Today while taking my son on a walk I decided to stop at Edward's Park in Lakewood to let him play. As I pushed the stroller to the park entrance I noticed some little white signs in the lawn saying "Keep Off -- Lawn Chemical Application."
I did a double-take. Lawn chemical application? Signs showing no kids or pets allowed on the grass? In a park?
The park reeked of toxins. I felt sick. And we immediately left.
Why is Lakewood doing this? Why do they feel the need to spray toxic chemicals in a park? Do they really expect kids to stay off the grass in a park? Do they know of any consequences of simply inhaling this chemical concoction?
I'd like to find the Park Dept.'s stance on using chemicals. Do all parks allow this? I'm going to contact my Councilperson and complain.
As I walked past Edward's Park on our way back home, the park was packed with kids all playing around the little white signs specifying "no kids allowed."
Just great.
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It's nice I'm not the only one pissed about lawn chemicals. A blogger on RealNeo posted some interesting facts about these toxins. I really think lawn chemicals should be illegal. Why do people care that their lawns consist only of 100 percent grass? Why do people obsesses over a tiny plot of land? Get a life!
[No, I didn't take that photo. It's brought to you via Clare Wilkinson.]
I suggest picking up a copy of Balanced living the next time you go to the library. There is a regular advertiser that does non-chemical lawn care. Contact them and get other parents involved to petition against chemical spraying in public parks. How about a letter to the editor AND writing your own story and submitting it to The Free Press!
ReplyDeleteI have other suggestions as to who you can contact but my five babies are keeping me in a constant state of sleep deprivation. I'll get back to you!
Isn't the lawn obsession awful?
ReplyDeleteGreat post.