Solon Begins Using Organic Lawn Care On Veterans Park

The city of Solon is now chemical free in treating the grass at Veterans Park.

This spring, the city has hired Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, a Cleveland-area company, to care for the park at the corner of SOM Center and Bainbridge roads.

Alec McClennan, the owner of Good Nature, said his company uses only organic fertilizers and will not use pesticides and herbicides.

Solon is one of a number of area cities who are going organic to care for their parks. Chagrin Falls, Beachwood, and Bath Township also use Good Nature to care for their parks.

Mark Hawley, Solon's streets division manager, said the city chose Veterans Park for this because its often used to host city gatherings, such as ceremonies for veterans.

"I wanted to show the community that we, as stewards to our environment, are doing all we can to do our part," Hawley said.

McClennan said his company uses organic fertilizers that get into the soil, which the bacteria in the dirt convert into energy-rich material that plants use. The process, McClennan says, helps improve the soil.

"To me, one thing I'm trying to change is people's perception of what a lawn can be," McClennan said. "You can do it without the chemicals."

While Good Nature does some work for local cities, the bulk of its business is residential customers.

Learn more about Good Nature at the company website.