Chicago Park District Proudly Spotlights the Sprouting of Dandelions in Parks Citywide as a Sign of Its Commitment to Limit the Use of Pesticides

If you see dandelions growing in parks its signifies that the lawn is healthy and safe for play

Each spring, park patrons may see dandelions growing in their neighborhood parks throughout Chicago, signifying a chemical free park safe for play. The Chicago Park District continues its longstanding natural lawn care initiative to limit its use of pesticides and offer park visitors safer and healthier parks.

In an effort to minimize impact on our visitor's health and the environment, close to 90 percent of Chicago parks avoid spraying weed control chemicals.

"As green stewards of nearly 9,000 acres of public land, the Park District strives to keep our parks a healthy place for everyone to enjoy," said General Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. "We hope all Chicago residents follow our example and use organic lawn care techniques to keep their lawns safe for everyone to use, and pledge to advocate for the need to protect the Earth's natural resources."

Following organic lawn care basics, the Park District is committed to creating healthy places for the public to visit by limiting the use of pesticides and keeping the grass three inches high. This allows the roots to grow strong and access water deep in the ground. As a result, the taller grass naturally shades out some weeds. The Park District manages pesky dandelions naturally using scheduled mowing and reminds the public that the sight of dandelions indicates a safe space for all park patrons to play.

The Park District invites park visitors to contribute to healthy environmental efforts by following four simple and cost-effective tips to enjoy a beautiful yard that is safe for children, pets and pollinators.

Four Organic Lawn Care Tips

• Water Deeply and Infrequently: This encourages deep root growth. Aim for one inch per week. You can easily measure that amount by placing a cup in your yard while watering. You're done watering for the week when the cup fills one inch deep. Water early in the morning to minimize disease problems.
• Mow High: Keep your lawn mowed at three inches or higher. This increases root strength and naturally shades out weeds, so your grass withstands drought and stays green longer. Don't mow unless needed.
• Use Organic Fertilizer: Commercial fertilizers easily wash away, polluting nearby lakes and streams. Many contain toxic weed killers. Choose an organic fertilizer to capture and deliver nutrients in the lawn throughout the growing season. Keep grass clippings on the lawn as they provide an excellent natural fertilizer.
• Weed Naturally: Proper lawn care maintenance naturally eliminates most weeds. Annual reseeding gives grass an advantage over weeds. Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm other beneficial living things such as bees, birds and fish. The right tool makes quick work of weeding. After pulling weeds, use grass seed and soil to fill in the hole. Your grass will grow strong and healthy as a result.