The Grounds Team!

You've seen them out there. You've heard their radios crackling, their engines running, their blades spinning. If you've ever sat on our manicured lawns or enjoyed the budding gardens, you've seen their work. If you've ever made the trek into campus during a snowstorm, you've seen them fighting against the gale force wind you were racing to escape - a reminder that this is no easy job. They are Ryerson's Groundskeepers and Drivers. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, they are the men and women who keep Ryerson looking beautiful in the summer and our first line of defense when Mother Nature tries to bury us in the winter.

Each spring, around the first week of May, the Grounds Team focuses their efforts on the annual beautification of campus. If you happen to be around during this time, we recommend a walk through the quad during convocation for a preview of some of their finest work. On average, the Grounds Team goes through about 50 cubic yards of topsoil, 200 rolls of sod, 200 kilograms of various grass seeds and 300 kilograms of fertilizer to prepare for convocation. Add to that the planting of some 2,500 annuals and power washing of approximately 1.5 kilometres of pathways and the result is a completely transformed campus, lush and green, in the heart of downtown Toronto. Don't just take our word for it! The Grounds Team has won several awards and recognition over the years including the prestigious Green Star Honour Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society for green landscapes in urban environments.

With the summer months in front of us, there's still plenty to see. Next time you're out and about, perhaps on your way to a meeting or heading out for a lunch with friends, take a moment to enjoy the scenery: a contribution this team continually makes to the Ryerson community.