Goosed

Canada Geese are majestic birds and as Monona Parks Board member Curt Neuhauser commented last night, they've got it good in Winnequah Park. These birds also create one problem for many park users: they poop, they poop a lot. I recall some ugly scenes from days of coaching youth soccer. Let's just say that the goose discouraged aggressive slide tackling!

The Monona Parks Board adopted a management plan last evening (August 16, 2007) that will use a multifaceted approach to discouraging geese from hanging around Winnequah Park. The plan will not harm the geese.

After talking with many other communities, city staff determined that any hope of success depends on a persistent and varied approach. The plan has six elements:

• Temporary fencing around the lagoon (with openings for fishing access)
• Stop mowing a 12'-wide border around the lagoon
• Place inflatable 'scare-eye' balloons in the lagoon
• Encourage kayaking in the lagoons
• Apply Methyl Antranilate (a constituent of Concord grapes)
• Apply anthraquinone (a non-toxic pesticide)
• Use trained border collies - volunteer or for-hire

These methods are specifically supported by the Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese a New York state citizen group formed to prevent killing urban geese.