Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2020 01 09

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Public Comment on Agenda Item #9, Discussion on Use of Herbicides in Parks Dear Dean and Parks Board, I’m unfortunately out of town tomorrow, so unable to come and voice this in person at your meeting. I read through the meeting packet and the note about taking small, incremental steps to foster community acceptance on a change in herbicide plan. I’m writing to encourage you to take bolder steps. As I said in a meeting last year to you, my dog is one of my greatest joys in life, and I do everything possible to make sure she stays healthy and happy as long as possible. As you know, I have put countless hours of sweat equity into reducing the amount of glyphosate sprayed in the Community Park dog parks by pulling weeds before you spray, which often takes a toll on my own work schedule, my physical well-being, and my time playing with my own dog. (I often come without her, just so I can fully focus on getting rid of the maximum number of weeds.) In addition, I keep her out of the sprayed areas (which I’m lucky to be able to do, because she’s a very good dog who obeys voice control well), and at the advice of my veterinarian, thoroughly wipe her down with a wet towel before putting her in my car at the dog park, year-round, to prevent as much glyphosate staying on her, as possible. I also give her CBD oil as a cancer preventive. You’re undoubtedly well aware of the burgeoning lawsuits, evidence, and information coming to light about the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate/”Roundup.” This is not merely a cosmetic choice for our community. It’s about the long-term health of everyone who uses our parks or lives adjacent to them. Citizens pay taxes, so that a city can best look out for the health and safety of everyone. I write in hopes that you honor that by using those tax dollars to implement an herbicide-free plan in the parks this year. If your decision is to do another test park, I hope that you’ll choose Community Park dog park. While I believe that tax payer dollars should pay for city workers to do the weeding, if you choose to organize community members for that, I’ll be front and center, and I think those dog parks could be weed-free in a short amount of time with more than just me doing it. Please take the biggest step you can this year towards making Louisville healthier for all of us, 2-, 3-, or 4-legged, alike! Sincerely, Sara Avery 1329 Agape Way Lafayette CO 80026