Integrated Pest Management Program and Pesticide Use
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland including 420 parks, 275 playgrounds, 362 athletic fields, and many other amenities. The Department follows Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to steward resources and protect them from pests (weeds, insects, animals, and diseases) that may harm people or plants, impair function, and deteriorate infrastructure. IPM means managing pests by combining multiple strategies and techniques such as mechanical removal of pests, cultural methods to improve soil and plant health, conserving and introducing beneficial biological controls, and using pesticides.
The Parks Department does not use pesticides for cosmetic purposes. Pesticides are used as a last resort to control noxious and invasive pests, maintain safe and playable athletic fields and courts, and prevent significant economic damage, including degradation of park infrastructure.
Staff who apply pesticides and fertilizers are certified and registered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Montgomery Parks is committed to balancing the demand for recreation while protecting and conserving our valuable natural and cultural resources to meet the needs of current and future generations.
What is Montgomery County Code 33B?
County Code Chapter 33B went into effect July 1, 2016. The code presents guidelines for pesticide use in Montgomery County, including on county property and parkland. The goal of the code “is to inform the public about pesticide applications and minimize the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, while not restricting the ability to use pesticides in agriculture, for the protection of public health, or for other public benefits.” Learn more about Montgomery County’s pesticide law.
What is Montgomery Parks doing to comply with the law?
Montgomery Parks continues to implement IPM strategies to ensure pesticides are used as a last resort. Montgomery Parks manages all playgrounds, community gardens and common lawn areas within local parks without the use of pesticides. In 2016, Montgomery Parks designated ten pesticide-free parks. In 2019, the program expanded to 45 pesticide-free parks and in 2022, the program expanded further to include 55 pesticide-free parks. To manage pests in parks that are designated pesticide-free, staff use alternative methods, such as hot foam, string trimming, mechanical weed removal, and products approved for use by Montgomery County Code 33B. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection examples of products allowed in pesticide-free parks under the law.
The below table includes a schedule of upcoming pesticide applications.* The list is updated to provide at least 48-hour notice for applications.
*Montgomery Parks staff make every effort to notify the community on this webpage when a pesticide application is scheduled in a public area. Dates of applications may change or be canceled due to weather; also, occasional emergency applications may be needed.
| Park Name | Planned Application Date Range | Planned Application Time | Area To Be Treated | Application Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown Town Center Urban Park | 3/24 – 4/6 | 6:30a.m. to 4:00p.m. | Stone walkways | Prosecutor Pro will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Germantown Town Center Urban Park | 3/24 – 4/6 | 6:30a.m. to 4:00p.m. | Stone walkways | Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| North Germantown Greenway Stream Valley Park Unit 1 | 4/1 – 4/12 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Forested area on north side of paved hiking/biking trail | Pathfinder II will be applied to invasive weeds (Bittersweet, Bush Honeysuckle, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Columbia Local Park | 4/1 – 4/12 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Glyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings. |
| South Germantown Mni Golf/Splash Playground | 4/1 – 4/12 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Cheetah will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| South Germantown Recreational Park | 4/1 – 4/12 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Cheetah will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Brookside Gardens | 4/2 – 4/5 | 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. | Planting beds (Gude Garden) | Aquaneat will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to maintain proper function. |
| Brookside Gardens | 4/2 – 4/5 | 7:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. | Woodland Walk | Aquaneat will be applied to lesser celandine to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| South Germantown Recreational Park | 4/3 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Pond | Seclear or Captain XTR will be applied to algae to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| South Germantown Recreational Park | 4/3 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Pond shoreline | Aquaneat, Diquat Herbicide, Komeen or Flumigard will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park | 4/3 – 4/15 | 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m | Meadow, reforestation area | Garlon 3A and Pathfinder will be applied to invasive weeds to support field renovation. |
| Brookside Gardens | 4/8 – 4/12 | 6:30a.m. to 3:30p.m | Landscape beds and wooded areas (Peninsula, creek bank by the Aquatic Gardens, wooded areas by Conservatory parking lot, Fern Gate, Upper Aquatic pond bank) | Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Black Hill Regional Park | 4/8 – 4/19 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m | Hillside meadow behind the nature center | Transline will be applied to invasive weeds (mugwort) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Northwest Branch Recreational Park | 4/8 – 4/19 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Glyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings. |
