Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More

Master the diverse set of skills needed to design and install high-end outdoor living spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

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Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More
Course Code: AL0207CA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: February 24, 2025

Date: February 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:45 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am)
Optional Outdoor Construction Days: April 1 & 2, 2025

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course with optional hands-on outdoor construction days

Registration Fee: $270 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $245 per person (expires February 17, 2025)

Registration Closes: February 22, 2025

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Landscape Management II Certificate Program.

From opulent outdoor kitchens to expansive fire pits and fireplaces, outdoor living spaces offer a rare growth opportunity in the landscape market. Designing and installing them, however, requires a diverse set of skills – from weatherproof appliance and material selection to lighting and electrical work – that can challenge even experienced landscapers.

In this class, you’ll learn to create the kinds of outdoor entertainment spaces high-end clients want. Alex Burke will cover the planning, installation, and estimating processes you need to produce a quality job at a profitable price. Learn invaluable tips and tricks from an experienced contractor and expand your customer base into a more lucrative area.

Optional Outdoor Construction Days

If you attend this class, you can also participate in the optional construction days on April 1 & 2, 2025 on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus where you will build an actual paver project. Come and learn by doing, and get real hands-on experience!

Who Should Attend?

If you want to learn how to design and install beautiful and functional outdoor entertainment spaces, this class is for you! Past participants have included:

  • Landscape Company Owners
  • Landscape Designers
  • Landscape Estimators
  • Landscape Foremen
  • Mason Contractors
  • Project Managers

Meet Your Instructor

Alex Burke, Burke Environmental

Alex is a third generation horticulturalist. When he was in high school he started his first business, Burke Lawn Services, mainly doing lawn maintenance. While still in high school, Alex became one of the youngest people ever to get his pesticide license from the State of New Jersey. After high school, Alex went on to Rutgers University, Cook College, where he received a degree in Environmental Planning and Design, with a concentration on seashore environments. After Alex graduated in 2000, he incorporated his business under a new name, Burke Environmental. Burke Environmental was founded as a landscape design, installation, maintenance company with a focus on Jersey Shore properties.

As Burke Environmental grew, so did the services it began to offer. Alex got his irrigation license and became certified in concrete pavers and retaining wall construction. In 2008, Alex began co-teaching the installation of concrete pavers course for Rutgers University. Alex now teaches several continuing education courses for Rutgers and guest lectures for the Department of Landscape Architecture. He is also a certified instructor for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). ICPI helps set the national standards for concrete pavers and is viewed as a nationally recognized certification. Alex is one of less than 75 ICPI instructors in all of North America.

Student Reviews

“Alex [Burke] is incredibly knowledgeable about the design and build process and the landscape industry as a whole. His teaching method is very effective. Take this class if you want to master custom outdoor entertainment spaces!”

– Past Participant

“Very well-rounded coverage of topics.”

– Past Participant

On instructor Alex Burke: “Great teacher. Very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More (5.5 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5 Technical CEUs (course #DLGS-RUCPE23-30)

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

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Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Outdoor Entertainment Spaces: Kitchens, Fire Pits, and More, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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Instructor Alex Burke (dark green shirt) guides students as they lay pavers in a new walkway in this hands-on landscaping course at Rutgers.

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