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Graylyn

Graylyn International Conference Center is located on a 55 acre property that offers guest a private estate of their own. Built from 1927 to 1932 it offers guest great historic features combine with modern day technology. Graylyn gives host to business meetings, special events, team building, weddings, fine dining, and guest rooms. Of the 55 acres, 26 are large open fields with tree groupings and tree line boarders. The other 29 acres are well-manicured lawns, gardens, entrance ways, and historic buildings/cottages. Some examples of these areas are the White Garden, Rose Garden, Mews Courtyards, Herb Garden, Rear Terrace, and Manor House.

Kevin Cook
Lead Groundskeeper
Office: 336.758.2441
Mobile: 336.469.0968

Other Graylyn Team Members:

  • Sean Cox
  • Jeff Davis
  • Josh Bevill
Awards

Professional Grounds Maintenance Society (PGMS) Green Star Honor Award in the category of Hotel, Motel, or Resort.

Seasonal Activities

Fall

  • Turf Renovation and Repair (aeration, over-seeding of lawns, fertilizing, grading, weed control measures)
  • Flower Bed Installation/Chaining, Bulb Planting, Specified Tree and Shrub Planting
  • Leaf Removal
  • Christmas Decoration (live cuttings for inside arrangements and outside décor)

Winter

  • Natural Area and Wooded Border clean up (removing underbrush, pruning limbs and braches, bamboo removal
  • Snow Removal
  • Project Work (slate wall installations, outdoor furniture repair/finishing, post and sign painting)
  • Contracted Tree Work (removing dead or dying trees, large tree pruning)

Spring

  • Rose, Shrub, and Tree Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, planting)
  • Turf Renovation and Landscape Maintenance (aeration, over-seeding of lawns, fertilizing, weed control measures, irrigation/watering, mulching, mowing, edging, etc.)
  • Flower Bed Installation/Chaining
  • Event set up (weddings, team building, chili cook-off, bike races)

Summer

  • Continue Landscape Maintenance (weed control measures, irrigation/watering, pruning of trees and shrubs, mowing, edging, weed-eating)
  • Event set up (weddings, team building, chili cook-off, bike races)
  • Pesticide Classes and Coastal Training
  • Project Work and Contracted Tree Work (renovations to landscape beds and courtyard areas, removal of dead or dying trees)
Composting Program

Composting is one of the greatest contributions we can make to the environment by utilizing nature’s own resources. Here at Graylyn, the Landscape Team is fortunate to have the resources and opportunity to use composting to our advantage. “Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer or soil amendment.” In the Landscape we use compost to sustain marginal plants by creating a healthy habitat, for turf renovation and fertilization, in flower beds, holding area for seasonal plants, and as mulch.

Ways Composting Contributes at Graylyn:

  • Keeping waste out of landfills
      1. 70% to 80% of all leaf and grass clippings gathered are composted (the other 20% to 30% is used as a mulch in natural areas)
      2. Vegetable and Fruit waste from the kitchen is composted

Weekly average: 27 cubic ft. or 1 yard (approx. 450lbs to 500lbs)

  • Putting resources back into the environment
      1. Contains Beneficial Bacteria
      2. Micro and Macro Organisms
      3. Trace Elements and Nutrients
  • Saving time and money
      1. Less money is spent on synthetic fertilizers
      2. Promotes disease resistant plants (less use of chemicals)
      3. Helps plants in drought (more drought tolerant – less use of water)
      4. System is in place for collecting and dumping
      5. On hand and readily available
Volunteer Programs

Kevin is a member of the Green Team at Graylyn. The Green Team helps coordinate efforts in recycling and community service. Graylyn has completed the 2011 IACC (International Association of Conference Centers) code of Sustainability and achieved Silver Status. Also, in our efforts to create a more sustainable society, the Green Team participates in the Adopt-A-Park program in Winston-Salem. Whitaker Park is on our quarterly clean up schedule.