the Arboretum’s beautiful natural topography, woodlands and wetlands.
- Quicker entry: A new gatehouse with improved lane configurations will aid in traffic flow and reduce traffic backups.
- Easy bicycle and pedestrian access: The existing gatehouse will be repurposed to create a separate dedicated pedestrian and bike entry connected to the Highway 5 Regional Trail.
- Multiple exit options: In addition to being able to exit at the new Minnewashta signal, our existing entrance drive will become an exit/right merge only onto Highway 5.
Completion of the new arrival experience is anticipated to align closely with the completion of the adjacent Highway 5 improvements.
- Expanded offerings: Betty’s Apple House will replace the current Apple House. It will remain free and open to the public and continue to be a destination for apples and more with added new programming.
- Learning opportunities: Interpretive exhibits will share the fascinating science and history behind the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science’s fruit breeding research at the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center since 1908 – including the Honeycrisp and beyond.
- Local and University products: The retail space will offer expanded product offerings, including ice cream and other goods from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).
- Landscape vistas: Primary access to the new Betty’s Apple House will be from 82nd Street off Highway 41. Visitors to Betty’s Apple House will travel north along a new access corridor featuring beautiful natural landscapes. Access from the Highway 5 Regional Bike Trail and an internal connection drive from the Arboretum’s Oswald Visitor Center area to the new location is planned for the future.
- School opportunities: The Arboretum continues to cultivate inclusive outreach programs, connecting students with the joys of horticulture and food science. By providing dynamic spaces for visits, workshops and collaborations, we are ensuring that future generations of gardeners, scientists and nature lovers have a place to grow.
- Remaining open: The existing Apple House will open seasonally as always until we can open in our new location, currently scheduled for the 2027 apple season.
- Easy parking: Expanded main parking areas will better accommodate visitors through a more efficient use of space.
- Safety: Circulation improvements will reduce vehicle and pedestrian interactions to reduce conflicts and improve safety.
- Access: Road changes will provide more intuitive vehicle access to Three-Mile Drive.
- Beauty: Expanded arrival garden spaces at the “front doors” to the Oswald Visitor Center, Snyder Building and Andrus Learning Center will provide a warm welcome to visitors, ensuring they feel embraced by nature from the moment they arrive.
Project Updates
New Entrance
Summer 2026
- As of August 2026, the new entry project is 65-70% complete and is on track to open in 2027 along with the adjacent Highway 5 Improvements Project.
- Planting and seeding continue throughout the project area to restore and expand the existing landscapes.
- Trees include a variety of deciduous and evergreen species hand-selected by Arboretum staff, such as tamarack, shagbark hickory, spruce and tulip poplar.
- Shrubs planted in the area include University of Minnesota-developed cultivars such as azaleas from the Lights series.
- The remaining project work will take place in the landscape, at the new gatehouses and around the Marion Andrus Learning Center
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Spring 2026
- The project resumed in April with paving work on the roadway and planting throughout the new entry. 550 hand-selected trees, 1,800 shrubs and 80,000 plugs were planted throughout the area to establish the plants well ahead of the opening of the new entry in 2027.As a part of the ongoing Highway 5 Improvements Project happening in tandem with the Arboretum’s Building a Better Arboretum Project, Carver County contracted crews will be conducting utility work and tree removal throughout the project area beginning the week of Feb. 9. Learn more about the project and tree removals on the Carver County website.
Winter 2025
- Foundations were poured for the new gatehouses.
Fall 2025
- A base course of gravel was applied to the new roadway and left to settle over the winter.
Summer 2025
- The Dog Commons and overflow parking were closed to the public.
- Crews strategically removed trees throughout the new entry and graded the new roadway for paving.
Betty’s Apple House
Summer 2026
- Construction of the new Betty’s Apple House and surrounding landscapes progressed steadily over the course of the summer:
- Site and access: Work on the new two-way entry road off 82nd Street and the parking lot are nearing completion, improving access to the site. Progress continues on the construction of the new event lawn space in front of the building.
- Building construction: Work was completed on the roof and exterior of the building and interior framing and drywall installation are now underway.
Winter 2025/2026
- Foundations for the new structure have been poured and construction of the new Betty’s Apple House is underway.
Fall 2025
- Crews broke ground on the new site near the Farm at the Arb.
Project Partners
We’ve partnered with a team of professionals with expertise in developing thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces that prioritize function while maintaining the character and quality of the landscape and existing buildings and spaces.