Toro is thrilled to be celebrating 100 years of unwavering commitment to helping maintain and enhance parks with their innovative products. Since 1924, Toro’s collection of dependable, rugged and versatile mowers, expanded attachments, powerful utility vehicles and irrigation solutions have worked to ensure each park system has the right tool for the job.
“Investing in parks is investing in our communities,” says Paula Siefert, Senior Marketing Manager at Toro. “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 for generations to come.”
Toro revolutionized municipal mowing with the introduction of the Toro® Park Special in 1924. The company’s first-ever power mower became the preferred commercial-grade walk mower for nearly 40 years because it 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 feature allowed park systems in cities like Minneapolis, Los Angeles,Seattle, Dallas and others to stretch their yearly budgets by performing multiple tasks with one base unit.
Toro’s product line has expanded since the Park Special, but the spirit of creating versatile solutions for parks crews remains. Recent innovations include the Groundsmaster® e3200, an out-front battery-powered rotary mower that allows operators to choose an option with zero engine exhaust emissions, which requires less maintenance and runs quieter to offer a better experience for park visitors. Additionally, as parks saw a need for moving equipment, supplies and even people, Toro listened and created a comprehensive lineup of utility vehicles to help out. From the Workman units, built to stand up to the toughest tests without compromising strength, to the brand-new Vista® shuttles, designed for transporting multiple passengers comfortably and conveniently.
“Park and recreation professionals have to handle a myriad of challenging issues, so the work that Toro has done with labor saving devices and irrigation efficiency is critically important,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). “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!”
Toro is excited to celebrate 100 years in the industry at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. At this event, park and recreation professionals can visit with the Toro team, learn more about the impact that the equipment manufacturer has had in the industry for the last century and explore what’s next for park maintenance.
To learn more about Toro products and the current initiatives underway to honor and celebrate 100 years of commitment to our nation’s parks, go to toro.com.