Grounds/Landscaping
About Us
The Grounds Unit is responsible for the general appearance of the campus, including the care and maintenance of grounds, roadways, and the campus refuse removal and recycling program.
The Grounds Unit provides maintenance services for approximately 500 acres of outdoor space on the Tampa campus that consists of approximately:
- 300 acres of green space
- Irrigation and sprinkler systems
- 10 miles of roadway
- 30 miles of sidewalk
- 2,000 pieces of outdoor furniture/fixtures
- 700 trash/recycle cans
- 13 water features
- 100 wayfinding signs
- All FDOT regulatory signs
Our department is a devoted group of landscape professionals. We operate by promoting ethical practices that enhance the integrity, quality, and values of the University's mission statement and its goals. We take great pride in the appearance of the campus grounds and the impact it has on the USF community.
Operations
Our Landscape teams mow approximately 300 acres of mixed-species turf weekly. Our management team divided the USF Campus grounds into five zones. Each zone has a quantifiable realm of responsibility. Three Senior Groundskeeper lead teams to complete specific areas of responsibility for the day with the common goal of consistent outstanding appearance. The Senior Groundskeepers report their completion rates daily and any challenges they may have encountered.
Pest Management
We maintain an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. IPM is a common-sense approach to maintaining sustainable pest control by identifying potential issues before they escalate. Under this approach, pesticides are only used when necessary to eradicate the pest problem. The primary purpose of IPM is to prevent pest problems by identifying and controlling the conditions that can attract pests. These conditions involve finding and removing the food sources, water, and shelter, then eliminating these sources to prevent pests' access.
Hardscapes
Grounds maintains thirteen irrigation wells and all distribution systems across Campus that provide water to approximately 300 acres of irrigated landscape and sodded areas. The Rainbird IQ-4 wireless irrigation control systems of zones. We are currently researching several new advanced techniques to detect leaks.
-
Irrigation and sprinkler systems
-
10 miles of roadway
-
30 miles of sidewalk
-
2,000 pieces of outdoor furniture/fixtures
-
700 trash/recycle cans
-
13 water features
-
100 wayfinding signs
-
All FDOT regulatory signs
Irrigation
Grounds maintains thirteen irrigation wells and all distribution systems across Campus that provide water to approximately 300 acres of irrigated landscape and sodded areas. The Rainbird IQ-4 wireless irrigation control systems of zones. We are currently researching several new advanced techniques to detect leaks.
Grounds are also responsible for maintaining thirteen fountains, reflection ponds, and three on Campus. Grounds also oversees the contractors who maintain retention ponds and lakes on Campus and a variety of contractors for hardscape improvements.