Medicine Hat prepares parks for 2027 tree planting

Oct 28, 2026 | 2:06 PM

The City of Medicine Hat is preparing for next spring’s tree planting season, with work underway to get sites ready for 800 new trees across public parks and green spaces.

Parks and Recreation staff have started pre-drilling holes at select locations as part of the second year of the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) grant program.

The three-year program provides about 2,200 trees annually, with 800 designated for public spaces and another 1,400 available for residents to plant on private property.

The City plans to plant the 800 public trees across about 30 locations in 2027, including Calder Park, Redwood Park, Strathcona Island Park, Rotary Park and Riverside Veterans Memorial Park.

Other planned locations include Cameron Park, Ross Glen Park, Ross Haven Park, Rossland Park and Rossmere Park, along with Taylor Park, Valleyview Park and the Moose Ball Complex.

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The fall preparation work is intended to save time in the spring and allow crews to take advantage of optimal planting conditions.

The City says prepared sites will be marked and covered with plywood secured by stakes, with no open holes left behind.

Residents are asked to avoid these areas while crews are working and to contact Parks and Recreation at 403-529-8333, option 6, if they notice damage or missing plywood.

Staff select planting locations based on existing tree coverage, the condition of older trees and opportunities to provide future shade near amenities such as playgrounds.

The City also considers irrigation access, underground utilities and how planting locations may affect activities in parks and green spaces.

Meanwhile, planning continues for the public tree pickup program, which allows residents to receive trees for their private properties.

Following high demand in the program’s first year, the City says it is working to make the 2027 pickup process more efficient. Details are expected to be available by April.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat prepares parks for 2027 tree planting

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