(WA) Parks Department May Let Volunteers Give Geese A Fence

[Give Geese A Chance]

media release: June 4, 2003
Demonstration Goose Fence
Gas Works Park [Seattle, WA]
Thursday June 5 NOON

Parks Department May Let Volunteers Give Geese A Fence
Gas Works Park Geese May Be Spared in Upcoming Goose Kill

Late negotiations today between Give Geese A Chance and the Seattle Parks 
and Recreation Department have paved the way for the possible construction 
of a goose exclusion barrier at Gas Works Park.

Under the proposed plan, volunteers from Give Geese A Chance would 
construct and maintain the fence as well as paying for all the required 
materials. In exchange, the Parks Department would notify the federal 
agriculture agents who kill geese in the city that they are not to kill in 
Gas Works. The Parks Department agreement with the federal government 
allows the city to designate areas that are off limits to goose killing. 
The barrier would remain in place from next week until volunteers remove it 
for the traditional July 4th fireworks display.

The fence would save the City of Seattle about $1500 since the city 
normally rents portable fencing to keep the area clean prior to the July 
4th fireworks.

In his email to Barbara DeCaro, the Seattle Parks Department official in 
charge of the goose kill, Give Geese A Chance spokesperson Bob Chorush wrote:
I think you will be surprised at the good will that a cooperative project 
such as this will generate. I have remained baffled at your refusal to meet 
with us after our previous offer of volunteering to clean up goose poop and 
keep the geese away from play fields and beaches. 
 As you have seen from 
our strategies for saving geese, we are nothing if not flexible. While we 
will never agree to the needless slaughter of any resident wildlife in the 
city, we are certainly willing to work with you and to compromise to help 
achieve mutual goals.

A demonstration model of the goose fence proposed by Give Geese A Chance 
will be erected in Gas Works Park on Thursday, June 5 at Noon. Goose 
supporters will use their 7 foot tall goose mascot to demonstrate the 
effectiveness of the fencing. Volunteers are expected to be singing “Give 
Geese A Fence.”

Give Geese A Chance
Contact:  Bob Chorush 206-856-4894
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