Vegetation Management In City Parks

An integrated approach to vegetation management

The Parks & Recreation Department manages over 4,275 acres of public lands for parks, trails, conservation lands, and landscaped right-of-ways, with new lands and facilities being added nearly every year. Through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the department manages pests that are detrimental to the health, function, or aesthetic value of parks in an effective and environmentally responsible manner, with utmost consideration for public and employee safety. Thoughtful, timely, and selective use of herbicides is just one tool of many used to maintain parklands. Learn more in the Parks and Recreation Turf Management Plan (PDF).

Fast Facts About Weed Control In City Parks

• In all City parks, herbicides are NOT used in or on picnic shelters, playgrounds, volleyball courts, splash decks, or other water sources.
• Parks and Recreation exceeds legal requirements by posting areas to be treated 24 hours before application and 24 hours after application. Multiple signs are used to mark treated areas.
• Thoughtful, timely, and selective use of herbicides is just one tool of many used to maintain parklands.
• Weed control on City Open Space

Herbicide-Free Parks and FAQ

At the request of citizens, Parks and Recreation has designated certain parks as herbicide-free public spaces (PDF) These parks contain lower levels of weed infestation, allowing Parks staff to maintain the parks’ desirable turf grasses with manual techniques.

All playgrounds, dog parks, and spray deck areas are herbicide-free.

Herbicide-free parks will rotate annually, based on an annual weed inventory of the park system, park maintenance costs, protection of park infrastructure, and public input. 

Current Year Herbicide-Free Parks

Herbicide Reduction in Parks Pilot Project

• In addition to the herbicide-free parks list, the City of Missoula is piloting an effort to expand herbicide-free vegetation management across the park system, prioritizing community health and safety.
• Industry leaders are providing training and consultation to help Parks and Recreation successfully transition to natural and organic turf management methods.  
• An existing pilot program at McCormick Park has demonstrated the benefits of managing turf organically without pesticides since 2019.
• Parks and Recreation has requested funding to convert three additional parks containing or adjacent to community gardens to herbicide-free management in the next fiscal year.
• The City aims to steadily increase the number of herbicide-free parks each year, reducing pesticide use and involving community support through volunteering and advocacy.