Caring for and expanding access to parks is essential to Toro — that’s because parks have been a part of who we are for 100 years. The vital role that parks and green spaces play in our lives and our communities cannot be understated, and it’s important that those spaces are well maintained.
Toro’s strong roots and commitment to parks can be traced back 100 years to the first power mower Toro ever produced — the Toro Park Special. For nearly 40 years, the Park Special was the preferred commercial-grade walk mower of municipalities, athletic fields, golf courses, schools, private estates and many park systems in cities like Minneapolis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Des Moines, St. Louis and many more.
Powered by a four-cycle motor, the Park Special could perform multiple tasks using a variety of attachments, including a grass catcher, power brush/broom, a discer for aerating, a snow blade/plow and more. That versatility allowed parks to stretch their yearly budgets by performing multiple tasks with one base unit.
Toro’s product line has expanded since the Park Special, but our commitment to helping parks personnel overcome unique challenges remains.
“Park and recreation professionals have to handle a myriad of challenging issues, so the work that Toro has done with labor savings devices and irrigation efficiency is critically important,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association. “With 100 remarkable years of experience in this field, Toro understands the challenges and opportunities that professionals face and thinks creatively about how to solve them. We are grateful for their partnership and celebrate with them in this incredible achievement!”
The importance of local and national parks has grown dramatically in the last 100 years, and Toro will continue to provide cutting-edge equipment and solutions to ensure these spaces remain a bedrock for improved social connection and health in communities throughout the country.
“We all share a desire to have safe places for our kids to play, to be able to walk in nature and to come together as families,” said Catherine Nagel, Executive Director of the City Parks Alliance. “This is one of the important ways that Toro supports parks in our cities. We certainly appreciate all that they do to help create a bright future of for urban green spaces and parks.”
To learn more about Toro products and initiatives, go to toro.com.
