Some of the world’s most famous parks, including Central Park in New York City and Grant Park in Chicago are about to get a green upgrade with the announcement that yogurt brand Stonyfield Organic is sponsoring the transition of these parks to pesticide-free areas.
As part of the StonyFIELDS initiative, all pesticide use will be eliminated from the parks in favor of regenerative, organic cultivation. Both major parks are expected to be completely organically maintained by 2025.
Nearly 70 percent of parents report limiting their children’s exposure to pesticides by buying organic, but far few think about the impact that pesticides have in parks, sports fields, and other public areas. Unfortunately, 65 percent of public sports fields are sprayed with harmful chemicals like glyphosate, 4-D, and Dicamba.
Through the project, the organization partners with local communities to implement organic grounds management that will boost sustainability and longevity of these treasured outdoor spaces. In addition to case-by-case green upgrades, the initiative is also working to pass the “Intro 1524” bill in New York City that would prohibit city agencies from applying toxic pesticides to any property owned or leased by the city.
Central Park is the most notable project StonyFIELDS has embarked on, but they’ve already completed 35 other organic transitions and have even more slated for the future. Other parks scheduled for an organic upgrade include Jordan Park in Allentown, PA, Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA, and fields in Matthews, NC.
If you have a local park you want StonyFIELDS to green up, you can submit it for consideration here!
