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<br />Roxcie L. Waltjen <br />Harry Kim <br />Director <br />Mayor <br /> <br /> <br />Maurice C. Messina <br /> <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION <br />101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 <br />(808) 961-8311  Fax (808) 961-8411 <br />Email: parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov <br />http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/ <br /> <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br /> <br />July 5, 2019 <br /> <br />Goat Herd Pilot Project at Hilo Park <br /> <br />The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announces that on July 16, <br />2019, a pilot project will begin in an area adjacent to the Hilo Soccer Fields where a <br />heard of goats from 3C Goat Grazing will be clearing a large brush area. <br /> <br />“Since goats are essentially natural weed whackers, putting them to work in our parks is <br />hearty for the goats and good for the environment,” said Roxcie Waltjen, Director of <br />Parks and Recreation. The department already works with groups known as “Friends of <br />the Park” at various facilities throughout the island in an effort to reduce the use of <br />pesticides, and this new project will increase the department’s arsenal of natural park <br />maintenance. <br /> <br />“If this pilot project is successful, we will look to utilize this form of weed control at other <br />park facilities throughout the island,” Waltjen said. <br /> <br />The goats will be in a fenced area during the pilot project and a herder will be with the <br />goats throughout the duration of the project. The department asks the public to not <br />approach the fencing while the goats graze in the area. <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br /> <br />