October 11, 2011 Meeting at West Ridge in Highland Park, IL
While a public outcry resulted in a temporary postponement, the Park District still favors spraying Dow's Confront herbicide. The Park District's special meeting on pesticide use at the playing fields was held last week. The meeting
was well attended, and about 25 HP residents spoke -- ALL against the use of herbicides on these fields.
Only one person, a non resident representing the IL Turfgrass Association, spoke in favor of using herbicides. The
Park District has not yet made a decision on this issue. If you were unable to attend the meeting or have not yet sent comments to the Park District, they will be accepting input through this Friday, Oct. 21. The petition (4th
link on left) will also remain open until a decision is made. Please email the Commissioners and sign the petition if you haven't already done so, by this Friday.
Chip Osborne, an organic turf care expert, came in for the day thanks to donations
from several HP residents. Chip inspected the fields during the day with Park District staff, and spoke at the
meeting. The good news is that weeds have NOT overtaken the fields, nor is playability impacted. While there
are some problem areas that need to be addressed, the fields look very good overall, and Chip said that a general
pesticide application is not necessary. Most of the weeds present are due to specific conditions (compaction, low
lying areas, grass cut too short, wear and tear near goals, etc.) Using an herbicide will treat the symptom in the short term only, and may result in muddy patches since it's now too late in the season to grow grass. A more effective, long term approach is to correct the problem with cultural practices like aeration or re-grading certain
areas of the field.
was well attended, and about 25 HP residents spoke -- ALL against the use of herbicides on these fields.
Only one person, a non resident representing the IL Turfgrass Association, spoke in favor of using herbicides. The
Park District has not yet made a decision on this issue. If you were unable to attend the meeting or have not yet sent comments to the Park District, they will be accepting input through this Friday, Oct. 21. The petition (4th
link on left) will also remain open until a decision is made. Please email the Commissioners and sign the petition if you haven't already done so, by this Friday.
Chip Osborne, an organic turf care expert, came in for the day thanks to donations
from several HP residents. Chip inspected the fields during the day with Park District staff, and spoke at the
meeting. The good news is that weeds have NOT overtaken the fields, nor is playability impacted. While there
are some problem areas that need to be addressed, the fields look very good overall, and Chip said that a general
pesticide application is not necessary. Most of the weeds present are due to specific conditions (compaction, low
lying areas, grass cut too short, wear and tear near goals, etc.) Using an herbicide will treat the symptom in the short term only, and may result in muddy patches since it's now too late in the season to grow grass. A more effective, long term approach is to correct the problem with cultural practices like aeration or re-grading certain
areas of the field.