Landscape Services | Facilities Operations and Development

Landscape Services' team of groundskeepers, surface maintenance technicians, and arborists is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, sustainable, and beautiful landscape in support of the university's academic and health care missions, providing an outdoor campus environment that can be enjoyed by students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. We partner with departments, government agencies, and private organizations in the areas of research, industry best practices, technology, sustainability, and plant health. In the event of Olentangy River flooding, Landscape Services is responsible for deploying flood abatement measures to protect the university and medical center buildings.

Recognition

Tree Campus USA - 2011-2020 - A nationwide program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation that recognizes effectively managing campus trees and working to develop connectivity, awareness, and engagement in tree management and forestry efforts.

Tree Campus Healthcare Award - 2019-2020 - Recognizes institutions that make a mission-aligned impact on community wellness through tree education, investment, and community engagement.

Services - Funded

Plants and Lawn - Landscape Services manages more than 1,800 acres at the Columbus camps, including more than 300 acres of lawn. They plant more than 5,000 flowers annually, mulch flower beds, and prune shrubs.

Urban Tree Care - The Columbus campus has 16,000+ trees that provide shade and carbon sequestration. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, in one year a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. That is approximately 800,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide.

Snow and Ice - Landscape Services clears 140+ miles of campus sidewalks, more than 40 miles of roadway, and more than 300 loading docks. Its de-icing materials allow vehicles to navigate roads safely and pedestrians to walk safely to work, school, or home.

Special Events - Landscape Services staff assist with special event set-up and break down for commencement, home football games, and other special events. It supports construction work with masonry and concrete repairs, irrigation maintenance, pothole repair, and litter pick-up.

Services - Billable

Quotes for billable work would be provided in advance for department-requested services. Please contact your landscape representative for information about ...

power washing.
additional flower planting and maintenance or replacement plants.
additional mulching.
sporting events or concerts, additional litter clean-up, supplemental snow or ice removal.

Snow and Ice

Roads, sidewalks, loading docks - Managed by Landscape Services. It takes approximately 6 hours to clear the Columbus campus once, covering 130 miles of sidewalks and 40 miles of roadway.

Parking lots - Managed by CampusParc, 614-688-0000.

Building entrances, steps - Managed by each building's custodial staff.

FAQs

How do I get my building entrances, walls, or steps power washed?

Request a quote from your landscape representative. Depending on the type of building and scope of work, Landscape Services may utilize an outside contractor.

I requested tree pruning. Why didn't the arborist remove more?

Best Management Practices recommend not removing large branches because it unhealthful for the tree. Local codes specify 14’ of clearance above roadways to accommodate emergency vehicles and buses, 12' of clearance for fire-lane sidewalks, 8' to 10' of clearance for walkways, and 8' for lawns.

What is the response time for repairing potholes on campus streets?

Landscape Services tries to address potholes within 48 hours of reporting. Potholes are filled each year, typically during early to mid spring.

Potholes on surrounding area streets are handled by the City of Columbus.