Maintaining 1,200 acres of gardens, lawns and natural spaces is no small task, especially when nearly 700,000 people visit each year. That's why a recent equipment donation from The Toro Company to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is about much more than adding another machine to the fleet.
Toro announced this week that it has donated a Groundsmaster 4000-D mower to the Chaska-based arboretum, replacing an aging unit that had served the organization for decades. The wide-area rotary mower will become the primary machine used to maintain the expansive grassy areas that weave between thousands of trees, display gardens and research collections across the property.
According to Jared Rubinstein, the arboretum's director of horticulture and collections, keeping those spaces maintained to a high standard is essential to the visitor experience. The new mower's 11-foot cutting width will help crews work efficiently while minimizing disruption for guests enjoying the grounds.
The donation also highlights a relationship that extends well beyond equipment. Both organizations have deep Minnesota roots, and over the years Toro has supported the arboretum through financial contributions, in-kind donations and employee volunteer efforts.
The arboretum's maintenance operation relies on a team of roughly 60 full- and part-time staff members, students and volunteers. Their work is supported by a fleet that already includes Toro utility vehicles, compact equipment, zero-turn mowers and snow removal equipment. The new Groundsmaster replaces one of the oldest pieces in that lineup, ensuring the grounds crew has reliable equipment to keep pace with the demands of maintaining one of the state's premier public landscapes.
For Toro, the donation reflects a broader focus on supporting parks, schools, nonprofits and public spaces through equipment and grant programs. For the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, it means one more tool that helps ensure visitors continue to experience meticulously maintained grounds for years to come.
Sometimes, the most meaningful investments aren't flashy. They're the ones that help keep places people care about looking their best.