No Chemicals Allowed in Coldstream Parks

Written by Peter McIntyre Thursday, 11 February 2010 16:53107.5 KISSFM:

Coldstream's mayor say his community will be a "guinea pig" for the rest of the area when it comes to natural turf care. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and the District's council have both passed motions banning herbicide or pesticide use on public land in Coldstream this year.Jim Garlick says it will be an interesting test and may shed some new light on the issue. "For us to be a guinea pig and actually say, 'here you go, a year without it', what does it look like? And actually get some true comparisons. We always get from staff 'oh you've got to spray three times a year' and everything else. I know some people in my neighborhood who never spray their lawn and their lawn looks fine, then I've know other people who spray constantly."GVAC is also recommending there be no herbicides used within 30 meters of playgrounds and picnic areas in Vernon, and that Round Up use on hard surfaces be cut from three to two applications a year.