Organic Playgrounds with Stonyfield

April 2, 2019

This post is sponsored by Stonyfield. However, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? I’m sure we have all heard that. But To be honest, I am not the best at being careful with my skin or even my kid’s skin. I am great at watching what we eat, but everything else… not so much.

For me, when I think of pesticides, I tend only to associate it with food. Not with parks, playgrounds or even sports fields. Did you know that the majority of the playing fields and parks kids play on are treated with a chemical cocktail of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides?

Many of the commonly used chemicals are either proven or likely endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the development of children’s immune, reproductive, and metabolic systems.

Let that sink in just a bit.

I’m so quick to buy something when it’s organic but never thought about the kind of chemicals at public parks.

Stonyfield is dedicating this year, and beyond, to bringing greater awareness about possible exposure to pesticides in children’s outdoor playing fields and community spaces.

Stonyfield is starting a three-year initiative to help 35 communities across the country convert outdoor fields and parks to organic. All while also igniting a more significant movement to ensure that all kids can play freely without the concern of potentially harmful chemicals.

IN HOUSTON:

Transitioning the Formal Lawn and the Molly Ann Smith Area to organic management is not only a significant act of stewardship, but it’s also a pioneering decision to make Hermann Park the first park in Houston to use organic maintenance practices. Did you know currently Houston has no policy in place for the pesticide-free transition of public parks? By leading the way to organic maintenance, The Conservancy hopes to show the city that if organic lawns and fields are attainable, they are possible in all of Houston’s public green spaces!

Stonyfield teamed up with Non Toxic Neighborhoods to bring this pilot program to life in Houston. And, their friends at Walmart (did you know they are a HUGE seller of organics?) donated $20,000 toward the effort in Houston too!

This makes me SO excited, how awesome would it be to have ALL the public green spaces in Houston ORGANIC?!

Parents, I want to urge you to find out more here. Let’s not just choose organic foods, let’s make parks, playgrounds and sports fields an organic place free of harmful chemicals!

AROUND THE COUNTRY:

Here are the cities that have already celebrated going organic;
South Portland ME, Bug Light Park
Hyattsville MD, Magruder Park
Houston TX, Hermann Park

Cities going organic this Spring;
3/30/19 – Costa Mesa CA, Luke Davis Park
4/6/19 – Burbank CA, George Izay Park
4/13/19 – Salt Lake City UT, Regional Athletic Complex
4/27/19 – North Miami FL, Ben Franklin Park
5/4/19 – Dover NH, Woodman Park Ball Field
5/5/19 – Portsmouth NH, Alumni Park