How to participate in the Enhanced Landscape Maintenance Program

How to participate in the ELM program

The Enhanced Landscape Maintenance (ELM) program is a community-led, volunteer initiative. Any extra landscaping and maintenance on public lands (above and beyond standard City levels of service) is paid for by the community.

To participate in the program, you must be a non-profit organization representing your entire geographic neighbourhood, such as a Community Association, Residents Association or Homeowners Association.

Participation in the program requires entering into a legal agreement called a Landscape Maintenance Agreement (LMA).

When the LMA is in place, the participant becomes the steward for standard levels of service required. Each community will receive a standard municipal operating grant for their ELM program.

What is covered under the ELM program?

  • Mowing/trimming
  • Litter control
  • Curb sweeping/spring cleanup/fall cleanup
  • Shrub bed and tree well maintenance
  • Flower bed installation and maintenance
  • Watering/irrigation

What isn’t covered under ELM program?

  • Infrastructure enhancement or maintenance (e.g. community entrance signage, pathways, transit buildings/shelters, playgrounds)
  • Any private land enhancements – including tree planting (only public lands and assets may benefit from this funding)

The City of Calgary offers added services

We provide services beyond the standard service levels for the ELM program based on need and assessment. These services are provided at municipal standards, by our employees under our standing policies and procedures subject to under Federal, Provincial and Municipal agreements.

The services may include:

NOTE: additional snow removal/ice control of community pathways beyond standard service levels requires a separate maintenance agreement. Please contact 311.

How is the ELM program funded?

Calgary Parks will provide the community that has applied for the ELM program an operating grant equal to the Council approved budget for maintenance activities within the defined green spaces. These funds are the equivalent to the funds that the City would have used to perform the baseline services in the community prior to it becoming an ELM community.

Funding models

In addition to the operating grant, there are two community generated funding models to cover the full cost of the program:

  1. Private Funding (caveat on property title) - Funds are collected by way of a caveat on the property title of each parcel of land. These funds are then collected and managed by a local association.
  2. Special Tax Levy - If you are participating in the program through Special Tax Levy you can petition the entire neighbourhood for a special tax levy. This is an opt-in program for the entire neighbourhood and must be approved by Council. The City of Calgary collects and holds these funds on behalf of the community. Communities can petition for ELM or petition against it.

How to become an ELM community via special tax levy

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