Parks Maintenance

Municipal decisions about new community amenities are guided by the Parks Master Plan, which identifies community needs for new amenities and was developed using extensive community feedback.

Numerous factors affect decision-making, such as site evaluations, needs assessments, land availability, maintenance requirements, and budget. Projects are brought forward in alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan, balanced with the need for responsible use of public funds. Projects are funded by capital budget requests for the following year, which are approved by Council during budget meetings in December.

Seasonal displays and flower beds are planned and planted annually by the Parks horticulture team to contribute to community beautification and promote a positive image of the region.

Parks Horticulture Technicians design the seasonal displays during the winter season, using their expertise, personal creativity and lessons learned from previous seasons on what grows well. The technicians also incorporate Municipal initiatives such as the Communities in Bloom flower of the year as well as National colour schemes.

The team installs seasonal displays at Municipal facilities, regional parks, and main roadways. These areas are chosen for their high visibility, so as many people as possible can enjoy them. Access for watering and the amount of shade or sun the areas receive are also considered when placing displays. Keeping display installations to specific areas allows Parks to remain fiscally responsible while streamlining maintenance requirements, such as watering, weeding, pruning.

The Parks Master Plan guides planning, development, management and investment to manage and sustain parkland in Wood Buffalo for the next ten years. The plan offers general and neighbourhood-specific recommendations, especially for under-serviced areas.

The Parks Master Plan also includes the Urban Forest Strategy, which guides the Municipality's efforts to protect and sustain urban forests. The Urban Forest Strategy offers recommendations to be implemented over the next 20 years.

For more details, please see the Parks Master Plan webpage.

The Strategic Plan relates to Parks in multiple areas, including:

• Supporting opportunities and community partnerships that help promote a positive image of Wood Buffalo
• Creating and enhancing Reconciliation spaces
• Supporting the creation of a strategy for downtown that identifies and coordinates municipal investment and improvements
• Managing tax dollars and other revenues strategically and responsibly.

Mowing of parks, trails and greenspaces in the Urban Service Area is done by municipal staff or through contracts with third-party service providers. Parks tracks mowing and grass cutting progress and confirms daily reports given by contracted service providers. Areas are prioritized based on the park classification (size, service area and amenities), and the maintenance required for use.

Priority Area 1 locations are high-profile parks (such as regional parks) and receive maintenance on a seven-day cycle. Priority Area 2 locations are addressed on a rotating 14-day cycle.

Beyond Priority Area 1 and 2 locations, the RMWB contracts service providers for mowing and grass cutting for trails, firebreaks, and sports fields. The Birchwood Trails are maintained by RMWB staff.

Firebreaks are designed to be a 30-meter buffer maintained twice per summer season. Typically, this maintenance is done in July and September to maintain emergency access, if needed. Firebreaks are designed to receive minimal maintenance as the grass types chosen are slow, low-growing varieties that need to go to seed in order to propagate. This allows for a fire fuel-free buffer zone between forested areas and residential/commercial properties. Firebreaks are designated as Priority Area 4 locations.

For further information please visit our Mowing and Grass Cutting webpage.

Community trails are maintained by the Parks Department. Each trail receives an annual inspection and from these inspections, maintenance plans are built for the year. Asphalt trails are swept free of debris after winter and throughout the summer as required. Gravel trails receive fixes and top ups of additional gravel fixes as needed.

After a snowfall event, snow plowing begins on select asphalt trails and sidewalks, prioritizing those trails and sidewalks in school zones and near health care centers. Select gravel trails around the RMWB are groomed and have cross country ski tracks to allow more access to our trail network. Select trails in the Birchwood Trail System are groomed by the Ptarmigan Nordic Ski Club in the winter for cross country skiing.

Garbage cans near high-use municipal parks and amenities are emptied on a daily basis, with garbage cans in lower-use parks and amenities usually emptied on a weekly basis. Litter is picked up as part of regular operations.

Garbage cans have been removed from trails in forested areas to help minimize human & bear encounters. They are available at trail entrances.

The RMWB uses a variety of surface materials to cover a range of uses and infrastructure requirements, including asphalt, gravel, concrete and engineered wood fibre. For more information about playground surface materials, please visit our Playground Safety and Accessibility webpage. 

The lifecycle of playground equipment varies depending on the type of equipment and materials used. Generally, playground equipment is expected to last between 15 and 20 years. There is a dedicated team that regularly inspects playgrounds and tests equipment to ensure they meet the rigorous safety standards and regulations set forth by the Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI).

Regular inspections determine when the equipment lifecycle has ended. To secure funding, administration must request it through the capital budget process for approval by Council.

Parks and greenspaces on municipal land in rural communities receive regular maintenance from Public Works staff or contracted services every two weeks, depending on weather. Roadsides are usually mowed twice per year, depending on growth.

Once activated, spray parks are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Spray parks typically start opening in May and start closing in early September as winter approaches.

Playgrounds can be found on the Parks & Facilities Map.

The Municipality is committed to building an inclusive region. Accessible design for public spaces is a priority for all capital projects, including parks and playgrounds. Many of the recently updated playgrounds in the region include accessible features, such as:

• Ramp access
• Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (ADA) swing seats
• Brava universal and face-to-face swings
• Sign language and Braille alphabet boards
• Contrasting colors for visual aids
• Wooden borders have been replaced with graded concrete borders to provide a smooth transition into the playgrounds

For more information, please visit our Playground Safety and Accessibility webpage.

Outdoor ice rinks are typically open from late November to mid-March, depending on conditions. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. You can use the Parks & Facilities Map to check the status of your local outdoor ice rink.

You can request permission to build your temporary community rink through an application form on our Community Rinks webpage. Approved temporary non-boarded community rinks are built and maintained by volunteers, using snowbanks to create borders and consistent watering to build the ice surface.

Residents seeking to report broken equipment, lighting or other damages should contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or rmwb.ca/pulse.

The RMWB welcomes participation in its public engagement surveys and sessions. Residents can also submit their feedback, which may be utilized for future planning, via Pulse at rmwb.ca/pulse.