Purdue Grounds department receives national recognition for campus landscapes

 
The Purdue University Grounds Department has earned its second Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) as part of the 2021 PGMS Green Star Awards. The department was recognized for designing and maintaining three landscapes on the West Lafayette campus.

This year’s submission focused on the courtyard at the Union Club Hotel, the area surrounding the Whistler Hall of Agricultural Research and Sinninger Pond, located near the Purdue Bell Tower. The submission included photos of the landscaping, crews at work, sustainability practices and safety efforts.

This is one of several photos submitted to the Professional Grounds Management Society for the 2021 PGMS Green Star Awards. The photo shows the crew at work near Sinninger Pond. (Photo provided by Administrative Operations Communications)

Purdue has been a member of PGMS since 2009. The society provides education and professional development opportunities for all types of grounds management. The annual awards highlight various landscaping projects across the nation, including public and private projects.

“This award is a testament to our hardworking Grounds department,” says Ryan Gallagher, senior director of facilities operations. “This group recognizes the importance of a well-maintained campus and goes above and beyond to preserve its beauty and functionality for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

Nearly 70 full-time employees make up the Grounds department. Crews work year-round to maintain 996 acres across campus. Some of that work includes the removal of snow and ice from 100 miles of sidewalk and growing and planting 40,000 annuals yearly to transform the campus each spring.   

The department was recognized for this year’s Honor Award during the 2021 PGMS School of Grounds Management Annual Conference on Oct. 21. Purdue also won an Honor Award in 2019.