Lawn pesticide use up in Stratford

The number of Stratford, P.E.I. residents using pesticides on their lawns has dramatically increased from last year.

The increased use of pesticides was one of a number of findings in the town's annual resident survey. Of the people responding to the survey 38 per cent indicated they had used pesticides, a 22 per cent increase over last year.

"Any use of pesticides concerns me of course," said Mayor David Dunphy.

"We want our residents to live in a healthy community, and some people have sensitivity to pesticides."

Dunphy said the town may have to try to figure out why more people turning to chemicals to keep their lawns green.

"We're not sure why that number is different than last year. Of course next year's survey we'll see what kind of results we get to see if this was an anomaly," he said.

Few in Stratford walking or biking

The survey also showed that only two per cent of residents are walking or biking to work.

Residents said the biggest barriers were feeling unsafe on the Hillsborough bridge, too few sidewalks and bike lanes, and traffic.  Nineteen per cent of Stratford residents participated in the survey.  It was conducted over a six-week period beginning this January. The survey has a margin of error of 3.9 per cent 19 times out of 20.