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Montgomery Parks Integrated Pest Management Program & Pesticide Use

Flameweeding Weeds in Warning Track for Player Safety (002)
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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.

Park NamePlanned Application Date RangePlanned Application TimeArea To Be TreatedApplication Details
Brookside Gardens3/11 – 3/156:30a.m. to 3:00p.m.Aquatic Gardens, Peninsula, 40th Grove garden bedsAquaneat or Rodeo will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Brookside Gardens3/11 – 3/156:30a.m. to 3:00p.m.Woodland Walk gardenbedsAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds (lesser celandine) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Laytonia Recreational Park3/11 – 3/157:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Mulch bedsRanger Pro will be applied to invasive weeds to protect plantings.
Rock Creek Regional Park3/11 – 3/157:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Mulch bedsSnapshot will be applied to invasive weeds to prevent harm.
Columbia Local Park3/11 – 3/156:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree ringsSnapshot will be applied to broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Fairland Recreational Park3/11 – 3/156:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree ringsSnapshot will be applied to broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
South Germantown Recreational Park3/11 – 3/227:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Mulch beds and tree ringsCheetah will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Rockwood Special Park3/13 – 3/147:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Oak trees around mansionCambistat will be applied to landscape trees to support plant or turf health.
Caroline Freeland Urban Park3/13 – 3/147:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Oak trees in tree save area near Elm St.Cambistat will be applied to landscape trees to support plant or turf health.
Capital View-Homewood Local Park3/13 – 3/147:00a.m. to 2:30p.m.Oak tree in traffic islandCambistat will be applied to landscape tree to support plant or turf health.
Brookside Gardens3/18 – 3/206:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.Landscape beds, fence line at Glenallan Avenue and Conservatory parking lotAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Kemp Mill Urban Park3/18 – 3/228:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.PondsSeClear will be applied to filamentous algae to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Brookside Gardens3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Camellia Garden, Azalea Garden 1-6 landscape bedsAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to protect plantings.
Gene Lynch Urban Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.Hornbeams (landscape trees)Baseline will be applied to Ambrosia beetles to protect plantings.
Gene Lynch Urban Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.Hornbeams (landscape trees)Xytect will be applied to flathead borers to protect plantings.
Laytonsville Local Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Sundown Road Local Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Unity Neighborhood Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Rachel Carson Conservation Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Laytonia Recreational Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Laytonia Recreational Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsSnapshot will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Rock Creek Regional Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsSnapshot will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Rock Creek Regional Park3/18 – 3/227:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Landscape bedsRanger Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to prevent harm.
Northwest Branch Recreational Park3/18 – 3/296:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Landscape tree rings throughout parkSnapshot will be applied to broadleaf weeds to support plant or turf health.
Woodlawn Manor Historic House Property3/18 – 3/296:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Landscape bedsSnapshot will be applied to broadleaf weeds to support plant or turf health.
Columbia Local Park3/18 – 3/296:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Player benches on field 3Finalsan will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds for player safety.
Little Bennett Regional Park3/18 – 3/297:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Floodplain on north side of Little Bennett Creek, east of Hyattstown Mill BridgeAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Locust Grove Nature Center3/18 – 3/297:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Meadow area between parking lot and Democracy BoulevardTransline will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Little Bennett Regional Park3/18 – 3/297:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Along Purdum Trail in the deer enclosure area in northeastern part of the parkAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds (Barberry, Multiflora rose, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Brookside Gardens3/207:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Turf areasSonewall 13-0-0 will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to support plant or turf health.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park3/24 – 4/66:30a.m. to 4:00p.m.Stone walkwaysProsecutor Pro will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Germantown Town Center Urban Park3/24 – 4/66:30a.m. to 4:00p.m.Stone walkwaysSureguard will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Brookside Gardens3/25 – 3/278:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Service Hill 3 Bio-SwalesSnapshot will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Laytonia Recreational Park3/25 – 3/297:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Baseball field 1Dimension .15% will be applied to annual grass weeds to protect plantings.
South Germantown Recreational Park3/277:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.PondSeclear or Captain XTR will be applied to algae to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park3/277:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Pond shorelineAquaneat, Diquat Herbicide, Komeen or Flumigard will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Woodstock Equestrian Special Park4/1 – 4/127:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Along Big Woods Loop Trail and powerline right-of-wayAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Little Bennett Regional Park4/1 – 4/127:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Floodplain on north side of Little Bennett Creek, east of Hyattstown Mill BridgeAquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Little Bennett Regional Park4/1 – 4/127:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Forested area oin south side of western piedmont trail, adjacent to woodcock viewing area/meadow Aquaneat will be applied to invasive weeds (Bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
North Germantown Greenway Stream Valley Park Unit 14/1 – 4/127:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Forested area on north side of paved hiking/biking trailTransline will be applied to invasive weeds (Bittersweet, Bush Honeysuckle, autumn olive, Japanese honeysuckle, etc.) to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
Columbia Local Park4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsGlyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Northwest Branch Recreational Park4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsGlyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
Fairland Recreational Park4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsGlyphosate Pro will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to protect plantings.
South Germantown Mni Golf/Splash Playground4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsCheetah will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
South Germantown Recreational Park4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsCheetah will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect amenities and infrastructure.
Woodlawn Cultural Special Park4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsGlyphosate Pro will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect plantings.
Olney Manor Recreational Park 4/1 – 4/126:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.Tree rings and landscape bedsGlyphosate Pro will be applied to all grasses and weeds to protect plantings.
Brookside Gardens4/2 – 4/57:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.Planting beds (Gude Garden)Aquaneat will be applied to selective grass and broadleaf weeds to maintain proper function.
Brookside Gardens4/2 – 4/57:00a.m. to 9:00a.m.Woodland WalkAquaneat will be applied to lesser celandine to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park4/37:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.PondSeclear or Captain XTR will be applied to algae to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.
South Germantown Recreational Park4/37:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.Pond shorelineAquaneat, Diquat Herbicide, Komeen or Flumigard will be applied to invasive weeds to restore habitat and protect ecosystem.

*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.

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.

Please contact Montgomery Parks if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions