Redwood Landscape cookouts and conversations create the ultimate work family atmosphere

Since 2008, Redwood Landscape has been the trusted expert in brick patio pavers, outdoor kitchens, firepits, pools, and more across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Redwood Landscape proudly serve local communities like Crown Point, Cedar Lake, and Saint John, and we regularly take on projects as far as New Buffalo, Michigan, and Orland Park, Illinois. As a family-run business, Redwood Landscape handles everything from small residential installs to large commercial jobs with pride and craftsmanship.

Redwood Landscape provides comprehensive landscape and hardscape services tailored to homeowners throughout the Region. This includes some team members working out in the field, while others might be responsible for managing tasks on campus.

“It takes a lot of hard work,” said Todd Zandstra, president and co-owner of Redwood Landscape. “We get so many compliments on how kind our staff is, how efficiently they work together, and the ability for us to get things done in a timely manner. It always turns out beautiful, and that just goes back to the will to win.”

Once or twice a month on Friday evenings, Redwood Landscape brings members of the team together for a fun cookout gathering. This is an opportunity for the team to talk about their personal lives with one another, along with a chance to discuss recent or upcoming projects within the company.

“It’s nice to get together and relax, play cards or some other games, and have fun,” Zandstra said. “We just got this new smoker though, and we’re even doing a smoker giveaway, so we have to learn how to master it and add it into the mix for the cookout.”

Activities such as the cookout are a way for Redwood Landscape to incorporate a feeling of satisfaction during the cookouts. Some of the workers who were on campus made sure all of their tasks were finished for the day before grabbing some food at the cookout.

“The biggest thing for us is that we can all work together and spend quality time together,” Zandstra said. “Our crews work so hard to get things done every day. As we all come together, it’s turned more into a family atmosphere, and that’s exactly what we are: a family company. We care about everyone here because we’re all a family, and our customers are the same. Once people sign with us, they become a part of the Redwood family. We want to continue to grow our family and network and build something really amazing.”

The cookout included tacos, tortilla chips, rice, beans, and more. All of the team members who worked their tails off were presented with refreshments and the ultimate camaraderie experience, as they were able to learn about what’s happened recently and what’s coming up both inside and outside the workplace.

“It’s the simple things that make Redwood special,” Co-owner Joy Zandstra said. “Every so often, we set work aside and just enjoy being together, sharing a meal, letting the kids and dogs run around, and catching up with each other. It’s not about hosting a big event or making a big deal, it’s just real people spending time like family. That’s what keeps the heart in what we do.”

Another reason that these cookouts have a total family atmosphere is the presence of kids and dogs smiling. Zandstra’s daughter, Felicity, is 9 years old and frequently attends these after work gatherings. While she has a strong appreciation for the tacos, it’s the second family that Redwood provides her family with that stands out the most for her.

“I really like coming to these events,” she said. “I like the Redwood family a lot. The guys here are all very nice to me, and seeing them work so hard makes me want to give 100% in everything I do too.”                  

Redwood Landscape treats the cookout as more than simply an event. This is a tradition that brings their work family together to share stories about their work in the community and what they’re doing on their own time. A standard family cookout makes enough for one family. When you can make that impact on more than 50 families that have a part in what Redwood is all about, it goes a long way.

For more information on Redwood Landscape, you can visit redwoodlandscapenwi.com.