
Chestermere is a place where community and nature blend beautifully, nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of David and Hermie, long-time residents of the Cove. Their award-winning garden became a neighbourhood landmark, a vibrant, colourful oasis that brought joy to countless passersby. Many stopped to admire the flowers or strike up a conversation. “So many people stop, and we’ve actually made lifelong friends,” said David.
However, their cherished garden faced a serious challenge when essential underground work was needed in their neighbourhood. “We were expecting maybe a small hole. Instead, the hole was six feet by ten feet and six feet deep—there was nothing left of the garden. After they finished the excavation and ran the pipes, a dump truck backed up to the hole and began filling it with raw dirt—not soil, but gravel, stone, and whatever else they had on hand. I said, ‘Oh no,’” David recounted.
“They told me, ‘Oh, no problem, sir. We’ll grass it over when we’re done,’ and I said, ‘No, you won’t. This was a prize-winning flower garden—you can’t just cover it with grass,’” David explained.

He vividly remembers the heartbreak of realizing their garden wouldn’t be restored to its former glory. “We had put in nearly six feet of rich soil and compost. Seeing it replaced with highway-grade dirt and rocks was devastating.”
Feeling frustrated, David reached out to City Hall, where a dedicated staff member became involved. “She told me, ‘I know your property. I’ve walked by it many times, and it’s outstanding. What have they done?’ I described the situation, and she said, ‘I’ll be there in 10 minutes.’”
“They brought in good soil—about two or three feet of it. The team that came back to fix the garden was so patient. They had clear instructions and knew exactly what needed to be done. I told them how we’d originally set up the garden, and they followed everything perfectly. When I water the plants now, the soil doesn’t run off because they put down rocks exactly as I asked. They were fantastic,” said Hermie.
“As for the unique flowers and the cost to replace them—many of the plants we had were irreplaceable. But we moved on. The main reason I’m sharing this is to show that our City Hall really does care. They came through for us when we thought everything was lost, and I just want people to know that.”
Thanks to the City’s efforts, David and Hermie’s garden was restored, and once again, they are enjoying the beauty they worked so hard to create. More than just flowers, the garden symbolizes the deep connections within the community and the importance of empathy and understanding when things go wrong.