BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Toro Company has announced the donation of a Toro® Groundsmaster® 4000-D mower to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, providing a critical equipment upgrade to support the maintenance of the 1,200-acre horticultural garden and arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota.
The equipment donation directly supports the Arboretum’s focus on connecting people and plants as it welcomes nearly 700,000 visitors annually to experience the fruits of its horticultural research, education and beautiful garden spaces.
“We are grateful for Toro’s donation of the Groundsmaster 4000-D. The Arboretum features undulating grassy spaces across its 1,200 acres, nestled between thousands of trees, dozens of display gardens and other unique collections,” said Jared Rubinstein, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director of horticulture and collections. “This new mower will replace a decades-old Toro unit as the primary mower for managing the height of the Arboretum’s grass areas. Keeping our grounds precisely maintained to a high standard is vitally important as an Arboretum.”
The Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D is a heavy-duty, wide-area rotary mower favored by horticulture and commercial landscape professionals. The 11-foot cutting width helps to streamline operations, making quick work of the vast acreage while keeping public areas open for visitors to enjoy.
“Toro is incredibly proud to support the Arboretum’s mission of inspiring visitors through horticultural research and education,” says Josh Jans, Toro's senior marketing manager for sports fields and grounds. “Our equipment is engineered specifically to meet the rigorous demands of world-class landscapes like this one. It’s a privilege to know that Toro's industry-leading technology plays a vital role in maintaining these grounds in absolute peak condition for nearly 700,000 visitors to experience and enjoy year-round.”
Managing the expansive grounds and natural woodlands requires a dedicated horticulture team of 60 full- and part-time staff, college students, volunteer groups and a full fleet of Toro equipment. The new Groundsmaster mower replaces an aging machine, adding to a fleet that includes Toro® Workman® utility vehicles, a Toro® Vista® passenger vehicle, a Toro® Dingo® compact utility vehicle, battery-operated leaf blowers, zero-turn mowers and snowblowers.
The donation is part of a long-standing partnership between the two Minnesota organizations. In addition to equipment donations, Toro has contributed in-kind and monetary donations as well as thousands of hours of Toro employee volunteer time to the Arboretum.
“At Toro, we know that thriving, accessible green spaces are the foundation of strong communities,” said Marnie Wells, president of The Toro Company Foundation. “We are proud to support organizations, such as the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, that are dedicated to providing and preserving spaces that bring people together, promote well-being and protect the natural landscapes that connect us all.”
Through its corporate giving initiatives, The Toro Company provides equipment donations, grants and matching gifts to support nonprofits, school districts and municipalities. These resources help local organizations manage greenspaces and sports fields and clear snow from sidewalks and driveways, ensuring donated Toro products benefit the beautification of outdoor landscapes and have a positive impact on the community at large.
To learn more about The Toro Company’s family of brands and wide range of product offerings, visit thetorocompany.com.
