Good Afternoon, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

There are several things to consider: 

Have you had the soil tested?  Please click on this link to consider having the soil tested: 

https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/soil-testing-lawns-and-gardens

Will you be amending the soil with additional top soil or compost? 

Do you want native flowers and grasses that will be more low maintenance? Here are several links to consider: 

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/gardening-shade Gardening in the shade. 

Pollinator friendly landscape: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/flowers-pollinators

There are several additional links in this information: https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/native-plants

I believe you live in Hennepin County. Here is a link to the Hennepin County Soil and Water Conservation District. https://www.hennepin.us/en/residents/conservation/protecting-natural-resources

They may have grant funding to assist with a project that might include native plants and cost sharing projects. They refer to the "lawns to legumes" program on their website.

They could potentially send someone to your site to advise you on "best management practices" and potential cost sharing for projects. 

Thank you for considering something other than turf grass!!!

Good Luck!