Welcome to the City of Lawrence, your site for city services. Skip directly to: Navigation, Content.

City of Lawrence, Your site for city services.

Pesticide-Free Parks

In May 2005, the Lawrence City Commission requested the Parks and Recreation Department to select a park to conduct a pilot program, maintaining it as a pesticide-free area for a one-year period. Lawrence Parks and Recreation staff chose Watson Park in Downtown Lawrence.

During this time, the department experimented with non-pesticide products to manage weeds, insects and fungi in the park, as well as develop a volunteer network to help manage the space. Volunteers assisted with the park by weeding the flower and shrub beds.

Any individuals or groups interested in volunteering are asked to call the Parks and Recreation Department, 832-3450.

Other step being taken to reduce citizen exposure to pesticides:

  • All pesticides purchased for the 2006 growing season and beyond will be EPA Category III and IV pesticides, which will also reduce chemical applications to the least toxic option for each control issue.
  • When pesticide use is necessary, signs will be posted one hour prior to application. They will be placed in highly visible areas and remain up for 24 hours after application. The notification signs will include: the name and active ingredient of the pesticide product, the target pest, the date of pesticide use, and contact information for the city department.

For those wanting specific information on their neighborhood park and its pesticide program, please contact the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office at parksrec@ci.lawrence.ks.us or 832-3450.

Pesticide Usage Jan 07-July 07



In addition to Watson Park, Park and Recreation manages the following parks as pesticide free. (since summer of 2005)

Links will be made to pages below once they have been created.

 District 1
KANZA Southwind Nature Preserve
Martin Park
McGrew Nature Preserve
Green Meadows Park
Quail Run Park
1612 Acre Park / Open areas
1612 Acre Park / Mutt Run Dog Park
1612 Acre Park / Sesquicentennial Point
 Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area
Heatherwood Trail
SLT Trail

District 2
Ludlam Park
Clinton Park (does not include landscape beds)
Park Hill Park #1
Park Hill Park #2
Park Hill Park #3
Woody Park
Stonegate Park
Naismith Valley Park
Buford Watson Jr. Park pilot program park

District 3
Parnell Park
19th and Haskell Park
Brook Creek Park (developed areas only)
 Chaparral Park
Hand Park (does not include landscape beds)
John Taylor Park
Walnut Park
Riverfront Park (developed areas only)
8th and Oak Boat Ramp
Habitat Restoration Area - 7th and New York
17th and Harper
Mud Creek Boat Ramp
Hobbs Park (does not include ball diamond)
 Haskell Rail Trail