From less mowing to attracting pollinators, there are plenty of reasons to consider them

By Lydia Major and Nikki Schlepp

The benefits of turf alternatives have been debated for years. Members of city councils, the parks commission, or perhaps even community members have touted the benefits: fescues that need only occasional mowing, saving staff time and reducing fossil-fuel consumption; clovers that attract bees and other pollinators that are essential to maintaining the planet’s health; or native wildflowers that require little irrigation but add blooms and beauty to park landscapes. What’s not to like about those options, right?