Acting Parks Director McDonald Explains Strategic Approach

Melissa A. McDonald, Acting Parks Division Director & River and Watershed Manager, reports that her teams are doing their utmost to address the current seasonal proliferation of weeds:

“It’s been wonderful to get a good, solid monsoon season, but needless to say, the weeds were as happy as we were to get rain, so we get more weeds in our medians and at intersections. As a result, we have redirected resources and put more crews in problem areas.

“Some weeds are unsightly, and we get rid of those during routine maintenance on a four-week cycle. Some weeds are dangerous because they can grow tall so quickly that they reduce visibility for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. These are our highest priority, and sometimes we have to pull crews to those

potentially dangerous areas as they pop up.

“In an effort to prevent this game of whack-a-mole in the future, crews will be digging out elms in the fall, winter, and spring. We’ll also be seeding with native pollinators that don’t grow too tall. By allowing certain flowering native species to grow, we keep dust levels down while simultaneously beautifying our streets and providing pollinators for the bees. There have been advancements in availability of effective non-toxic treatments on broad-leafed weeds, and we plan on using them next spring.

"To keep updated on where we are heading, you can check the City’s monthly median tracker: santafenm.gov/parks__recreation. We are focusing on these areas over the next 3 weeks:

Intersections:

• Francis & Cerrillos Road (main intersection)
• Francis & Cordova Road (to light at Don Diego)
• Cerrillos & St. Michael’s Drive
• Old Pecos Hwy. toward Medico
• Rodeo Road & Old Las Vegas Hwy
• Sawmill & Medico

Medians:

• Paseo de Peralta (St. Francis to Farmers Market)
• Guadalupe (Don Diego to downtown)
• West Alameda (Camino Alire to downtown)

Cerrillos Road"