Princeton urged to go ‘pesticide-free’ in parks

Recreation Department cites concerns over expense of alternative products

By: Courtney Gross
   The New Jersey Environmental Federation wants Princeton Township and Princeton Borough to participate in a new pesticide-free parks program.
   The program, accepted by eight municipalities throughout the state and one county, would take Princeton’s 13-year-old integrated pest management procedures to the next level by eradicating pesticides and herbicides completely from certain parks, such as those with playgrounds or near waterways, federation Pesticide Program Coordinator Jane Nogaki said.
   "If anybody can do this, Princeton can," Ms. Nogaki said. "They have the longstanding commitment."
   Although Princeton was the first municipality in the state to join the initial integrated pest management program, which includes a pledge that participating municipalities use as little pesticide as possible, some officials hesitated to endorse the federation’s new campaign citing expense and aesthetics.
   "What I’ve said to the Environmental Commission and what we’ve committed to at playgrounds in the Recreation Department, we are going to attempt to make this all pesticide-free," Recreation Department Executive Director Jack Roberts said.
   But, he continued, at times you cannot prevent a detrimental infestation in parks, and the department must then use pesticides, even minimally, to strengthen the grass and keep the year-round facilities safe.
   Under the new program, the department would have the option of using organic materials that can be as effective as traditional pesticides. But, recreation officials said, that can get costly.
   On average, Recreation Department Assistant Director Ted Ernst said, the department spends an average of $20,000 annually on fertilization and pesticide programs for all of Princeton’s parks. Usually, he added, the department fertilizes four times a year, but applies pesticides on an as-needed basis.
   In comparison, when the department had to use organic products for a single application in 2006 it cost over $20,000, Mr. Ernst said.
   Currently the integrated management program endorsed by the borough, the township and the Princeton Regional School District in 1994 ensures all participants will use the "best practices" when fertilizing and use materials that are the least hazardous to the environment.
   Part of the proposed program includes signage naming pesticide free zones in each designated park, which Mayor Phyllis Marchand said would take away from the tranquil atmosphere of the area.
   "I support the pesticide-free environment, which Princeton Township has been on the forefront," Mayor Marchand said. "But to advertise that in a park that is supposed to be a beautiful and active place" could be counterproductive.
   To evaluate the possibility of the pesticide free program, Mr. Ernst said the department has requested contractors slated to conduct Princeton’s fertilization program include price quotes for pesticide programs and organic programs when bidding this year. The department should be receiving the contract bids later this month.
   In the meantime, some Princeton officials, who are backed by the Princeton Environmental Commission, are considering which parks or sites should be designated as "pesticide-free" zones.
   "The Environmental Commission would like to encourage people to use less chemicals," Borough Councilwoman Barbara Trelstad said. "It’s something we would like to officially get the Township Committee and the Borough Council to endorse."