Pesticide-Free Parks Program 
The City of Eugene’s experienced and well-trained crews of park operations specialists care for over 1,000 acres of developed parks and street medians. With over 24 acres of parks to maintain for each staff person, the park maintenance program uses pesticides as a cost-effective method to steward the City’s park and open space lands. Pesticides are used when necessary to maintain City of Eugene parks to the community’s standards for safety, function, and appearance. Employee-driven innovations have resulted in the steady decrease of pesticide use over the past decade. City staff practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the control of weeds and other pests by using several techniques in combination, with an emphasis on methods that are least toxic to the environment and most specific to a particular pest. Whenever it is necessary for the City to use pesticides, the application is made by experienced, state-licensed applicators.
The City of Eugene has eight pesticide-free neighborhood parks located throughout the City’s park system. 

• Awbrey Park located at 4291 River Road 
• Berkeley Park located at Wilson Street and 14th Avenue 
• Brewer Park located at 1820 Brewer Lane 
• Gilbert Park located at 605 Gilbert Street 
• Rosetta Park located at Rosetta Avenue and Evergreen Drive 
• Scobert Gardens Park located at 1180 West 4th Avenue 
• Shadow Wood Park located at 4400 Shadow Wood Drive
• Washington Park located at 2025 Washington Street

What is a pesticide-free park?
A pesticide-free park is one that is maintained without the use of registered pesticides. No registered pesticides will be used in a City of Eugene pesticide-free park during the calendar year of designation unless there is a threat to public health or safety. If it becomes necessary to apply pesticides at a pesticide-free park, the site will be clearly posted before, during and after the application to notify users of the situation.

Why does the City of Eugene have a pesticide-free parks program?
The overuse and misuse of pesticides by homeowners are significant sources of the chemicals that are finding their way into our rivers, lakes and other natural systems. The City’s pesticide-free parks program is a showcase for the many alternative methods that are available to solve pest problems without pesticides. By demonstrating other ways to control pests, the City will encourage our community to use less of these chemicals.

How are the parks different?
City park operations staff have committed to maintaining the pesticide-free parks without the use of pesticides, which requires the use of alternative methods of weed control. Flame weeding, hand weeding, mulching and other techniques are used to control vegetation at the parks. Some areas that are difficult to maintain, such as fence lines and the areas under trees, may look less manicured and more natural than at other parks. The City of Eugene will continue to ensure that all parks provide an inviting and safe place to be enjoyed by all.

Your comments and questions about the program may be directed to: 
City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division
1820 Roosevelt Blvd.
Eugene, OR 97402
Ph: 541-682-4800

The City of Eugene’s Pesticide-Free Parks Program is a partnership with the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP). For information about NCAP and other pesticide-free parks programs, contact: 
NCAP
P.O. Box 1393
Eugene, OR 97440
Ph: 541-344-5044