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Vegetation Management In City Parks
An integrated approach to vegetation management
The Parks & Recreation Department manages over 4,275 acres of public lands for parks, trails, conservation lands, and landscaped right-of-ways, with new lands and facilities being added nearly every year. Through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the department manages pests that are detrimental to the health, function or aesthetic value of parks in an effective and environmentally responsible manner, with utmost consideration to public and employee safety. Thoughtful, timely and selective use of herbicides is just one tool of many used to maintain park lands. Learn more in the Parks and Recreation
Fast Facts About Weed Control In City Parks
- In all City parks, herbicides are NOT used in or on picnic shelters, playgrounds, volleyball courts, splash decks or other water sources.
- Parks and Recreation exceeds legal requirements by posting areas to be treated 24 hours before application and 24 hours after application. Multiple signs are used to mark treated areas.
- Thoughtful, timely and selective use of herbicides is just one tool of many used to maintain park lands.
- Weed control on City Open Space
Herbicide-Free Parks and FAQ
At the request of citizens, Parks and Recreation has designated the parks below as herbicide-free public spaces (PDF) this year. These parks contain lower levels of weed infestation, allowing parks staff to maintain the parks' desirable turf grasses with manual techniques this year.
All playgrounds, dog parks and splash pad areas are herbicide free.
Herbicide-free parks will rotate annually, based on an annual weed inventory of the parks system, park maintenance costs, protection of park infrastructure and public input.
2019 Herbicide-free Parks
Park | Address |
---|---|
Bonner Park | 1600 Ronald |
Boyd Park | 3131 Washburn |
Duncan Dr. Soccer Field | Duncan Drive and Mountain View |
Garland Park | 4810 23rd Avenue |
Greenough Park (Developed park only) |
1001 Monroe |
Honeysuckle Park |
4331 Barbara Lane |
Jacob's Island | 6 S. Van Buren |
Lester Park | 200 Sentinel Street |
Westside Park |
1100 Sherwood |
The Vegetation Management Tool Box
Weed prevention is the key
Parks and Recreation
Developed parkland management strategies, ranked in order of frequency of use:
1. IPM-based landscape design.
2. Mowing and irrigation.
3. Fertilization, aeration, top dressing, reseeding.
4. Mechanical control (such as weed pulling and trimming.)
5. Mulching.
6. Field rotation and use restrictions.
7. Geo-textile and barrier fabrics.
8. Herbicides.
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Contact Us
-
Donna Gaukler
DirectorEmail Parks and Recreation
600 Cregg Lane
Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 406-721-PARK
Park Operations
100 Hickory Street
Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 406-552-6277
Hours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.