Concern Grows Over Foxtail Grass in Brooklyn Parks
Dog owners in trendy Brooklyn are becoming increasingly frustrated with spiny weeds, particularly the invasive foxtail grass, taking over beloved local parks. They fear these plants could pose risks to their furry friends.
At Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick, this aggressive grass can be harmful. It’s not just a nuisance; it can injure pets by scratching their skin, ears, eyes, and even impacting their lungs.
“Last year, foxtail seed barbs got stuck in our dog’s inner eyelids and scratched his cornea,” shared resident Jasmine Korahan.
Brendan Morrison, who has lived near the park for three years, acknowledged that many newcomers may not be aware of the dangers of this grass. “There should be more awareness and maybe even signs about it,” he said. He suggested that the responsibility to address the issue falls on the community. “The park isn’t going to take care of this, we have to do it ourselves.”
A volunteer with the Maria Hernandez Park Dog Run Pack noted that while residents have raised concerns with the city, the foxtail grass hasn’t been fully eradicated. “Since then, it has spread quite a bit throughout the park,” the volunteer stated.
On the flip side, a spokesperson for NYC Parks contended that they believe they are managing “general weeds” effectively. “We handle it every time we visit the park through regular cutting and trimming,” they stated, adding that New Yorkers should report foxtail issues to 311.
Since the beginning of this year, the city has addressed 74 weed complaints in Bushwick, according to 311 data.
Foxtail seeds are particularly concerning because they can remain in a pet’s nasal passages, leading to possible lung issues. If a seed moves to the chest or abdomen, surgery could be needed.
Residents who have visited the park this spring reported seeing tall foxtail grasses still present in the dog areas.
Another park-goer pointed out that not much cutting of the grass seems to happen anymore. “It hasn’t been trimmed in a while,” they mentioned.
Kevin, another Bushwick dog owner, added that the park has multiple issues, including exposed rat poison, unsanitary bathrooms, and large puddles forming after rain. He questioned why efforts to tackle the foxtail problem seem so difficult, remarking on the other pressing concerns as well.
“They really need to do something about it,” he said, indicating that this invasive grass not only clutters the park but also potentially exacerbates other issues. He described the foxtail area as smelling odd but claimed it was safe.
