College of the Desert, Public Safety Academy

• Project Name - College of the Desert
• Sub Name - Public Safety Academy
• Location - Palm Desert, CA
• Owner - College of the Desert
• General Contractor/Contract Manager - Bernards
• Architect - HMC Architects
  

Pierre Sprinkler & Landscape partnered up with Bernards Builders in the $29 million construction of the new Public Safety Academy facility for the College of the Desert.  The facility is designed to train police officers and firefighters for the entire eastern side of Riverside County for generations to come.  As such the landscaping needed to withstand the heavy traffic and harsh desert weather the Academy grounds would go through each season.

The Public Safety Academy comprised a mix of lawn area, planter area and solid concrete.  To beautify the desert environment and bring in a water component, a low memorial fountain was also involved in the scope.  Along with the 2,000 linear feet of mainline, over 10,000 linear feet of lateral line, 562 nozzles and swing joints, pipes, boxes and basins for the fountain, Pierre also placed 5 large and 18 medium boulders throughout the Academy grounds. 

Due to the dry weather conditions, mostly shrubbery was installed to withstand the heat.  Over 1,500 shrubs were planted throughout the 63,000 square foot planter area.  Twenty-six 36” box trees and sixteen 48” box trees were also planted to bring height to the project.  The overall result was a serene environment the Academy could enjoy year round.