The San Diego City Parks Department has just announced it will install a pilot project of three organic parks, one of which will be established at the Liberty Station NTC Park at 2455 Cushing Road. The organic parks will be run under an organic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy.
This move – finally – by the City and its Park Department is in direct response to a campaign by the San Diego Non Toxic Neighborhoods organization. The group was begun by Anne Jackson Hefti who started a petition addressed to Mayor Faucloner pleading for the city to get rid of toxic poisons, like RoundUp, at its parks, beaches and recreation areas, and to instill IPMs. Currently the petition has nearly 1400 signatories.
The other two parks to be made into “organic” are the Nobel Athletic area and library on Judicial Drive and at Azalea Community Park on Violet Avenue in City Heights.
Next steps for the parks? Soil samples will be taken, and once soil analyses have been completed, the protocol for each park will be discussed by Parks staff and the Non Toxic Neighborhood team.
Here is a message from the Non Toxic Neighborhoods:
If you sent emails, signed the petition, or attended a rally YOU helped make this happen. This is just the beginning. Please continue to let your voice be heard by continuing to send emails. San Diego has over 40,00 acres of park assets, 400+ parks, 57 recreational centers, 26 miles of shoreline, and 3 golf courses. Our goal is to achieve ORGANIC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy in ALL San Diego parks and schools. It’s time to put our children first.
Thank you,
Campaign Non Toxic San Diego
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Thank you very much for sharing the good news! Campaign Non Toxic San Diego appreciates your support.
Best!
Liberty Station? A Non Toxic Neighborhood?
An organic park immediately under a flight path? Huh?
A wonderland of nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc., not to mention the seriously increased risk for irreparable hearing damage, especially for children.
I’m surprised the area isn’t adorned with Prop 65 signage and various other health warnings.
What a fantastic testament to citizen activism!