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Parks maintenance and operations

Maintaining our parks

Parks & Open Spaces maintains over 10,000 hectares of parkland and natural areas in Calgary. The City works closely with advisory committees, other business units and community associations to collaborate and engage with the public.

Mowing in parks

Parks & Open Spaces mow an area equivalent to approximately 7500 CFL football fields during the growing season; comparable to approximately 4000 hectares. Parks greenspaces are mowed at different frequencies depending on how many people use the space and for which types of activities (e.g. playing soccer, picnicking or stopping on the sides of the road when needed). 

Mowing frequency – based on type of use:

  • Regional parks (larger with more amenities) and playfields (e.g. community soccer and ballfields) are mowed up to 20 times per growing season
  • Community parks (smaller, local parks) are mowed up to 10 times per growing season
  • Roadside greens (next to major roadways) are mowed up to four times per growing season

Do all communities get mowed at the same time?

Calgary has a variety of sub-climates meaning some communities receive more moisture than others.  

Following heavy rain, areas will be left to dry before mowing to avoid damage to the turf by heavy mowing equipment that can sink into the ground. Drier conditions result in less frequent mowing as the growth of grass slows. 

Roadside greens

Roadside greens, also known as “road boulevards,” are typically greenspaces next to major roadways and other transportation infrastructure. Working closely with our contracting teams, our seasonal staff will remove litter, repair areas damaged over the winter months, remove noxious weeds and mow these areas four times a year starting in the spring and ending in the fall.

Naturalization initiative

Parks is changing the way we care for some green spaces throughout the city, including a naturalization initiative. Changes will increase plant and animal diversity, and will reduce the need for regular maintenance.

Parks is in the process of identifying options and opportunities for moving toward a more natural state in some of our parks and green spaces, while balancing current use of these spaces. Into the future, naturalization sites can contain a mix of wildflower and grass species that are native and well adapted to Calgary’s climate with deeper roots than non-native plants, a key component to drought resilience in a changing climate.

What we do

The City's parks maintenance and operations teams work year-round to develop and sustain our green spaces.

Our responsibilities include:

Please note: If you're drilling, staking, excavating or using heavy equipment in a park space, median or boulevard, an irrigation line locate is required. Please call 311 for more information.

To request park maintenance, please call 311 or use the 311 app with the nearest intersection, proximity to the park and details of maintenance required.

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