In southwest Edmonton’s newest park amenity in Chappelle Gardens, Freida Hiller Park, still stands a Manitoba Pine—originally planted as a seedling by the Hiller family in 1932. Today, it serves as a living symbol of local history and a reminder of the legacy rooted in this land.
When designing the park, the Brookfield Residential team was intentional about honouring the past, creating a place for reflection today, and planning for the future. Sustainability—not just aesthetics—guided their choices. Rather than planting traditional grass, they selected clover as a low-maintenance, environmentally friendly alternative that supports biodiversity and aligns with future-focused landscaping practices. While it may seem like an unconventional choice, the long-term benefits made it a natural fit and a meaningful trial for future communities.
The park now looks as though it is painted in Emerald green as everything around it starts to turn gold in the fall season. The benefits of clover:
- Low Maintenance - Requires little to no mowing and watering. This summer, the team only had to mow it 4 times.
- Soil Improvement - Clover pulls nitrogen from the air and adds it to the soil which reduces the need for fertilizer. It also adds organic that improves soil structure over time.
- Drought Tolerant - Clover has deeper roots than grass, helping it stay green during dry periods.
- Fewer Weeds - It spreads densely and crowds out many common weeds naturally.
- Pollinator-Friendly - Clover flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
- Stays Green Longer - Even when grass goes dormant in heat or drought, clover typically stays lush.
- Dog & Pet Resistant - Clover is more tolerant of dog urine and recovers faster than grass.
Choosing clover at Freida Hiller Park isn’t just a design decision, it’s part of a broader commitment to resilient, sustainable community spaces in Edmonton.
