Live: Kentfield Commons Pesticide Free Park
The Kentfield Commons Park is a Pesticide Free Park. This keeps the park a safe space for children to play.
The HOA is responsible for keeping the community in compliance with all health and safety standards. And has a duty to “maintain the park and common areas to Redwood City Park standards.” CC&Rs
These healthy and safety standards have evolved over time. In the past, landscapers (including the Association's landscapers) claimed that pesticides such as Roundup where of low toxicity, inert once dried, and safe to use. Years later it has become apparent that many pesticides that were once deemed safe are causing serious illness. Exposure to glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) increases an individual’s risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41%.
As a result of these discoveries, many communities and school districts including Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Redwood City have adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans that either do not rely on chemical controls, or only use them as a last resort. The Association has followed suit to meet it's responsibility to protect residents from these health hazards.
These healthy and safety standards have evolved over time. In the past, landscapers (including the Association's landscapers) claimed that pesticides such as Roundup where of low toxicity, inert once dried, and safe to use. Years later it has become apparent that many pesticides that were once deemed safe are causing serious illness. Exposure to glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) increases an individual’s risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by 41%.
As a result of these discoveries, many communities and school districts including Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Redwood City have adopted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans that either do not rely on chemical controls, or only use them as a last resort. The Association has followed suit to meet it's responsibility to protect residents from these health hazards.
In 2015, the Kentfield Commons board Adopted the policy below to minimize the pesticide use in the park and shared common areas. It also created a protocol to inform homeowners before spaying individual lots. This benefits the association by reducing or eliminating potential injuries and litigation.
Pesticide Policy for Park and Common Areas:
In the interest of keeping the park accessible to everyone including children, the elderly, and other individuals who cannot be exposed to certain chemicals, the park and common areas are maintained without the use of registered pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. These chemicals are only used in emergency situations as a last resort.
If it is absolutely necessary to apply these chemicals, homeowners will be notified at least 7 days in advance. The application site will be clearly marked before, during, and after the application, as specified in California's Davis–Stirling Common Interest Development Act.
Keeping the community in compliance requires sustained effort. We appreciate the Board, Management, and the landscapers careful attention to this matter. See Protocols for Landscape Contractors.
Pesticide Policy for Park and Common Areas:
In the interest of keeping the park accessible to everyone including children, the elderly, and other individuals who cannot be exposed to certain chemicals, the park and common areas are maintained without the use of registered pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. These chemicals are only used in emergency situations as a last resort.
If it is absolutely necessary to apply these chemicals, homeowners will be notified at least 7 days in advance. The application site will be clearly marked before, during, and after the application, as specified in California's Davis–Stirling Common Interest Development Act.
Keeping the community in compliance requires sustained effort. We appreciate the Board, Management, and the landscapers careful attention to this matter. See Protocols for Landscape Contractors.
UPDATES:
Updates are posted here to provide the community with health and safety information. This promotes accountability.
Health and Safety Notice: The park was maintained pesticide free from 2015 - 2023. On Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, however, homeowners found a Brightview Tree Service agent preparing to spray an unknown pesticide on a tree in the park. The homeowners told the Brightview agent that homeowners were not notified, and asked him to wait until the proper protocols could be followed. The agent agreed to wait and loaded the materials back into his truck.
A few minutes later the Brightview agent came back and said that "(a landscape committee volunteer)" told his boss to proceed with the pesticide application despite homeowners concerns. The homeowners asked the Agent to wait. The agent said his orders were clear, he told the homeowners to back away and sprayed. No signs were left to indicate that pesticides were sprayed. Several hours later children were playing in the area.
A few minutes later the Brightview agent came back and said that "(a landscape committee volunteer)" told his boss to proceed with the pesticide application despite homeowners concerns. The homeowners asked the Agent to wait. The agent said his orders were clear, he told the homeowners to back away and sprayed. No signs were left to indicate that pesticides were sprayed. Several hours later children were playing in the area.
On Thursday, May 4th, 2023 several parents saw Gachina agents spraying something on the grassy areas in the park. No signs were left to indicate that pesticides were sprayed. Several hours later children were playing in the area.
Homeowners were later told the tree was sprayed with a "fungicide" and all the lawns were sprayed with "a herbicide designed to kill broadleaf plants." No one has been told exactly what pesticides were used. We do not know how long these chemicals and their residues remain active in the soil, and what their effects are long term. Information will be posted here as it becomes available, so that parents and patrons of all ages, can be aware of their exposure.
On May 9, 2023 the three board members (serving at the time) stated that they were unaware that any pesticides were going to be sprayed in the park. They never voted to use pesticides. The landscape committee volunteer ordered the pesticides application without the board's knowledge. The Board reaffirmed the HOA's commitment to maintaining a Pesticide Free Park stating that the HOA has no intention of changing the Pesticide Policy for the Park and Common areas that have been in place since 2015.
Important Update: On September 3, 2024, the Kentfield Commons Board send a newsletter indicating that it may "make an exception and use pesticides in the park and common areas" to kill clover. See September 2024 Newsletter
We are following this matter.
We are following this matter.
The HOA is responsible for keeping the community safe and in compliance with all health and safety standards. We hope to see careful management of the parks and shared common areas.
Kentfieldcommons.com is a privately owned website for parents living in Kentfield Commons. This is website is not affiliated with the Kentfield Commons HOA. Visit the HOA's website and contact the association managers and board members for assistance with HOA related concerns.
