What is the first thing you see when you drive alongside a major college or university campus? How about walking up to a massive hospital complex?
Typically, the first thing that catches the eye of occupants and visitors is the organization's landscaped areas. With first impressions being extremely important, especially in the case of prospective students taking a campus tour, organizations are focusing on the efforts of grounds care departments. Buildings themselves undoubtedly need to appeal to occupants and visitors, but the buildings and the grounds go hand-in-hand.
Take a major building renovation or new construction project as an example. While architects, designers, contractors and facility managers are focusing on the building itself, the grounds manager is getting involved, helping create a synergy between the building and the landscapes that will surround it.
This thought came to mind as I moderated a grounds management panel discussion at NFMT 2009. The panel consisted of the manager of grounds from Johns Hopkins University and the Assistant Director of Grounds, Vehicle Maintenance and Support Services with American University in Washington, D.C. Most attendees at NFMT are facility managers, not grounds managers.
Nonetheless, the session was full of interested individuals learning about managing a grounds department with sustainability at the forefront of the decision-making process. I spoke with a few attendees after the discussion who did not hold the title of grounds manager, but they took away valuable information they'll share with grounds professionals in their organizations.
I'd be interested to hear about the relationship between facility professionals and grounds professionals in your organization.
Hi Chris,
I'm having a difficult time defining what exactly "grounds" is and everything it encompass'. Any help?
I am developing a stategic plan for a local university to become a sustainable campus and I'm looking for an introduction as to what "grounds" is and what recommendation I have to help navigate the grounds in a sustainable direction.
Any information you can offer is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Kerrin Donnelly
Project Manager - Development
Urban Planning Dept.
Hi Kerrin:
Thanks for your comment. I would visit a few Web sites to get started.
First, our magazine, Maintenance Solutions, devotes a lot of coverage to grounds management. You can view products and read articles on the topic at www.facilitiesnet.com/groundsmanagement
I definitely would take a look at the Professional Grounds Management Society. PGMS is an association for grounds managers in institutional and commercial facilities. There are a lot of resources on the PGMS Web site at www.pgms.org.
Finally, I would take a look at the Sustainable Sites Initiative to read about sustainability in grounds management. Visit the Web site at www.sustainablesites.org.
Let me know if you have more questions. Again, thanks for your interest.
Chris
Chris,
Is there an industry standard for Acres per groundsworker or is it up to the employer and administration. I work for a k-12 School District (23yrs).
Paul
Hi Paul:
From the managers I talk to, it is up to the individual department and manager. That's not to say some organizations don't organize their staff with the formula you proposed, but I don't get the impression it's an industry standard. I would post a quick blog post with your question. Maybe other facility professionals will reply. Also, make sure to join the Grounds Management group through this site. You can post your question in that group as well. Thanks for the comment, Paul.
What district do you work for?