Most Median Strips in Ashland: Grass and Plants To Be Replaced With Rocks and Herbicide Spraying

The city has embarked on a long-term project of replacing grass and plants in the Ashland Street and Siskiiyoiu Boulevard median strips with stones. The first transition covers one long block of Ashland Street just east of Siskiyou.

As part of the changeover the two blocks have been sprayed  with glyphosate, a herbicide. Use of herbicides is a continuing controversy since a city ban on their use was approved 15 years ago.

In June 2024 the Parks and Recreation Commission, however, voted to approve herbicide spraying in the median strips, but this last June a proposal by Parks Director Rocky Houston to overturn the ban on the use of pesticides in city parks was rejected by the commission. Two of the four commissioners present  however, said they would be willing to consider exceptions for use of pesticides in limited, specific uses or areas.

In June,  2024, Acting Parks Director Leslie Eldridge proposed the exemption of the ban to allow for spraying the “boulevard” areas in the city as a safety measure for APRC workers. “It can get pretty hairy,” she said at the time. “You can imagine playing traffic while you’re trying to weed whack at the same time.”

Staff members have reported eight incidents in six months with either safety risks or property damage. Oregon Department of Transportation records show an average of 540 people injured and five people dying every year working in such areas, Eldridge said.

Her proposal was unanimously approved by the commission after Public Works Director Scott Fleury explained that the city allows herbicide use where terrain, safety or other conditions prompt its use. The less time workers spend in such areas the better, for them and the public attempting to drive through, Fleury said.

During this year’s commission discussion, Houston argued that the pesticides he was proposing for use in city parks are available at the Ace Hardware and “there are no restrictions” on their application by any gardener in the city. Pesticides are the least expensive management option since he does not have the staff to maintain all of the “landscaped beds, tree wells, and other areas” on the 811 acres of city park space, he said.

“This is a non-starter for me,” Commissioner Mike Gardiner said. “I can’t get behind reintroducing pesticides in our parks.  Community members aren’t for this.”  He was a commissioner when the ban was approved.

Commissioner Justin Adams noted the “risks to staff” in applying chemicals. “It’s not an acceptable use.” Commissioner Daniel Weiner agreed that widespread use of pesticides was out, but suggested there could be areas where it might be used to save staff time and expense.

The median strip project will be implemented “over the next few years with the goal of improving worker safety, conserving resources and being FireWise,” City Communications Director Dorinda Cottle told The Chronicle. “The project is in accordance with Council priorities for the 25-27 Biennium.”

Reprinted with permission.