Please choose between the following three options:
Skip to main menu Skip to site search Continue to current page menu and contentMain page content begins here
The City is committed to maintaining sports fields to the quality standards identified by City Council and the joint use field strategy.
City Parks Operations only provides line marking on Premier-level fields that have been booked, fields located on District standard parks, by request, and approved special events/tournaments, also by request.
Fields can be closed due to unsafe playing surfaces and to prevent severe turf damage.
Monday-Friday: 2pm
Weekends-Holidays: 10am
To keep fields safe, open, and meet the standard for high quality fields, the City has set guidelines for inclement weather and team sports playing on wet fields.
When possible some exceptions could include, closing a limited number of fields (Premier fields, which is due to the heavy demand/use they receive) or user discretion when feasible.
Turf damage to fields occurs when overused or used during inclement weather. Prolonged rain or heavy downpours with field use will cause irreparable damage to the turf. This happens in early spring and late fall and includes snowfall and removal of snow for football games and practices.
Warm weather in the spring may result in fields being free of snow and appear playable. However, they're not officially open but may be used casually by users assuming all liability.
To keep damage to a minimum and ensure play safe conditions, fields may be closed during inclement weather. This reduces repair costs and the potential for the field to be out of service for extended lengths of time.
Staffed Facility field bookings will be consolidated to one or two venues in the late fall to limit the damage and allow fields to be ready for spring season play the following year.
Once an assessment has been made the City makes a decision to open or close the fields. The Sports Fields Facility Notifications is updated and information is provided to 311.
In order to accommodate our customers on game days when it snows, and for requests to allow practices, the following fall snow removal guidelines will be used.
* Subject to change.
The City follows specific procedures in the proper maintenance of our sports fields.
City Parks Operations only field line/mark booked Premier-level fields, fields located on District standard parks (by request), and approved special events/tournaments (by request).
Portable pits are recommended for high jump and pole vault.
This service is provided by the City for the marking of Sports Fields in accordance with the Joint Use Field Strategy.
Parks staff may mark (paint only) tracks on schoolyard turf at the cost to do the work, providing that the marking causes no overlap confusion with other sports field markings and resources are available to do the work. Arrangements to mark existing ¼ mile shale tracks will be considered by request only.
Requests must be made at least 10 school days prior to the event.
Request For Sports Field Maintenance
Non-profit community groups wishing to borrow air pressurized line markers must first attend the field-lining workshop and subscribe (opt-in) as an eligible program participant.
Call 311 to register for the Line Marker Workshop.
In a continued effort to support Edmonton’s athletic community, the City is implementing changes to the Loan Out Program. Starting in 2026, program eligibility will be limited to non-profit community groups who are not otherwise responsible for line marking under another agreement. This will ensure the City can continue to provide equitable support for non-profits and eligible community groups.
Starting in 2026, the City will discontinue free paint distribution for profitable groups. For more information on your group’s eligibility for the Loan Out Program, please contact 311.
Loan Out Program users must confirm program eligibility and follow the program guidelines listed below.
The Loan Out Program will be available to previously authorized users, groups and representatives only. Only authorized representatives can pick up the line marking paint and equipment.
Sports associations and organizations with purchasing power are responsible for purchasing their own paint and equipment.
Users must be certified. Anyone signing out the line marking equipment, Field Lazer, must be certified. If you do not have certification, it will be provided shortly before you pick up the equipment.
Seminars / Workshops last 1/2 to 1 hour. The workshop consists of hands-on training in the use of marking equipment and a hand out for field use. Sessions will also provide training on practical methods for marking various types of sports fields.
Equipment is booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment may only be signed out for overnight use on weekdays from Monday through Thursday, and for the weekend, Friday through Sunday. We have two locations:
Upon signing out the equipment or paint, users will be required to provide us with the following information:
The Sports Field Team has transitioned from mixing paint to issuing straight concentrate for the Loan Out Program. The number of fields being marked by the group and the district will determine the amount of paint provided. Our responsibility is to stay within our designated budget. The amount of free paint provided will be capped on a transparent basis. When the paint is used up, there will be no new supplies forthcoming. When the free paint is used up, sports groups may purchase additional paint at a cost. At minimum, we issue 1 pail upon pick up.
Below is the amount of paint needed per field:
It is the user’s responsibility to have a suitable vehicle with straps for securing and hauling the equipment.
The equipment will be topped up with a full tank of gas before pickup. If additional gas is required, it will be up to the user to supply it.
No vehicles are to be driven onto the turf area and the site is to be left clean and tidy.
The use of any chemicals or any environmentally unfriendly product in the pre-mixed paint is prohibited.Any instance will be investigated by Alberta Environment and the City of Edmonton. Violators will be charged and all privileges will be revoked.
The City of Edmonton does not give any warranty as to the quality, condition or sufficiency of the equipment for any purpose and the equipment is being used at your own risk and is being provided on a strictly “as-is” basis. It is understood by the user that the use of the equipment may involve risks and dangers of serious injury and death. The user fully accepts and assumes all risks of using the equipment and takes responsibility for all losses, costs and damages which may occur as a result of using the equipment.
Borrowers may contact a crew leader for questions. Contact information will be provided upon material pickup.
Videos:
Picking Up Your Line Painting Equipment
Cleaning Your Line Painting Equipment After Use
This requires 2 people
Depending on the amount of natural rainfall Premier Sports Fields receive, they are given supplementary irrigation to provide 1” of moisture per week.
102 Street and Kingsway Avenue
Turf grass is judged by its playability, density, ability to withstand pests and diseases and its uniformity of growth and colour.
The following six practices are central in growing healthy turf. Every year these practices should be executed and re-evaluated to ensure they provide the best possible quality turf.
Aerifying
(Verti-Drain and core aeration) corrects soil compaction from increased use and traffic.
Fertilizing
Is done after determining the nutrient requirements of the turf, which depends on the type, soil, drainage, and intensity of use.
Irrigation
Is one of the most important parts of growing good turf. Proper watering helps develop deep roots and stronger turf.
Weed Control
Is best done by growing good turf through aeration and irrigation. Herbicides are used only when needed.
Top Dressing/Overseeding
Helps restore normal turf conditions after damage.
Mowing
(5 cm in height, 10 - 12 times a year) and maintaining a height of cut compatible with the growth characteristics of a given turf grass is important.
| Online | Contact 311 Online |
|---|
If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
| Phone | 311 |
|---|---|
| TTY | 711 |