Conference finds common ground

Twenty university grounds managers from across Canada have planted themselves at McMaster.

Spotlighting common university grounds issues, such as snow removal and pest management, the University hosts the fourth annual University Grounds Organization conference this week.

“We are focusing on common problems faced by universities and we'll try to come up with solutions,” says host of the event and physical plant service co-ordinator Len Van Hoffen.

Cowpaths, for example, are a growing concern for grounds managers. Cowpaths are paths worn into the grass by pedestrian traffic. As a result, one of the sessions focuses on cowpaths and how to maintain them.

They also will discuss campus equipment and machinery, university campus planning, geese control, tree inventory systems and budgets.

Connecting university grounds managers is invaluable, Van Hoffen says. “It's a great networking tool because you come away with a lot of fresh ideas and information.”

The Ontario Association of Physical Plant Administrators conference begins today and runs until Friday.