Bristol Board of Park Commissioners - Update on Goose Management Plan
Commissioners commit donations and funding from Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund
Bristol, CT – [April 22, 2024] – The City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services (BPRYCS) Department in conjunction with the Board of Park Commissioners, continue to engage in research to determine the most cost effective, humane and impactful approach to geese management on the Veterans Memorial Boulevard Park. Recently the Board of Park Commissioners has committed to allocating proceeds from the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund to support non-lethal approaches to geese management and clean-up which may include habitat modifications, lawn treatments, scare devices, clean-up equipment and public education.
The Board of Park Commissioner’s held their largest meeting to date on Wednesday April 17th, with nearly 300 residents, community members of all ages, and animal rights activists and organizations in attendance to express their position regarding geese management at the park. The vast majority of speakers came out to support non-lethal approaches to geese management which prompted the Board of Park Commissioners to table the decision in favor of additional research into non-lethal approaches to addressing the issue.
Goose advocates, community members, and animal rights activists are encouraged to attend the 2024 Dinner on the Diamond at Muzzy Field on Saturday, May 11, 2024. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund and help support non-lethal goose management solutions in 2024. Tickets are available at https://bristolct.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29470
Donations can also be made directly to the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund through the Main Street Community Foundation website at www.mainstreetfoundation.org/friends-bristol-parks-and-recreation-fund.
Superintendent Dr. Josh Medeiros noted, “We were excited to see so many passionate community members that were willing to contribute to support a non-lethal approach to managing our resident geese population and look forward to their support at the Dinner of the Diamond.” Park Commissioners noted the Goose Management Plan would be one of the first community driven projects to receive funding from the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund. Community members who wrote letters, attended the Board of Park Commissioner meetings, and advocated for the local geese are asked to attend the 2024 Dinner on the Diamond and show their support for growing the Friends of Bristol Parks and Recreation Fund to support non-lethal goose management.
The Goose Management Plan will be reviewed and adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners in the coming months. Community members are reminded not to feed the geese.