Golfing Is Good To “Goat” at Eastmoreland Course: Grass-munching, natural lawnmowers return to work

(Portland, Oregon) -

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is pleased to announce the return of an environmentally friendly vegetation control system: a herd of goats which are temporarily taking up residence at Eastmoreland Golf Course, part of the five courses in the Portland Parks Golfsystem.

The 13^th hole at Eastmoreland features a ravine which bisects the par-5 fairway, overgrown weeds on its steep banks. To manage the issue without herbicides or heavy machinery, PP&R and golf management firm KemperSports contracted local goat-renting professionals, GoGoatOregon, for the second straight year. Starting Monday, September 8, 2025, 10 goats and one llama (named Rain) began munching the weeds and trimming the greens at Eastmoreland hole 13. They're expected to be on site for an estimated two to three weeks, clearing out invasive clematis, blackberry bushes, English ivy, and anything else munchable.

"Last year we saw the llama deter a curious coyote," says John Ball, Portland Parks & Recreation Interim Director of Golf. "He and the goats exceeded my expectations. They are having a great time eating all the leaves and they are super cute. It's awesome watching them work."

Ball says he came up with the idea when the United States Golf Association (USGA) did a course consultation at Eastmoreland in July 2024. A partnership with GoGoatOregon was a natural fit for this natural area management.

"We talked about management and strategy for that challenging ravine, and the USGA representative said, 'What about goats?' And I thought this was genius. No need for chemicals or equipment and it was a chance for a popular, highly visible part of the course to be maintained effectively."

Goats are effective for this sort of project, and eco-friendly. The herd helps to further the environmental stewardshipthat is a core part of Portland Parks Golf philosophy and practices.

About Portland Parks Golf

Portland Parks Golf has been meeting the recreation and golf needs of the Portland community since 1918 and has a long history of holding various high-profile golf events, including four USGA national championships.

In fiscal year 2024, over 275,000 rounds were played on Portland Parks Golf courses. We are proud to offer lessons by trained golf professionals, meeting and hospitality facilities for public and private events and tournaments at each of our properties.

Portland Parks Golf is an enterprise fund. It covers its operating costs with user fees paid by public golfers and no tax dollars. Revenue which exceeds costs is placed in the golf fund. The reserve in the golf fund supports future capital projects and helps mitigate negative impacts to revenue, like poor weather.

Over forty full-time and part-time City employees maintain the five Portland Parks Golf courses. An addition, more than 260 people work for the clubhouse contractors in the pro shops, restaurants, and driving ranges.

Please note that dogs should not be brought onto Portland Parks Golf courses.

Environmental Stewardship

Portland's golf courses play a crucial role in achieving the City's Climate Action Plan by delivering ecosystem services, such as improving air and water quality, providing wildlife habitat. The open spaces provided by the golf courses host a diverse range of native species, from great blue herons and salmon to native grasses and legacy trees.

Portland's public golf courses, covering over 800 acres of green space within our metro area, serve to filter and absorb a vast amount of stormwater, which mitigates local impacts from climate change.

All Portland Parks Golf courses are Salmon-Safe certified, meaning they achieve strict standards to protect the health of our City's watersheds and restore salmon habitat. Learn more at salmonsafe.org.

Both Heron Lakes and Eastmoreland golf courses are certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, enhancing the important urban wildlife habitats that golf courses provide. Learn more at auduboninternational.org/acsp-for-golf.

Portland Parks Golf courses host managed bee hives, promoting pollination, and collaborate with Columbia Slough Watershed Council to seed new pollinator patches at Heron Lakes.

Portland Parks Golf maintenance practices include the innovative Greenway Program, that when fully implemented, can reduce chemical input by as much as 75%.

All courses follow PP&R Integrated Pest Management Program and City of Portland Urban Forestry best practices.

Heron Lakes was named in honor of the heron rookery that thrives on-site.

Portland Parks Golf is honored to partner with impactful, local non-profits, including:

• Columbia Slough Watershed Council
• Johnson Creek Watershed Council
• Crystal Springs Partnership
• Salmon-Safe
• Portland Audubon Society
• Oregon Bee Project

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