We need to maintain the city of Durango’s current organic parks program and expand it as we go forward into 2017. I especially believe in Mayor Christina Rinderle and Councilors Dean Brookie and Dick White for their ability to make a defining change for health in the landscapes that serve our residents and, most importantly, the parks that serve our children.
In a recent poll conducted by the Durango Herald, a large majority of our local population expressed interest in keeping the organics parks program and expanding it.
Because of the potential risks with using chemical herbicides, it makes the most sense to stop spraying all parks with playgrounds and our parks near waterways. The labeling of pesticides used by the company that is contracted by the city has warning labels about the proximity of children after its application.
Fanto Park, Needham Elementary and Folsom Park must be retained in the program. There is a specific warning from the EPA about 2,4-D saying that adverse affects have been noted when these chemicals enter our water-systems.
As a soil science student from Fort Lewis College and a local health care practitioner, I submit this letter for the simple awareness of what we are unconsciously doing to adversely affect our health. Now that we know better than to create these long-term deleterious effects on our own wellbeing, let’s pioneer this great change with City Hall together.
There is so much local support, and with the willingness of the Parks and Recreation Department Director and the City Manager, we can make Durango an outstanding model for a vibrant, healthy community.
Tyler VanGemert
Durango
