Pesticide Free Zones
Neptune Township, April 2007
Neptune, NJ-Township Mayor James Manning, Jr., Neptune Township Environmental Commission and the NJ Environmental Federation gathered at the Bradley Park Playground to declare that designated parks and playgrounds in Neptune Twp will be declared as "Pesticide Free Zones."
According to Neptune Township Mayor James Manning, Jr. the integrated pest management policy for the township identifies key sensitive areas like the city parks to be managed without harmful chemical pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) calls for the management of insects, undesired plants, and plant diseases with tools that are least likely to impact human health or the environment.
"I commend the Neptune Township Environmental/Shade Tree Commission for being proactive and supportive of the pesticide free park initiative", said Mayor James Manning, Jr. "I am proud to say that every time you see the ladybug signs in our parks, many of which have been recently upgraded, it means you can be rest assured that they are pesticide free".
"The Neptune Township Environmental Commission is very pleased to announce, on this Earth Day, this renewed resolution on IPM," said Richard Ambrosio, Chair of Neptune Twp Environmental Commission. "This reinforces the Township's previous commitment to reduce its pesticide use. Since IPM is now the law on all New Jersey school grounds, it makes perfect sense to try to expand it to all public property as well. We're here today to help spread the word and to encourage individual homeowners to consider reducing or eliminating their own pesticide use".
According to Jenny Vickers, Communications Coordinator for the NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF), New Jersey uses about 4 million pounds of pesticides annually for lawn care, mosquito control, agricultural production and golf course maintenance. "We especially want to protect children because they are closer to pesticide applications on the ground. In addition, they are still developing and absorb more pesticides than adults," Vickers said.
Fortunately, alternatives exists that are cost effective and friendly to the environment, simple things like hand pulling weeds, mulching areas properly to prevent weeds, planting native plants that don't get insect problems, and reducing or eliminating lawns to cut down on the need for watering, fertilizing and mowing.
"NJEF is proud of Neptune Township's commitment to making its parks pesticide free," said Jenny Vickers, Communications Coordinator for NJ Environmental Federation. "We need residents to do their part in reducing pesticides in our environment and keeping our air, water and land safe from toxic chemicals. "Residents can participate by making their own property a "Pesticide Free Zone," said Vickers.
Neptune Township joins other communities which have designated Pesticide Free Zones in parks including Brick Township, Chatham, Hazlet, Irvington, Ocean City, Pine Beach, Wall and the County of Burlington.
Other Neptune Twp. Parks that carry the PFZ ladybug sign include: Bert Willis Playground, Sunshine Village Playground, Hillview Playground, Monroe Ave. Playground, W. Lake Ave. Playground, Summerfield Playground, Division St. Playground, Ocean Grove Playground, Memorial Playground, and Pittenger Playground.
