For quite some time last Wednesday, Mancos Town Board Members discussed how to treat Boyle Park.
Parks and Recreation Director, Leslie Hopkins, at the direction of the board, experimented all summer with organic weed control and fertilizer.
According to Hopkins, the trouble with most of the organic weed control, which included things like vinegar, is that it killed the weeds, but that it also killed the grass.
"I would like to see the park totally organic," board member Will Stone said.
Other board members thought that it would be nearly impossible to change the way the park is managed and keep it looking as it does today.
"I've played in this park for 60 years, and I'm still here," board member Queenie Barz said of the chemicals, which Hopkins assured the board were safe.
Hopkins told the board that she usually treats the park with a weed-and-feed product every fall and that there really isn't any such thing as organic weed killer and that the organic fertilizers are expensive. Hopkins also said that she follows the directions and notifies users in the park for the few hours after application when they shouldn't be on the grass.
"So we let the park go, or we treat it with the chemicals. There has to be something in between," board member Todd Kearns said.
In the end, board members sided with board member James Maestas, who said it would be worth it to continue treating the park how it has been done in the past and research organic care for the future.
"I would hate to see us lose the field in a year," Kearns said.
Stone was unsure.
"Let it go all natural. I won't let my granddaughter play in that park," he said, because of the chemicals.
Mayor Rachael Simbeck said the item would be tabled and discussed at a future meeting when more information is available, such as cost of organic treatments and whether other towns are able to keep their grass and parks green after going totally organic.
"We want to keep the park beautiful, but want to be healthy too," Simbeck said.
Also last Wednesday, board members discussed an Oct. 25 Make a Difference Day project during which school children will paint designs on the bear safe containers around town.
Board members also approved giving money to the following organizations as part of their annual agency contributions: Senior Center, $1,400; AXIS, $500; Mancos Common Press Inc. , $1,000 and The Medicine Horse $500.
Up next: Town of Mancos Planning and Zoning Commission, Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Board members are expected to accept a letter of resignation for Marianne Griffin and appoint a new chairperson. Board members are also expected to discuss zoning on Monte Street and a Historic PReservation Workshop.
