Look Park, Northhampton Transitions to a Pesticide-Free Land Care Management Strategy

Project Details

Year: 2011
Location: Northampton
Project Manager: Bernadette Giblin, Lead Project Consultant & Greg Malynoski, Grant Project Manager
Partners: Safeground Organic Landcare

Overview

Team members of Look Memorial Park transitioned 35,000 square feet of lawn to organic management. They involved students from the Smith Vocational School in Northampton, conducted workshops, presented at public events and worked toward creating a town pesticide policy or bylaw.

Results

Look Memorial Park presented during three workshops: NOFA Statewide Organic Lawn Day, ELA Successful Ecological Turf, and Smith Vocational High School Student Green Jobs Training.  Brochures and materials were available and handed out at numerous locations, including the Visitors Center and Friends of the Park Fundraiser.  Signage, specifically a banner and "Did You Know" information, was installed along the Pines and walking path of the park.  They also received citation from their area State Senator Stan Rosenberg in recognition of the project. 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Park, they have extended their schedule of events beyond the grant period and hold workshops into the Fall. 

They also reached out to Ecological Landscape Association and collaborated on a workshop that brought them in touch with the Master Gardener's of Western Mass.  As a result of the project, support was also gained by the Grow Food Northampton Community for organic lawn demonstrations and legislation locally. 

Please visit their website for more information