Integrated Pest Management is a problem-solving approach to landscape and building management designed to prevent and control undesirable bacteria, fungi, insects, rodents and weeds.  IPM relies on the use of site-specific information about environmental conditions and the dynamics of human characteristics and activities, and pest biology and behavior to prevent, resist and control pests that interfere with the purpose and use of a specific site.  When a pest has exceeded a pre-determined threshold at a particular site, all appropriate pest control strategies are employed, including modifying the habitat, modifying maintenance practices, modifying user behavior, and, if all else fails, using pesticides as a last resort, and only within specific guidelines for least-toxic selection and use.  [From Newton’s Integrated Pest Management Policy that can be found https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=48965].  For more information please refer to the City of Newton IPM Policy and IPM Procedures.

Conditions on athletic fields have deteriorated greatly due in large part to weed infestation. The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is working to address as many of the causes of poor quality of turfgrass as possible and herbicides is our last resort as part of our IPM program to improve the playability of athletic fields in Newton.

Yes these products are safe when applied in accordance with the product specimen label.  All herbicides are applied by a certified licensed professional. Newton has specifically defined IPM procedures for an application that are in addition to state and federal regulations. Each herbicide has been selected to target a specific set of pests.

In small quantities, weeds pose few issues on an athletic field.  Unfortunately, weeds are prolific seed producers and they are also “engineered” to thrive in a wider range of conditions than turfgrass.  Many weed species produce over 100,000 seeds per year.  As weeds spread through an athletic field a vicious cycle is created. The more the weeds spread, the more seeds are produced and the harder it becomes for the turfgrass to compete and be healthy.  Weed cover degrades the quality of play.

The Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is only treating each athletic field and its surrounding area. The athletic field is the area where athletes play. We are not treating the open space grass areas or mulch beds.  At Cabot Park the area to be treated is approximately 13% of the entire site.  At Forte Park the area to be treated is approximately 33% of the entire site.  At New Cold Springs Park the area to be treated is approximately 19% of the entire site.  At Warren House Park the area to be treated is approximately 54% of the entire site.  At Weeks Park the area to be treated is approximately 33% of the entire site.

The Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is responsible for hundreds of locations and hundreds of acres. These locations vary and include athletic fields, cemeteries, city buildings, parks, playgrounds, schools and traffic islands. At the majority of our locations, weeds are either removed by hand-pulling or by using tools. We do not use Roundup to control weeds. We use herbicides at four to five athletic fields per year only when they have exceeded our IPM pest threshold. Regular monitoring of athletic fields will determine and document pest thresholds.  An assessment will be performed to determine if a second herbicide application is necessary.  The expectation is that the reduction in weeds combined with increased turfgrass management will improve turf quality enough that future applications are not required for several years.  Continued turfgrass management should result in healthy turf that will greatly reduce the ability for weeds to germinate.

Newton has specific IPM procedures for the use of all pesticides.  Our plan involves applying herbicides when school is not in session (late June – late August). Notices will be mailed in advance to all abutters who live adjacent to these parks, in addition to the signs posted at each site.  The treated fields will be closed for 48 hours following the application to ensure the safety of all people and pets.  If weed populations continue to exceed IPM thresholds, the City may apply a second broadcast herbicide treatment or spot spray herbicide treatment.  Our IPM webpage and new site notifications will alert residents to a second treatment.  The City will only send out the initial notification letter and will only host one zoom meeting.

The Conservation Commission has regulatory authority over land within 100 feet of wetlands or within 200 feet of perennial streams.

Neonicotinoids shall not be used within Conservation Commission jurisdiction because of their adverse effects on pollinators.

Conservation Commission approval for the application of herbicides and pesticides must be sought in either of these cases:

1. Application outside of established grassy athletic field or grassy park areas.
2. Any of the following locations: Zervas School, Albemarle Fields, Mason Rice School, Newton Centre Playground and Countryside School.

The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is committed to providing more playable athletic fields. Part of our year one IPM plan is to only apply Q4 Plus for broadleaf weed control at New Cold Springs. We recognize the importance of being proactive to protect the surrounding ecosystem. Each year we contact the Planning Department to ensure compliance with all Conservation Commission regulations.