JJ Wurst Landscape and Garden Center in Erie, PA

J.J. Wurst Landscape Contractor was started in 1963 by Jerry Wurst after many years of working for his uncles at Wurst Bros Landscaping. The original location was in Kearsarge, near Erie, PA. With a '56 International Truck and 8N Tractor loader, Jerry started putting in lawns and quickly built a solid customer base. We stripped topsoil from the farm fields on 54th St. near J.S Wilson School. Notable equipment at the time was an International crawler loader, a 500C International Dozer and a 65’ Chevy long bed dump truck.

In 1970, the property on Edinboro Rd was purchased and the building was built. During this time we put in a lot of ball fields and lawns. In 1975 we purchased a hydroseeder, the first in Erie, which would drew quite a crowd when we used it to seed. No one had ever seen such a machine before. Other new equipment included 1975 Ford F600 and a triaxle trailer. At this time J.J. Wurst also hydroseeded roadsides for the Soil Conversation Service from Erie all the way to I-80.

During the 1980’s the company installed lawns and landscapes in many new subdivisions including, Whitehall, Winchester, Greenbriar and many smaller housing developments along West 38th Street. We were landscaping 3 to 4 house a week. Business was growing in the area as well. J.J. Wurst installed landscapes for GE Engine Plant, Willowwood Apartments, Grimm Industries and many more. We installed three ball fields for McDowell High School including Gus Anderson Field. We also installed a new soccer field for Mercyhurst.

In the 1990’s we renovated Northwestern High School, hydro seeded Crabapple Ridge Golf Course & Family First Sports Park and landscaped Idyllbrook Apartments. The 90’ also brought skidsteer loaders that really changed how a lot of work was done.

During the 2000’s many of the area universities were expanding and renovating. J.J. Wurst worked on multiple projects for Penn State Behrend and Edinboro University. We built the Lampe Marina Campground for the Port Authority, Ice House Park at Conneaut Lake and hydroseeded on the Ashtabula River Cleanup Project for the EPA. We also did a lot of hydroseeding for municipal waterline and sewer line projects as well as water treatment plants and airports. Some projects include: Erie Water Works, Corry Wastewater Treatment Plant, Alquipa Water Treatment Plant, Ridgeway Dam, Erie International Airport, Corry Aiport and the Meadville Medical Center. Residential work at this time turned more toward removing the old landscapes and installing new ones with an emphasis on our patios and outdoor living areas.

2010’s brought expansions at the Fairview Manor and Edinboro Manor nursing homes, Mercyhurst College Center for Academic Engagement and several schools in New York including Sherman, Clymer, Ripley and Brocton. We were awarded land clearing contracts for the Oil Region Alliance along I-80 near Barkeyville as well as land clearing and invasive species control with the Army Corp of Engineers in Pittsburg for the expansion of Sheradon Park. We hydroseeded many municipal water and sewer projects and planted street trees for Edinboro, North East and Meadville. In recent years, stormwater management has become increasingly important. This led to the 38th Street Stormwater Project, Cascade Creek Restoration Project and the Edinboro Watershed Best Management Project. Residential landscaping has remained our passion, and we love to install landscapes and patios for people to enjoy. We continue to landscape many residential projects in the area. Patios, fire pits and outdoor living areas are important features customers want to include in their projects in order to make better use of free time and be able to relax in their own backyard. We aim to continue to serve the Erie community for many years to come.