Anderson Park Trail closure for weed abatement

Trail access will be reduced while goats graze on the weeds along sections of Anderson Park Trail.

Reno, Nevada. Aug. 3, 2016. The Washoe County Community Services Department has started a weed abatement project at Anderson Park, employing the use of goats as a measure to control the weeds which are encroaching upon the trails. The project will take place through August 15. Access to some of the park’s trails will be affected during the project.  

“Nature’s weed-eaters are back to combat the weeds along the trails,” said Park Ranger Andy Brown. “It’s a much different approach to using pesticides, and the goats will be a lot of fun to watch. This section of trail is normally difficult to access this time of year due to the weed growth that occurs here. In years past, we’ve resorted to mowing it and spraying it with herbicide. This is the second year that we have used this method for controlling weed growth along this section of trail, and we’re definitely beginning to see signs of improvement."

Goat Grazers, a local company which specializes in the use of goats for the clearing of defensible space and fuels reduction, has been contracted to provide the animals for the project, which was made possible with grant funding provided by the Nevada Land Trust.

Although roughly one-half mile of the trail will be closed from the Yoakam Lane Entrance to the junction west of the Bonde Lane entrance, Trail users will continue to have access from one end of the park to the other. The closure will not affect access from Anderson Park to neighboring Bartley Ranch Regional Park. Park Rangers urge the public to continue to observe the park’s leash requirement while walking their pets through the area.

For more information about the project and trail closure, please contact Park Ranger Andy Brown at 775-849-2511.

What: Anderson Park Trail weed abatement project

Where: Anderson Park, at 556 Yoakam Lane, Reno, NV

When: Through August 15, 2016, at 9 p.m.

Details: Sections of the trail will be closed to allow the use of goats to remove weeds from the trail.

Contact: For more information about the project and trail closure, please contact Park Ranger Andy Brown at 775-849-2511 or abrown@washoecounty.us

 Anderson Park is managed by the Washoe County Community Services Department. For more information, visit www.washoecountyparks.com.

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