Serving the medical needs of 27 counties between two states, this historic medical facility began providing health care in a residential home back in 1874. Celebrating 150 years of unparalleled patient care, it has blended decades of experience with innovation to become the largest acute care hospital in the Toledo area. A new tower was recently constructed near the historic building to serve additional patients, with over 800 beds and about 4,800 hospital employees.
Challenges
Many of the property’s challenges, Yellowstone Landscape has seen before, while others were unique. For example, the client puts a huge emphasis on innovation so we would need to find ways to incorporate that philosophy into more of our services. Another challenge was maintaining the attractive green spaces without disturbing the patients and staff using these relaxing and healing areas.
Additionally, there are safety concerns for everyone, including our team members. This facility is buzzing with activity at all hours, 365 days per year. Awareness of fast-moving emergency vehicles is one safety hazard, along with the nearly 5,000 staff members arriving and leaving at unpredictable times due to the nature of the medical industry. Add to that Ohio’s extreme winter weather that makes maintaining a zero-tolerance snow and ice policy challenging.
Sustainability is another important focus point for the client. Plant selection and landscaping services have to meet the client’s goals without losing visual appeal. We’ve been tackling this type of request for over a decade with sustainability as a core Yellowstone principle. Though, northern Ohio’s extreme seasonal weather swings would require adaptive approaches.
Results
We began servicing this historic property in 2022, and as you can see from the results below, we are overcoming each challenge we’ve been presented with in this relatively short time:
- Yellowstone Landscape maintains much of the larger, open turf areas with autonomous lawnmowers, reducing noise in outdoor spaces.
- Autonomous mowers also enhance sustainability through lower emissions.
- Our crews also get some relief during extreme heat waves through the robotic mowers.
- Industry-leading safety training and our service trucks’ in-cab cameras help ensure safety for other drivers, pedestrians, and our staff.
- We monitor winter storms with the latest technology so we’re never caught off-guard.
- The facility’s zero-tolerance snow and ice policy is maintained through pre-staging of Yellowstone personnel and equipment.
- Constant, open communication with hospital engineers helps us plan for adjusting snow and ice maintenance in case of new construction or events.
- Maintaining other medical properties for this client keeps green spaces’ vital role in patient healing and staff stress reduction top-of-mind.
- Debris-free landscape beds and perfectly sculpted shrubs complement the elegant garden sculptures.
- With experienced horticulturists at our nationwide branches, we use that network of plant knowledge to overcome Ohio’s climate pitfalls.
- Crew checklists ensure entryways and exits have full visibility.
- Clean mowing lines highlight the turf quality while matching the regal architecture.
- Functional areas for drainage have been enhanced for park-like aesthetics.
- Plant choices are guided by sustainability but also by the outdoor lighting to provide a perfect experience for overnight staff, too.
- The urban surroundings are softened by the most exquisite wildflowers available.
- These wildflowers thrive with little maintenance while attracting butterflies, bees, and people to watch the pollinators breeze in and out.
- Unexpected outdoor interest is driven by diverse tree species alongside landscape designs incorporating elevation, texture, and elaborate shades of green.
- Communicating with hospital engineers takes our seasonal color installations to the next level as we coordinate with their themes and events.
Property Accolades
“In the top 1% of hospitals in the country for clinical performance”
“Innovator Awards: 1st Place Winning Team”
“The entire hospital and grounds are beautiful.”
Historic Progress
Had you told the Toledo doctors and nurses of 1874 that robots would be doing heart surgery in 2024, they would’ve had difficulty imagining such a technology. After all, the first human doctor to perform a heart surgery was still 21 years away. Fast-forward to today and this Ohio medical facility is a leading healthcare provider, in part thanks to embracing technology.
Yellowstone Landscape is just as excited about the innovations helping us better serve this client and others across the U.S. Ten years ago, many in the landscaping industry scoffed at the idea of autonomous mowing, especially on commercial properties. Sadly, that same sentiment was widely held for sustainable landscaping practices. Times have changed, thankfully.
Why try to stop progress? Especially when it’s a net positive for the planet, the commercial property, and the people using it.
Today, it doesn’t have to be an “either-or” situation, as we hope this case study has shown. We have surpassed all the expectations of the property managers for creating and maintaining a beautiful, peace-filled landscape. At the same time, we’ve put as much focus on sustainability and innovation with our property care as the hospital puts into patient care. Want to see how we can put our technology and vision to work for your property? Please contact your local Yellowstone Landscape for a complimentary review of your grounds and service consultation. We have the resources and creativity to help you reach your goals while focusing on the details that matter the most to you.
