Arb Access

We want everyone to enjoy the beauty of our gardens

As part of its mission to welcome, inform, and inspire all, the Arboretum maintains partnerships with many Minnesota counties and cities to provide free Duo+2 memberships to underserved communities.

Access program

Goals

To partner with local county service providers to grant complimentary membership/access to underserved communities through already established government eligibility channels.

Objectives

To provide free Duo+2 memberships to those who may otherwise not be able to afford to visit the Arboretum.
To partner with local counties to use current financial, government-set income thresholds to determine program eligibility.
To provide information about transportation opportunities and possible partnerships with SouthWest Transit, SmartLink, etc. Call SouthWest Transit to inquire.

How to Use It

Each Financial Worker will be sent a digital link to the application. Applications will be the only way clients will be able to be granted Arboretum memberships. When the application is returned to the Arboretum, the client will be mailed new yearly membership cards.

Note: Membership/Arboretum staff will not be able to renew memberships over the phone, online or onsite without a new yearly application with the county code. The Arboretum acknowledges the need for the Arb Access program but relies on membership revenue to operate. We do understand that a client's financial situation may change. If they are no longer eligible for financial assistance, they won’t be eligible for the complimentary membership.

When the membership is up for renewal, the member will be directed to their county Financial Worker to renew through the same channels as the original process.

Financial Workers should work with each applicant to fill out the digital form. The available level for each client is a Duo+2 (entry for 4) household membership where all members of the family live at the same postal address. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and currently on financial assistance. Children under 15 are always admitted for free.

The Arboretum works with each county to provide quarterly reports to track usage, access and program validity. No personal information is divulged during this process.

Participating Counties

Please contact your Financial Worker directly to apply. All applications are received and processed through the individual counties and cities within 10 business days.

Participants must also live in one of the following counties.

Anoka County
Bloomington
Carver County
Dakota County
Hennepin County
Nicollet County
Ramsey County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley-Meeker-McLeod
Washington County
Wright County

Arb Access

We want everyone to enjoy the beauty of our gardens

Access program

Goals

Objectives

Participating Counties

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