Should SHEEP Weed Silver Lake Reservoir Path?
The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council voted to explore that option Wednesday night at its monthly board meeting.
The motion originated in the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council's Green Committee.
It asked the SLNC to "investigate the use of sheep for maintaining the [Silver Lake Reservoir] path free weed free."
The council has been asked to help fund clean up efforts by LA Conservation Corp along the 2.2-mile path, which winds around the Silver Lake Reservoir.
Members of the Green Committee thought animals--intially goats, then sheep-- might be another option to explore.
The path around the lake features a number of plants and also attracts weeds.
Funding a long-term solution to its maintenance is an issue.
According to the council agenda, sheep have been used in other settings for weed control.
Advocates say they are low cost, cute and eco-friendly--and "will give Silver Lake an even more unique personality."
Council member Paul Michael Neuman says, of course, public health as well as cost may factor into any final recommendation.
But a the motion pased Wednesday night would only require further investigation by the council.
We will keep you posted.
The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Micheltorena Elementary School, 1511 Micheltorena Ave. in Silver Lake.
Jesus of silverlake
7:37 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Who is going to pick up the sheep shit?
Anthea Raymond
8:13 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
@jesus -- that may be part of what the council will explore.
James S Cisneros
8:55 am on Thursday, November 3, 2011
splendid idea!
Jesus of silverlake
1:27 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Mmmm...
SIMON
11:27 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
a few years ago the city had goats in elysian park eating the vegetation on the side of the hills. I thought it was a good idea, the only problem was that the goats would eat the entire plant including the roots. This caused a problem with the heavy rains where you could potentially have mud slides. The walkway on silverlake wouldn't have that problem.
janet
9:29 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Sheep can be kept on leashes. Little bags can be installed to catch the poop, which can be donated to whoever would like to fertilize their gardens. Goats will eat everything, including the bark off of trees. They are good in some areas, but not for the pathway.
Ronald van Ammers
8:38 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A goat would be just the thing to keep that stupid all-grass, well-enclosed meadow trim. And goat shit is very manageble. Kids would come to love "Silvie", the ever industrious Silverlake goat.
Anthea Raymond
10:42 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
@Ronald -- Thanks for picking up this thread again. I agree with you: an enclosure around the meadow makes the possibiity of industrious Silvie a possibility. I'll be following up with the Neighborhood Council on where this stands. And thanks for your great pictures from the workshop the other night too. So many good ideas and big dreams for the neighborhood. AR