Brad Clark Report

City grass is up to Councillor Brad Clark’s knee near St. Paul and Billy Green elementary schools May 27, 2026

GRASS CUTTING REDUCES THROUGH STRONG MAYOR BUDGET

The Mayor’s 2026 Budget, under strong mayor powers, presented several cost saving measures including a 25% reduction in city grass cutting on public rights-of-way and boulevards, as well as naturalizing many parks and parkettes. The projected savings was $105,000 by reducing grass cutting on city land during off-peak growing periods.

Councillor Tom Jackson (Ward 6) moved an amending motion to maintain the grass cutting citing past experiences with similar motions. Councillor Brad Clark seconded the motion objecting that grass cutting is a basic service and reducing the cycles will only create challenges with high grass near well maintained private homes. It will also increase risk of more tick bites with people and pets walking by this uncut grass. Staff assured Councillors that they will retain discretion to add cuttings as required. Further, they stated that they will manage cuttings based on the season. In other words, their plan was to reduce cutting in later summer and fall when grass growth is dormant from heat and lack of rainwater. Council defeated our amendment.

Naturalization of parks, parkettes and city lands

There was another component of the Mayor’s Budget reducing grass cutting through a naturalizing process. In Ward 9, this reduction affected Albion Estates Park, Aylmer Parkette and Tapleytown Men’s Club Park. I publicly objected to the inclusion of these parks in such cost cutting schemes. Subsequently, I met with the Director of Environmental Services to discuss the ramifications for residents as these parks are a part of the social fabric in Ward 9. I asked staff to review the decision and visit the properties wherein they would actually see the parks rather than relying on a desktop review. The Director later indicated that they would continue maintaining Ward 9 parks as they were relatively small in size and well utilized.

Further clarification from staff provided to Council

Q1. What changes are being proposed for grass cutting in urban right-of-way areas?

Staff Answer: The City is adjusting its grass cutting schedule within municipal right-of-way areas, which are maintained by contracted services overseen by the Transportation Division of Public Works. The new approach keeps the current cutting cycle during the spring and early summer when grass grows most rapidly but reduces the frequency later in the season when grass growth slows or becomes dormant. This means fewer cuts in late summer and fall, reflecting periods when mowing has limited visual or functional benefit. The annual cutting frequency will decrease by 25% from 12 to 9 cycles, resulting in a budget savings of $105,000. The City can add extra cuts if unusual weather leads to sustained grass growth. These changes are designed to maintain roadway safety, visibility, and urban appearance.

Residents React

Residents of Ward 9, who are usually calm and respectful, exploded in anger and frustration. Many residents highlighted the double standard with the city enforcing a grass cutting bylaw on residents’ properties while excusing themselves from the same standard. To summarize residents’ feelings, they were beyond angry. Coincidently, they received their tax bills in the same week when the reduction in services was most visible. I received calls asking why the grass was not cut. I read many well-written emails outlining concerns, risks and impacts. Some resident’s highlighting that they were trying to sell their homes and the visual of such long grass scared some buyers away. Finally, I would diplomatically describe the social media posts as candid and honest expressing their complete disappointment in the city’s lack of follow through and their promises to “keep the current cutting cycle during the spring and early summer when grass grows most rapidly but reduces the frequency later in the season when grass growth slows or becomes dormant”.

Councillor Clark’s Advocacy

I spent a couple of days reaching out to our management team and members of the senior leadership team. In chronological order, I emailed the General Manager of Public Works, I called the Manager of Roadway Maintenance, and the Director of Transportation. I met with the Acting City Manager and the General Manager of Finance. As a result of this advocacy, road crews were redirected to Ward 9 to cut the grass on municipal rights-of-way and boulevards.

I thanked all of them for their attention to this matter. They committed to complete the work. I took the opportunity to discuss the need to collect grass clippings as the volume is too high for efficient decomposition, it is a trip hazard for sports play, and quite frankly it doesn’t look good. They agreed to look after it.

Update

I just spoke with the Manager of Roadway Maintenance and he confirmed my understanding that the grass cutting in the suburbs is done by contractors and not by city staff. The public rights-of-way and boulevards on Paramount Drive south of Mud Street were cut. But the standard of care is unacceptable. It appears as though the mower operator missed sections or the grass was so thick it was not cut and mulched. Regardless it is certainly not up to the standard expected by Ward 9 residents. It needs to be cleaned up.

I also informed him that they have still missed many boulevards including the rights-of-ways on Mud Street and Paramount Drive north of Mud Street. He confirmed to me once again that they are cutting the grass based on the reduction in service from 12 to 9 cuttings per year. I reminded him that staff made it clear during budget deliberations that they have the discretion to add cuttings as required and would reduce cuttings in the dormant periods in the fall. He confirmed my understanding and stated that management is meeting tomorrow to address this issue.