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Parkland Maintenance

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Parkland Maintenance controls weeds through a variety of strategies such as mowing, naturalization and responsible herbicide application.

The City of Edmonton is proud of its vast parkland and works hard to maintain its biodiversity. Through responsible care and proper preservation practices, it can continue to be enjoyed by all.

Through the use of naturalization, responsible herbicide use, multiple weed control techniques and mowing, the City of Edmonton controls weeds and promotes biodiversity in our green spaces.

Service Levels Effective July 2020

Turf / Amenity Type	Service Level	Citizen Impact
Premier sports fields Premier parks (eg. Hawrelak Park)	Continue to be mowed to regular standards (7-day cycles) One cycle of weed whacking, push mowing around objects / trees per year Lines will not be marked on premier sports fields by the City Reduction in weed control	Fields should be functional and ready for use
Regular sports fields District parks Pocket parks Neighbourhood walkways Berms/hills Multi-use pathways Roadways (boulevards) Pipeline and utility corridors Stormwater Management Facilities	Mowing on a 14-day cycle One cycle of weed whacking, push mowing around objects / trees per year Lines will not be marked on regular sports fields by the City Reduction in weed control Grass around storm water ponds will be mowed after August 17 to ensure the safety of any birds during the nesting season	Some tall grass may be present in these areas, depending on weather Increase of dandelions and other weeds due to the reduced mowing frequency May be islands of longer grass around clusters of trees and on berms/hills due to reduced trimming frequency

Turf Mowing in Communities

We appreciate that Edmontonians have shown their community spirit by mowing grassy areas that had reduced maintenance and service levels this year. We understand that people want to use green spaces and sports fields, especially at this time of year, however the City does not encourage Edmontonians to mow City-owned parks.

Please stay safe while doing any yard or turf maintenance. When operating a mower, follow these tips:

Read, understand and follow the manufacturer's instructions before using a power tool
Inspect equipment before use to make sure that it is in good working order and safety guards are in place
Keep children and pets away from the mowing area, and never allow children to operate or ride a lawnmower
Ensure familiarity with the operation of the mower and inspecting it before use
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (long pants, safety glasses, close-fitting clothes and non-slip safety toe footwear)
Assess the hazards in the area before you mow (for example, removing rocks and making sure people and pets are not in the mowing area
More mowing tips are available from Health Canada

Please note there is no mowing or maintenance in planned naturalization areas. You can view a map of naturalization sites at edmonton.ca/naturalization.

Pesticide Notifications

Daily tracking of where crews plan to treat for pests in the city helps to manage a variety of pest types.

Herbicide Reduction

The City is trying to eliminate non-essential uses of herbicides on city-owned land.

Commitment to the Environment

The City of Edmonton is committed to turf maintenance practices which make economic and environmental sense. The City also offers programs to discontinue spraying in restricted areas.

For More Information

Parks and River Valley Operations - General Information

Online	Contact 311 Online

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

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