Community Impact project in New York improves Botanical Garden

Seven companies and their employees, who offered their rental expertise, equipment and labor, completed the latest project of the Community Impact Program at Queens Botanical Garden in Queens, N.Y., on Nov. 1-2, 2022. 

The project — another joint effort of the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation — focused on installing an accessible pathway through the park, building and refurbishing raised garden beds and other park beautification projects.

“The Queens Botanical Garden is more than just a park; it’s a huge part of the local community,” says Dave Mansbart, product specialist, ABLE Equipment Rental, Deer Park, N.Y., who also serves as ARA of New York president. “It was good to see the local residents come out and enjoy the Garden. The farm also supplies food for local groups in the area.”

The rental businesses and industry suppliers that participated in the project included:

• ABLE Equipment Rental, Deer Park, N.Y.
• Durante Rentals, New Rochelle, N.Y.
• Sunbelt Rentals, Fort Mill, S.C.
• Ace Party & Tent Rental, Port Washington, N.Y.
• NY Tent, Bohemia, N.Y.
• Summit Sales Associates, Honeoye Falls, N.Y.
• Jesco, South Plainfield, N.J.

“We installed a 10-ft.-by-55-ft. and a 12-ft.-by-12-ft. paver area down the middle of the garden, improving access to the farm,” Mansbart says. “New topsoil and mulch were added after weeding and trimming the beds throughout the gardens.”

Mansbart says he was pleased with the turnout from the rental community and how the project demonstrated the potential of rental equipment.

“The turnout was very good. We had volunteers from general members, vendor reps and Toro at the event, along with several volunteers from the Garden. Overall, I think the project did a good job representing dirt equipment. We used forks and buckets on the compact track loaders. The mud buggies and Dingos were great for moving the topsoil and mulch,” Mansbart says.

The ARA of New York provided lunch for the volunteers on site.

The Community Impact Program, which to date has spanned projects in eight states, involves the ARA Foundation and The Toro Company Foundation partnering with local nonprofit organizations to coordinate community service projects. The purpose of the program is twofold: to allow those in the rental industry an opportunity to give back to their community as well as build public awareness and demonstrate the advantages of rental.

Planning is underway for the Community Impact Program’s round of projects for 2023.