Ocean City Goes Green at Some Parks

OCEAN CITY – After years of advocacy from resident Donna Moore, Ocean City is ready to try her suggestion of organic practices on some city properties.
On April 9, city officials approved a resolution on the maintenance of city-owned grounds.
“Eight of the 35 locations will be maintained through organic management practice, fulfilling the city’s commitment on this particular matter,” said City Administrator George Savastano.
Officials have said they would try to maintain some properties without artificial fertilizers or chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Among the properties to get the organic treatment will be the city dog park at 45th Street, a park that once served as a gas station on Ninth Street, the Bayside Center at Fifth Street and Bay Avenue and the site of the former City Hall Annex on Asbury Avenue, now a downtown grassy plot called Mark Soifer Park.
Attending the meeting remotely, Moore welcomed the decision.
“I am hoping that we can include more parcels and organic land management in the future,” she said, possibly by the next year. She noted the resolution was for a three-year contract and asked if it could be amended to add more organic practices if the city decided to do so.
She did not get an answer at the meeting, which was held remotely, but council members said city officials would get back to her.
The total contract comes in at $60,513, going to A. Guzzo Landscaping LLC.