What a Severe Warning!

Last week I headed out to my favorite rail trail. I was going to meet my sister there but I got there early so I could do a mile or so at my own easy pace.

As I stepped on to the trail I immediately noticed these signs hanging up.


If you can't read it, it says:

                  Notice of Herbicide Application
An Herbicide Application is being planned for the Rail Trail for the following dates, Thursday, August 10th, 2017.  If the weather does not permit we will be applying the herbicide the following day.

Herbicided are being applied only to the sides of the trail and spot treatment on gravel areas in the middle of the trail where needed.  It will be safe to be on the treated areas 24 hours after the application has been made.  DO NOT walk.ride on either side of the trail  for 24 hours.  The previous statement  applies also to pets.  Do not lick and or eat any of the berries that may have been in contact with the herbicide.


I looked down at my watch and it for sure was Thursday, August 10th. These signs were posted every couple yards and at every opening where someone could enter the trail.  I read this sign over several times trying to determine if this meant the trail was closed or if it was an enter at your own risk sort of thing. I didn't see another soul around which is odd for a beautiful summer day such as this one. This place is usually bustling with activity.   The sign made me very nervous because all I kept thinking was Oh no, Now  I'm going to have some poisonous chemicals on my shoes and I'm going to drag the poison home to Baylee!

Just at that time, I saw a walker coming from the opposite direction. I asked him if he saw these signs at the end of the trail where he started. Note; The end where he was coming from is all paved. It is not rural and goes through a neighborhood. There would be no reason to spray herbicide at that end.

He said he didn't remember seeing the signs but if he did, he wouldn't have read them.   I pointed to the sign, and then he read it. He said he just saw that landscape truck parked in the parking lot in front of where we were standing  so he ran back and talked to the landscaper.  He came back a minute later with a thumbs up.

He asked the landscaper if it was an "enter at your own risk" and the landscaper replied that there really wasn't any risk at all! They had just sprayed on the sides of the trail but we were free to be on the trail walking, running or biking.

Huh! We both agreed that this was a pretty severe warning for what should have just said:
We sprayed herbicide on the sides of  the trail so make sure you stay in the middle.

I wonder if this was made a bigger deal than what is because of what happened to Baylee and at least one other dog that we know of last year.  My vet said she was going to call the rail trail authority to find out what was going on. Maybe that call prompted them to hang these signs each time they spray anything.

Needless to say, I we ended up continuing on the trail. I eventually met up with my sister and so far neither of us have died from any chemical poisoning.


What would you have thought of this warning? Would you have just thought everything was okay or would you have thought it was more severe?  -M


                                                   We are linking up with the gals from TOTR

24 comments:

  1. That is kind of an intense warning! I'm not sure I would have gone either unless I talked with someone.

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    1. Yea, It sounded pretty serious and I didn't see anyone else on the trail.

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  2. That is definitely attention getting. The 4th sentence in the second paragraph says it applies only to pets so yes, I'd say it's a CYA for them. Better safe than sorry! To answer you question about those leafless trees in my neighborhood. They're dying thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer. :( It's been a huge problem in the Chicago area.

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    1. No, it says it ALSO applies to pets. But even so, I wouldn't let my pet walk on something that would be unsafe for humans.

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  3. I suspect they've had complaints in the past, so in this day and age, it's definitely a CYA notice. Unless I could smell the pesticide, I would have run on the trail.

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  4. If I was there with my dog, I would have packed her up and gone home... those look scary!

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  5. I'm so weird about anything toxic anyways, I would have jetted... & not go back for 2 weeks minimum. Totally wouldnt take my dog through there.
    I actually am glad they posted signs. I would be so mad to know there was something sprayed & I had no idea. Especially having a pet.

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  6. How weird! That is pretty strong language when it was ok to be in the middle of the trail. I guess that it's better for them to err on the side of safety.

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    1. That is true but a simple "We sprayed. Don't go off the trail" would have been sufficient don't ya think?

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  7. These kinds of warnings come about because people either complain, or get affected by it by doing something dumb. I think all businesses are covering their butts in these cases.

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  8. This is funny because I came across a sign like this a few weeks ago and waited until I saw someone else on the trail to see what they'd do. ;) We both kept going and I didn't get poisoned, so I guess it was ok?

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  9. Hmm, if they spray our rail trail they never notify us of it! That would definitely be off-putting.

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  10. You would think they could come up with less harmful things to use in a place where there are humans around. But in any case, do you get the day off work when they spray? :)

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  11. With so many sue crazy people these days or those who have no common sense I think they probably have to put those up for those people just to cover their butts a little for the idiot who will eat the dirt or plants just because on the day they spray lol.
    Here in Utah they do a lot of aerial sprays by plane at times. When I first started reading I was thinking it was that and they didn't want you in there when the spray fell. But sounds like they walked in to do spot spraying. Its funny about the big warnings but trust me there is some plant eating liberal who if they didn't see signs and saw a spray they'd eat a plant just to sue lol lol

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  12. I would not have used the trail that day because of a sign like that. Too bad it appears to be overkill to protect themselves from litigious people.

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  13. I would probably think it was more of a cover your butt sign as well. Unless they were actually spraying while I was there I probably would have kept on

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  14. We have those signs posted a few times/year in the parks around here. The scary part is the biohazard suits the guys wear when they are spraying. It it's that bad, maybe they shouldn't be using it. Just saying.

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  15. I think these days, everyone just has to cover their butts for everything! At my school, we aren't allowed to bring in our own cleaning supplies! The only supplies that can be used are the ones the custodians use and only THEY are allowed to do it! Now, needless to say we don't always follow those rules...

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  16. I'm not sure what I would have done, but that warning sounds pretty legit! Glad y'all had the landscaper to ask!

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