2014 Budget Planning for Public Lawns

Sep 25, 2013 10:59 AM

Patrick Fitzgerald, Peter Sigmann M.D., Victoria Cerinich and Marne Kaeske

Dear Residents of Door County, Municipal Officers and School Boards Members:

The organizations represented on this letter have joined together to advocate for Safe Lawns in Door County and bring an end to the practice of repetitive and costly application of pesticides, including herbicides, to private and public lawns. When planning your 2014 budget, we, the undersigned and your neighbors, ask you to consider safer alternatives for public lawns, parks and playing fields.

The commonly sprayed herbicides are harmful, especially to children and pets, causing various forms of cancer and endocrine effects. The warning flags and re-entry limitations are ineffective and insufficient. Rather than advise against or prohibit entry, make the lawns safe to walk and play upon.

Moreover, universal application of herbicides is expensive and unnecessary. With a little planning, a lawn or playing field can be taken off of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The natural lawn and field will be more drought-tolerant and cost less to maintain.

Please keep these considerations in mind this fall as you develop the budget for 2014 and make contracts for lawn care. Local landscapers can provide safe alternatives, if you ask. To learn more or contact us, go to www.doorpropertyowners.org/safe-lawns-in-door-county.

Respectfully submitted by;

Patrick Fitzgerald and Peter Sigmann MD, and Victoria L Cerinich on behalf of Door Property Owners and Safe Lawns in Door County;

Marne Kaeske on behalf of The Ridges Sanctuary;

And our supporters, who live, work and play in all of the communities in Door County, including the League of Women Voters of Door County, Door County Environmental Council, Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, Sustain Door, Crossroads at Big Creek and WildOnes.