-----Original Message-----
From: Gwendolyn Klingenberg [mailto:glklingenberg@sunflower.com]
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 8:47 AM
To: bjwalthall@ci.lawrence.ks.us
Subject: A letter on the subject of Pesticide Free Parks

Lawrence Neighborhood Association

To: The City Commissioners

Dear Mayor Rundle:

LAN has been aware of Pesticides Free concept for sometime and is very excited to have the Lawrence Parks and Recreation consider a real effort at eliminating many of the dangerous pesticides and other chemicals used on our parks today. Lawrence Parks and Recreations Department in the long run would save several thousands of dollars over time, however, the safety of our community and our children is number one in our asking that the city of Lawrence consider this concept.

We are very interested in the notification policy when and where chemicals have been used recently so Lawrencians know it is not safe to play in this part of the park.

There have been several cities that have become, if not totally, mostly chemical free and Lawrence should not take a back seat in this endeavor.  LAN believes that Lawrence’s parks are the most asked for improvement and additions to any neighborhood, but they need to be safe for our children, our families, and our visitors.

The affect of these very dangerous chemicals affects not only our parks and citizen directly, but affect our water supply indirectly through runoff. Our wildlife, that we protect, is in direct contact with the toxic chemical runoff especially in places like the Baker Wetlands.

 Lawrence has always protected its environment and now it is time to again take a step forward in eliminating those chemicals that will harm our way of life in Lawrence.

Thank you for your consideration;

Gwen Klingenberg

President - Lawrence Neighborhood Association