Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is finally taking action to reduce pesticide use in city parks after being called out for years of noncompliance with a local ban. The department announced new commitments in April 2026 to phase out synthetic herbicides, including products containing glyphosate and 2,4-D (a key ingredient in Agent Orange), from public green spaces .

Why Did Philadelphia Parks Keep Spraying Banned Chemicals?

The city passed the Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces (HOPS) Law in 2020, which prohibited synthetic herbicides on city-owned land within three years. However, Parks & Recreation data revealed the department significantly increased pesticide use in green spaces, including in Wissahickon Valley Park, well after the law took effect in 2021 . City Council members pressed the department during a June 2025 hearing to finally comply with the law they had ignored for years.

The delay wasn't accidental. Parks & Recreation officials argued that organic pesticides and mechanical methods weren't as effective as synthetic chemicals, making compliance difficult . But health advocates and environmental scientists pushed back, citing growing evidence linking these chemicals to serious health risks.

What Health Risks Are Associated With These Herbicides?

The chemicals Philadelphia Parks had been spraying pose documented health risks to people who come into contact with them. Previous studies have linked exposure to certain pesticides with asthma, cancer, respiratory diseases among children, birth defects, and other health conditions . Herbicides are particularly hazardous because people can absorb them directly through their skin.

"Pesticides are there to kill things. None of them are good for human health," said Lianne Sheppard, a professor in the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences department at the University of Washington.

Lianne Sheppard, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington

Sheppard co-wrote a 2019 scientific analysis that found people with high exposures to glyphosate-based herbicides have a significantly increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer . While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined glyphosate to be safe for human health, the World Health Organization has classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" .

How to Reduce Pesticide Exposure in Public Parks

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation outlined specific steps to minimize chemical exposure in city parks. These new practices will take effect starting in 2026 and apply to both department staff and contractors:

• Expanded Buffer Zones: The department will extend spray restrictions from 50 feet to 100 feet around play equipment and food-producing garden areas, keeping children and families further away from chemical exposure.
• No Spraying on Athletic Fields: Ballfields will be completely off-limits for herbicide application, protecting young athletes who spend hours on these surfaces.
• Mechanical Methods First: Parks staff will prioritize non-chemical alternatives including mowing, trimming, hand weeding, and mulching before considering any herbicide use.
• Extended Warning Periods: Warning signs will be posted in affected areas for up to 48 hours after herbicides are applied, though the HOPS Law requires 72 hours.
• Seasonal Staffing Increases: The department will hire more seasonal workers and purchase additional string trimmers to handle the more labor-intensive mechanical approaches.

Parks Commissioner Susan Slawson acknowledged the shift during an April 1 City Council hearing, stating: "We recognize the importance of minimizing the use of herbicides and pesticides wherever possible while also ensuring that our management practices are effective in controlling invasive species and supporting the long-term health of our natural landscapes" .

Deputy Commissioner Sue Buck explained that the department may still use herbicides only when mechanical approaches are infeasible or insufficient, particularly for clearing vegetation from road signs and walking paths, or controlling hazardous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, stinging nettle, or giant hogweed . These limited applications would require approval from the Department of Public Health.

What Comes Next for Philadelphia's Parks?

The shift represents a significant victory for Toxic Free Philly, a coalition of residents who have advocated for the herbicide ban since the HOPS Law passed. Kris Soffa, speaking on behalf of the group, acknowledged the five-year delay but expressed optimism about the path forward: "We recognize that it takes time to make such a big move like that. We're a big city, and people are accustomed to doing things the way they've been doing them. Little by little, we're going see a clean, healthy future for everyone" .

The department will continue annual training for pesticide technicians and provide personal protective equipment meeting industry standards. However, questions remain about which specific products Parks & Recreation will use going forward, as Buck acknowledged that detailed product information wasn't readily available .

This commitment comes as national momentum around glyphosate continues to shift. Experts recently called on U.S. and European regulators to further restrict the chemical's use, citing mounting evidence of health problems . Yet the political landscape remains complicated, with President Donald Trump issuing an executive order in early 2026 aimed at boosting domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides .

For Philadelphia families, the new policies mean safer parks where children can play without exposure to chemicals designed to kill living organisms. The transition won't be instant, but the commitment signals that public health is finally winning out over convenience.