[Advocacy-outreach] Weedkiller sprayed on prairie land at 63-67th S Knox!

[Amy Olson]

Hello Mary Kay,

I’m connecting you with our Advocacy and Outreach team and May Toy, a CCGA member who has been instrumental in the creation of a new ordinance protecting native gardens in Chicago. Do you happen to know who owns this land? Do you have any photos of the site?

May and advocacy team - below is Mary Kay’s message to us about the unfortunate spraying of weed killer on the prairie land near the railroad at S. Knox from 63rd to 67th.

Hi, I live at 6408 S Knox  for 40 years.  Our garage alley is up against the prairie land now owned by the city and part near railroad is railroad owned.  From 63rd -67th st behind S Knox.  When we first moved in beautiful grass was being maintained by the previous owner then we and many other neighbors maintained theirs.  Prairie grass grew snd they use to tractor cut it couple times a year.  It was beautiful.  I recently planted perennial plants snd seeds way out there for next year.  I was so upset the other day when the city, ordered by Moe the super of them 14th ward ordered it be sprayed with poison.  I had a lengthy discussion with him yesterday and he “was sorry” but said the weeds need to be sprayed so they don’t grow.  I’m so upset obviously because between the airport, railroad, cars, lack of trees or evergreens we are living in a very toxic environment.  Thankfully I diffuse DōTERRA essential oil’s indoors but I don’t see why prairie grass can’t grow then perhaps again like before.  I need your help to fight back.  I have several interested neighbors and people from along the railroad property that runs east and west by 60th or so.  Nobody wants poison sprayed.  A pregnant lady had a headache he another neighbor was sneezing.  It’s not ideal in our climate now to be spraying toxins to stop greenery.  If anything they need evergreens  out there which would prevent weeds.  I spoke to him about it.  Of course he sounded like he was interested but I’m not enough of a voice, although I do know Moe a little as my husband works for the ward office part time.  Moe said prairie grass is a place for rats to hide.  Too me, that is not enough of a reason to spray poison.  What say you and how can you help?  Please!!! Mary Kay Rosado

Have a good evening,
Amy

on behalf of the CCGA communications team

….

amy olson (she/her)
designer + grower
akeo at me.com <mailto:akeo at me.com>
312.925.2148



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://chicagocommunitygardens.org/pipermail/advocacy-outreach_chicagocommunitygardens.org/attachments/20210923/8ea49f49/attachment-0002.html>