Letter: Chemical concerns at dog park

EDITOR,
Today I went for a jaunt with my friend at the much appreciated Scotts Valley dog park, only to find a horrifying situation. As a gardener, I am familiar with the signs of herbicide use, particularly the most toxic chemical available, Roundup. My dogs immediately ran to the exterior perimeter grass and began sniffing, noses to the ground. I realized by the yellowing, wilted grass that Roundup had been used in this area, as well as in the interior of the dog park.
There was a young girl at the park, as well, who had two small dogs who were running in grass the same height as they were, sniffing and rolling in this affected grass. This young woman probably had no knowledge of the toxic chemicals used on this grass that her dogs were merrily grazing in.
Why, when we have so much knowledge as to the hazards of chemical use, global environmental issues and toxicity in our society, would we knowingly expose our family pets to this hazard? There are plenty of viable alternatives to control these areas. It seems careless and haphazard to utilize chemicals such as these where animals and kids are exposed. Roundup’s runoff, additionally, does not fully break down and runs to the ocean, therefore posing additional environmental concern.
Scotts Valley, please have more care and concern for your environment and the safety of those who use public areas. At the very least post some sort of warning to keep kids and dogs out of these areas.
Andrea Kroninger, Felton
Nancy Becker, Boulder Creek
Editor’s note: Scotts Valley Public Works officials confirmed that Roundup is used in the dog park. They said the groundskeeper assumed that because the chemical is safe around children, it is safe around animals, too.