| Fairland Recreational Park | 4/8 – 4/19 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Glyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings. |
| Olney Manor Recreational Park | 4/8 – 4/19 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Glyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings. |
| Woodlawn Cultural Special Park | 4/15 – 4/19 | 6:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Tree rings and landscape beds | Glyphosate Pro will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect plantings. |
| Brookside Gardens | 4/15 – 4/19 | 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m | Planting beds (Gude Garden) | Aquaneat will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings. |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Park | 4/15 – 4/19 | 6:00a.m. to 11:00a.m | Soccer field 3 | Tribute Total will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds for player safety. |
| Capital View-Homewood Local Park | 4/15 – 4/19 | 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Oak tree in parking lot | Cambistat will be applied to the landscape tree to support plant or turf health. |
| Little Bennett Regional Park | 4/15 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m | Along Western Piedmont Trail, near second large bridge from Hyattstown Mill | Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Bennett Creek Conservation Park | 4/15 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m | Meadow area off Rt. 27 (area to the north of the grassy trail) | Pathfinder II and Garlon 3A and/or Roundup Custom will be applied to invasive weeds (bush honeysuckle, bittersweet, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| North Germantown Greenway Stream Valley Park | 4/15 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m | Meadow area behine homes along Fox Field Circle and Red Admiral Way | Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (Autumn olive and other woody invasives) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Woodstock Equestrian Special Park | 4/15 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Along Big Woods Loop Trail and powerline right-of-way | Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Little Bennett Regional Park | 4/15 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Floodplain on north side of Little Bennett Creek, east of Hyattstown Mill Bridge | Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Germantown Town Center Urban Park | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Paver pathways, steps | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Germantown Square Urban Park | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Tree ring beds, flagstone pathway | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings. |
| Clarkmont Local Park | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Landscape beds | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings. |
| Darby Store Cultural Park | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Landscape beds | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings. |
| Woodstock Equestrian Special Park | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Back fence | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Seneca Valley Stream Valley Park Unit 1 | 4/15 – 4/27 | 6:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Chain link fencelines | Prosecutor Sureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Brookside Gardens | 4/22 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. | Permanent planting beds (Viburnum Garden, Gude Garden) | Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| Agricultural History Farm Park | 4/22 – 4/26 | 7:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. | Historic fencing, around buildings | Ranger Pro will be applied to broadleaf weeds to suppress plant growth. |
| Little Bennett Regional Park | 4/22 – 5/3 | 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. | Hyattstown Mill Bridge area on both sides of Hyattstown Mill Road/Western Piedmont Trail | Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds (Lesser celandine) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| Northwest Branch Stream Valley Unit 3 | 4/22 – 5/3 | 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. | Meadow area between gas line right-of-way and border with stream valley units 3 and 4 | Garlon 3A will be applied to invasive weeds (Autumn olive, Multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, Wineberry, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem. |
| South Germantown Recreational Park | 4/22 – 5/3 | 6:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. | Tree rings, mulch beds along roadway and central park area | Cheetah will be applied to weeds and grasses to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
| South Germantown Montgomery TennisPlex Property | 4/22 – 5/3 | 6:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. | Tree rings, mulch beds | Cheetah will be applied to weeds and grasses to protect amenities and infrastructure. |
On-site Signage Procedures:
- White prenotification signs are placed in advance of an application to playing fields, managed turf and treatments within 25 feet of a stream or creek. The signs list the planned application date, product, and the reason for the application.
- Yellow signs are installed at the site at the time of application and remain in place at least 48 hours following the pesticide application. For more information, call the phone number listed on the back of the sign.