Autonomous mowers bring increased efficiency and innovation to select recreation locations

The City of Calgary is testing autonomous grass mowers at two sites this season as part of a pilot focused on supporting the operations and maintenance of athletic fields. 

The pilot, led by Recreation & Social Programs, is taking place at Glenmore and Frank McCool Athletic Parks. The goal is to better understand how the technology performs in real-world conditions and where it may be appropriate to use in the future.  

“This is a small, controlled trial that allows us to explore how new technology can support our crews and day-to-day operations,” says Marc Sackman, Team Lead, Recreation & Social Programs. “We’re focused on learning what works well and where it makes sense to use tools like this.” 

Supporting crews and improving field conditions 

The autonomous mowers are designed to handle routine grass cutting in open areas, operating along pre-programmed routes. By taking on some of this routine work, the pilot allows staff to focus more time on detailed maintenance and site upkeep.  

The technology can also support more consistent mowing throughout the week, helping maintain healthier and more even playing surfaces. In addition, flexible scheduling allows mowing to take place overnight or between bookings, which can be difficult to achieve with traditional equipment and competing site demands. In addition, the units operate at a low noise level of up to 52 dB, similar to a conversation, helping minimize noise impacts to nearby users and communities. 

Focused on learning 

The pilot will continue through the 2026 season, with a focus on safety, reliability and overall performance. 

The City will use what it learns to assess where this technology adds value and where it does not. There are no current plans to expand beyond the two pilot sites. Any future decisions will be made after results have been fully reviewed. 

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