Concerns have been growing around the use of glyphosate, a common weed killer, particularly in public parks and green spaces in Okotoks.
Several residents have shared stories online about potential health effects on pets and children, prompting renewed attention and action from the Town.
Among them is Libby Wantenaar, who was first made aware of glyphosate in town a few years ago, after taking her son for a walk.
"Unbeknownst to us, it had been sprayed, but we only found out when we came through the other side, because it wasn't maybe signposted as well as it should have been, and we were horrified," Wantenaar recalled. "We got home, and we kind of rinsed him off, and he was fine."
Others shared their experiences and voiced similar concerns, and a petition was started, gathering over 200 signatures.
Wantenaar has been pleased with the response, though, having been in contact with representatives from the town.
"I will say they've been really good with the communication and echoing the potential issues with glyphosate. I haven't really got a sense that the town is like, 'You're being over the top, and this is all safe.' Maybe they're also questioning it."
IN terms of a solution, Wantenaar would like to see cosmetic weed control done away with altogether, but says she understands the town's need to comply with provincial regulations.
"My ideal solution would be to stop cosmetic chemical weed control altogether. I think the town does a lovely job of mowing and trimming all the green spaces, and you would probably hardly know that there were lots of weeds or sometimes weeds in those areas," said Wantenaar. "The town is mandated to deal with some invasive weed species. Dealing with those, I think there could still be safer ways."
Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn made a post on her Facebook page addressing the concerns, saying town contractors have now been instructed to post signage that will remain up for 48 hours after an area has been sprayed and to prioritize mechanical weed control.
A spraying schedule has also been posted on the town's website.