SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- The geese have returned to Shawano, and with that the Park and Rec is ready to roll up their sleeves in attempts to keep their parks clean.
The Shawano Park and Rec Committee is giving geese a chance with a decision earlier this year to hold of on euthanizing them, and harassing them instead.
Park and Rec Director Matt Hendricks says the success is really going to be dependent on volunteer help.
“Last I heard, five volunteers signed up. The time commitment is very minimal, which is just walking through a park.”
The attempts will include moving around coyotee decoys, using a laser light to scare the geese into the water, and if the city council approves it this week, walking in the parks with leashed dogs.
“Allowing dogs in some of those parks. The idea is that someone walking through with a dog would encourage geese to go back into the water, and if that happens time and time again, maybe they would get the clue.”
Hendricks says the problem with the geese comes from the fecal matter left in the park, and while they are changing their approach, the dirty work still needs to be done.
“Really the other response is not just harassing them, but cleaning up what they leave behind.”
He says he may have summer staff that would help that as well.
