Toro, ARA Foundation and Rental Businesses Work on Tennessee Community Impact Project

The Toro Company Foundation, The American Rental Association Foundation and several equipment and event rental companies successfully completed their latest Community Impact Project last month at Legacy Parks in Powell, Tenn.

The Community Impact Program, which to date has spanned projects in nine states, involves The Toro Company Foundation and The ARA 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. 

As part of the latest joint effort, representatives from eight companies, who offered their rental expertise, equipment and labor, helped to transform 12 acres of land at Legacy Parks into the Angora Frog Farm. The Toro Company and ARA Foundation also donated $20,000 to fund the park’s walking trail. 

The land was donated to Legacy Parks Foundation Arvin and Sabra Brown in 2020. Angora Frog Farm’s design was inspired by the Brown family’s folktales about hairy frogs that only live in this special place in Powell. Stories are displayed on storyboard panels throughout the park, and a recreational area includes interactive play structures for children. 

“The Legacy Parks Foundation and their Angora Frog Farm project were a great way for our foundation, ARA members and the local community to give back,” said Marnie Wells, president of The Toro Company Foundation. “This project is sure to make a difference and inspire the lives of children in the Powell community for years to come.”

Onsite work included: clearing of invasive plants from the grounds and prep for a walking path; development of a walking trail, including grading and laying down compacted stone and gravel; and construction of park features like bamboo musical chimes, benches, a bridge across the creek and more. 

The group of individuals was able to spread more than 200 tons of gravel on the half-mile walking trail, and according to the folks at Legacy Parks, they were able to accomplish a month’s worth of work in only two days.

“The project went smoothly, and all the help from the participants and volunteers made a huge difference in the substantial amount of work there was to accomplish. Those two days were long and labor intensive, and we can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication,” added Wells. “Like all of our Community Impact Projects, the Angora Frog Farm project reflects Toro’s commitment to upholding high standards of how our people, products and partnerships contribute to a better world for all.”

In addition to Toro, the rental businesses and industry suppliers that participated in the project included All Occasions Party Rentals of Knoxville, Tenn.; Coker Rental Co. of Powell, Tenn.; Ditch Witch of Perry, Okla.; Lew Hudson Sales of Lawrenceville, Ga.; Loudon County Rentals of Lenoir City, Tenn.; Sunbelt Rentals, Fort Mills, S.C.; and United Rentals, Stamford, Conn.

The donation from the Toro Company Foundation and the ARA Foundation provided the nonprofit organization with the funds to purchase materials required to complete the project with any remaining funds going toward long-term project maintenance — ensuring the legend of the hairy frogs in Powell will live on for years to come.