Make Your Local Parks Pesticide-free

Image Gallery A pesticide-free park is a healthier environment for children, pets and wildlife. ISTOCKPHOTO

With summer on the horizon, a park is once again a perfect place to savor the outdoors with your family. Unfortunately, the park you and your family enjoy might be maintained with pesticides: chemicals used to prevent or kill insects, weeds and microorganisms that also pose risks to our health and the health of eco-systems.

Research links common pesticides to a range of health problems, from several types of cancer to an overall weakening of the immune system. Children are especially sensitive to pesticides, and the chemicals are also harmful to pets. Many parks are blanketed with the substances, yet most don't have signs to notify park-goers after a pesticide has been sprayed.

The use of such chemicals is not only dangerous, but unnecessary. There are a variety of alternatives for managing pests that are safer and effective, and some are even less expensive. Beyond Pesticides provides alternatives fact sheets for least toxic control of home and garden pests, as well as how to information and a directory of companies that offer alternatives for creating a healthier environment in your backyard or local park.

Some cities have campaigns underway to reduce or eliminate pesticide use in their parks. Check online to see if your area does and, if so, voice your support. Otherwise, follow these steps to help make your park pesticide-free.

1. Find out what pests are in your park and what pesticides are being used by contacting your county or city parks department, which is responsible for maintaining your park and thus chooses methods of controlling the pests.
2. Identify nontoxic alternatives to fight these pest problems. Fact sheets compiled by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides list safe or least-toxic ways to get rid of several kinds of pests.
3. Gather fellow community members to your cause by explaining the risks of pesticide exposure and the availability of alternatives. If more people knew that parks expose their families to harmful pesticides, many might volunteer to take preventative action, such as mulch and pull weeds in the park.
4. Meet with leaders at your county or city parks department. Be prepared to present the nontoxic alternatives you've researched and show that community members are willing to help maintain the park without pesticides. If local officials remain convinced that pesticide use is necessary, ask to minimize it, for example by not spraying around playground equipment. Also suggest that signs be posted for several days after a toxic chemical is sprayed, detailing what was used and possible health risks.