Arlington to Employ 'Goatscaping' Methods at Menotomy Rocks Park

ARLINGTON, MA — The Town of Arlington will be utilizing a practice once common but one that is now seldom used to clear parks of unwanted vegetation at Menotomy Rocks Park.

The Town announced Tuesday that it will be using the practice of Goatscaping in order to clear unwanted vegetation from the parks. Goatscaping is the practice of renting goats in order to clear out unwanted and invasive vegetation.

Sue Shortmann, an account manager at The Goatscaping Company, told Patch that this practice is becoming popular due to an increase in ecological consciousness.

"More and more people are being ecologically conscious," Shortmann said."People don't want sprays around their kids and their dog. The disadvantages of chemical sprays are becoming more widespread.

As part of the practice, goats will be contained by a four-foot-high electric net fence powered by a solar battery. According to the Town's announcement, the fence gives a brief and unpleasant zap, but will not injure anyone, including children or seniors.

The project was funded by an anonymous donation to the Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park.

Goatscaping has multiple benefits, including goats eating thorny plants which can hurt human hands, as well as the goats leaving a natural fertilizer which helps promote unwanted growth, according to Shortmann.

Goats will descend upon Menotomoy Rocks Park from July 27 to August 2, and Shortmann also said as an added bonus that the goats are a joy to watch.

"They are very much like brothers and sisters," she added."They'll cuddle with other goats, butt heads and are truly a joy to watch."

Photo Credits: The Goatscaping Company