Freeholders’ Resolution Makes Parks, Playgrounds ‘Pesticide Free’

CREST HAVEN – The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders passed a resolution Aug. 14 designating Pesticide Free Zones at its parks and playgrounds.
The resolution authorizes placing Pesticide Free Zones (PFZ) Ladybug signs at designated sites in its parks and playgrounds as part of an awareness campaign that the county hopes will encourage municipalities and private homeowners to adopt pest control practices that are consistent with the county’s.
“Recognizing the importance of protecting the health of humans, wildlife and the environment, the board with the input and support of residents, the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Environmental Federation formulated a pest management policy that we believe to be the safest and most economically and environmentally sound for the county,” stated Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel in a release.
This new resolution is meant to reinforce and support a 1992 resolution passed by the board that established the county’s Integrated Pest Management policy that provides a program encompassing a variety of practices that reduce using traditional pesticides and as an alternative use biorational control to minimize negative effects.
“We believe the county’s Integrated Pest Management policy has been responsive in ensuring that pesticide use is restricted at recreational areas at county parks and playgrounds, however, by formally designating certain areas as pesticide free we hope to bring more awareness to our efforts,” Beyel added.