PRESS RELEASE
A weed abatement project began last week at Washoe County’s Anderson Park, employing the use of goats to control the weeds on the trails. The project runs from July 25th through August 15th. Access to some of the park’s trails will be affected during the project.
“We’re using nature’s weed-eaters to combat the weeds along the trails this summer,” said Washoe County Park Ranger Andy Brown. “It’s a different approach to weed control compared to the conventional methods used, and the goats will be a lot of fun to watch.
“This section of the trail is normally difficult to access this time of year, due to the weed growth. In years past, we’ve resorted to mowing and spraying the weeds with herbicide. Goats have not been tried before, we’re hopeful that it will have a positive effect.”
Goat Grazers, a local company specializing in using goats for the clearing of defensible space and fuels reduction, has been contracted to provide the animals for the project. Funding for the project was made possible with grant funding from the Nevada Land Trust.
About one-half mile of the trail will be closed from the Yoakam Lane entrance to the junction west of the Bonde Lane entrance. Trail users will continue to have access from one end of the park to the other.
The closure will not affect access from Anderson Park to neighboring Bartley Ranch Regional Park. Park rangers urge the public to continue to observe the park’s leash requirement while walking their pets through the area.
Anderson Park is managed by the Washoe County Community Services Department. For more information, visit www.washoecountyparks.com.
