Prince George's Will Not Apply Pesticides In Nearly 400 Playgrounds, Parks And Dog Parks

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation have completed steps to make all 249 county playgrounds, dog parks and 132 of its parks now pesticide-free as a part of its mission to conserve and protect natural spaces and species.

The department of parks and recreation said it's aiming to reduce its environmental impact by implementing more sustainable efforts and initiatives. The department intends to increase the use of manual, mechanical and organic means to control pests. It also will reduce the number of ornamental landscape beds that can help decrease the need for pesticides.

The department also has launched a 48-hour pesticide prenotification requirement for all pesticide applications on parkland that will be available on the new integrated pest management and sustainability website. The site also will list parks that are pesticide free at Integrated Pest Management Program and Pesticide Use.