Pesticide Free Parks links with a series a resources prepared by the NorthWest coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) It includes links to pesticide-free parks in the U.S. Northwest and the following resources.

Learn more, Get involved, Take action

Ten Steps to Pesticide Free Parks
Download this excellent toolkit on how to establish a pesticide-free park in your community.

Non-Herbicidal Weed Control Strategies
Check out resources designed specifically for parks maintenance staff on successful strategies to maintain pesticide-free parks throughout the Northwest. 

Pesticide-Free Parks:  It’s Time!
Download an overview of the risks and benefits of pesticide-free parks.

Keep Your Own Home and Garden Pesticide Free
Non-chemical methods to control pests and weeds in and around your home.

Pesticide-free Parks are a geat way to demonstrate alternatives methods of controlling weeds and educating a neighbourhod on alternatives. This information is American  Actions suggested in Ten Steps to Pesticide Free Parks sample petition, volunteer form, sample letters to decision-makers, testimony to city council, agrrement, news release and many more. It refers to Letters to the Editor: Writing an Effective Letter to the Editor PDF, and Meetings with Elected Officials   PDF,

Does SK have pesticide-free parks?

Citizens of Saskatoon (2005) and Regina (2002) have unsuccessfully requested pesticide bylaws.  Saskatoon park staff often says that their parks are pesticide-free but they certainly use RoundUP for invasive plants (even in Meewasin) and, I think, cracks in sidewalks and streets. If you live in Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is keeping in touch with the city and has a pesticide program.

The request for pesticide bylaw in Regina resulted in the formation of an IPM committee and a series of resolutions by city council including setting up pesticide-free demonstration areas. The following year, this resolution was cancelled. The City of Regina Parks department has experimented with a hot water machine for weed control on hard surfaces. The machine was improperly used for most of the trial period. This needs to be revisited.

The City of Regina Spray Advisory Line  (777-7777) can be phoned every day to check on daily activities. Regina also advertises its pesticide program in the newspaper. (I believe they do so at the beginning of the season or before a particular spray program such as the Dutch Elm Disease program in the fall). Wascana Centre Authority (WCA) manages its own lands including being responsible for pesticide application. This includes the grounds of the University of Regina. It is much more difficult to obtain spraying information from WCA.

It would take a lot more time and money than SNAP has to do a thorough survey of municipal pesticide use. Do you know of any municipality with pesticide-free parks in SK? Let SNAP know

Where do SK municipalites use pesticides?

Herbicides are commonly used in parks, golf courses and any other city or municipal property. They generally include 2,4-D mixtures and Roundup at the very least. Municipalities may also have noxious weed control, often with more toxic products.

Insecticides: Many municipalities with Dutch Elm Disease programs will spray the base of their elm trees with chlorpyriifos (Dursban) in the fall. and has extensive summer spray programs with glyphosate (Roundup).on sidewalks, pathways, playgrounds, under fences in schools, baseball fields and others and spray with more toxic chemicals for noxious weed control (Leafy Spurge, Canada thistle, Scentess chamomile for instance). Regina Parks department also sprays the reduced risk products Btk in the spring for cankerworms, insecticidal soap, recently with pyrethrins added, for aphids on trees in summer, and are responsible for mosquito control in and around the city for West Nile virus control as well as for nuisance mosquitos. The city of Regina is also responsible for indoor pest control in its facilities. This program seems to be using least toxic alternatives products. WCA has added a spring dormant oil (reduced risk if pyrethrin free) program for scale insect control.

In addition, SNAP heard of many municipalities that will spray an area planned for a large event with malathion or other insecticide shortly prior to the event taking place to reduce mosquitos.

Rodenticides are used for ground squirrel control, rat, mouse control. They vary from various types of poison bombs in ground squirrel burrows, to poison bait (much more worrisome and known to cause a lot of children and pet casualties when not used properly). Municipalities do not generally use traps for rodent control.

Fungicides are used mostly on city golf courses. Regina has also been experimenting with hardier grasses for greens which may reduce fungicide use.

Avicides some municipalities may use avicides to get rid of sparrows or pigeons.

Large municipalities have parks departments which are generally responsible for pesticide use. Smaller municipalities may contract out some or all pesticide use.

Check with your municipality.

Most schools also regularly sprayed outside for weeds. We heard of some Moose Jaw schools getting rodent poison bait installed before school started (worrying). Many schools also use some insecticides indoors. If they do, they should keep a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) identifying active pesticide ingredients and some toxic formulants for each product. The Regina Public schools chose to use a vinegar-based herbicide in 2008.

School boards may or may not have agreements with their municipalities for weed and insect control, or they may hire professional companies..

Many reduced-risk pesticide products are available.

You can help supporting these resources by joining NCAP! and SNAP ..

Updated May 16/09