Natural Turf Management Pilot Project
Healthy Communities Project is partnering with the Village of Whitefish Bay, WI, and Earthcare Natural Lawn and Landscapes to conduct a three-year natural turf management pilot project at three Whitefish Bay locations: School House Park on Birch Avenue and Marlborough Avenue, Buckley Park on Lake Drive just south of Palisades Avenue, and the Santa Monica Boulevard medians from Silver Spring Drive to Montclaire Avenue.
The Village of Whitefish Bay has traditionally treated these areas with pesticides as the primary means of weed control. For the purposes of this project, Earthcare Natural Lawn and Landscapes (project contractor) uses natural turf management techniques that are being successfully implemented in both the United States and Canada to restore soil fertility and create healthy, self-sustaining turf that will require less maintenance over time. In addition, these areas provide pesticide-free zones for residents who wish to avoid pesticide exposure.
Funding for this project has been generously provided by the Village of Whitefish Bay. The project began in the spring of 2007 and will continue through the fall of 2009.