FAQs – Grounds Services

IRRIGATION 

There is a malfunctioning sprinkler; what should I do?

Please contact the Facilities Office at extension 2629.  Please give the specific location so that it can be promptly repaired.  After 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, please contact Campus Police at extension 2289 or 760/891-7273.

There is a broken irrigation line; what should I do?

Please contact the Facilities Office at extension 2629.  Please give the specific location so that it can be promptly repaired.  After 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, please contact Campus Police at extension 2289 or 760/891-7273. 

LANDSCAPE SERVICES

How often do you mow, and how high do you cut?

We mow every seven to ten days.  Our mowers are usually set to mow at a cutting height of 3 inches.  Taller grass has more roots and is better able to compete with weeds and resist wear damage and disease.  We are flexible and respectful to classes in-session, special events and final exams periods.

Will you plant flowers at my building?

Grounds Services maintains the campus in accordance with an approved landscape management plan, the purpose of which is to maximize the use of our limited resources.  Since annual flowers have a high maintenance cost per square foot, we only plant them in large beds where they make the greatest impact, and not at particular buildings.  However, we have planted lower maintenance perennial flowers around buildings and try to include them in all our landscape designs.

Can my department plant flowers outside my building?

Departments or individual staff members on campus are allowed to voluntarily assist and maintain very small areas around their workplace.  Employees will assist by pulling weeds, removing trash and planting flowers.  Interested department employees will perform these functions on their own time often during their breaks or lunch.  Interested Palomar College employees must contact the Director, Facilities – Chris Miller via email cmiller@palomar.edu or the Interim Supervisor, Grounds Services & Recycling – Tony Rangel via email arangel@palomar.edu prior to beginning work.

Routine questions regarding this process can be answered by contacting the Facilities Office at extension 2629 or via email FacilitiesOffice@palomar.edu.

If you notice broken tree branches around the campus?

Please contact the Facilities Office at extension 2629.  Please give the specific location so that it can be promptly removed.  After 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, please contact Campus Police at extension 2289 or 760/891-7273.

Why are leaves cleaned up?

Leaves are cleaned up to prevent killing grass, clogging drains, harboring pests and to prevent injuries from slipping and falling.

ARBORETUM & CACTUS GARDEN

How do I obtain permission for my class to access the Cactus Garden?

The Cactus Garden is maintained by the Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society.  Any tours on information regarding the Cactus Garden must be obtained from the Society’s representative.  For contact information, please contact the Interim Supervisor for Grounds & Recycling, Tony Rangel via email arangel@palomar.edu or the Facilities Office at extension 2629 or via email FacilitiesOffice@palomar.edu.

WILDLIFE REMOVAL

How do I have a snake removed from the building or grounds area?

If you have a snake problem, we can help remove the snake(s) in a humane way.  Once the snake(s) have been captured, we set the snakes loose in an environment where we feel they will post the least threat to humans.

Please contact the Facilities Office at extension 2629.  Please give the specific location so that it can be promptly removed.  After 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, please contact Campus Police at extension 2289 or 760/891-7273.