Yup, lawns suck. Time wasted keeping them manicured, gardening space wasted, natural diversity forbidden.
Housing development (a poorly applied term in this case) Serenbe in Georgia http://serenbe.com bans mowed lawns. Most lawns are nicely kept and interesting, either as gardens or curated natural mini fields/forests.
If you’re spending a lot of time on a lawn and think it sucks, you’re doing it wrong. I have 2 acres and spend about an hour a month working on the yard, with maybe an extra hour on the fall and spring for planting flower beds. I consider getting outside for an hour cheap therapy for getting some fresh air and taking my mind off my problems.