The City of Boulder welcomes a new crew of four-legged landscapers to Harlow Platts Community Park. The city has “hired” goats for several years, but this is the first year with this herd. As part of the city’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, approximately 275-325 goats will be on-site between June 12-17 to help control invasive weeds and support healthy native plant communities.

The community is invited to join us for the annual “Meet and Bleat” event on Saturday, June 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Harlow Platts Community Park. Visitors can meet the goats, take photos and pet them, and learn more about the goats and what they do.

Advance registration is required to attend. Please register online at bldr.fyi/MeetAndBleat. The electric fence protecting the goats will be turned off only for this event, so don’t miss it!

“The goats help us control invasive weeds in a way that protects the environment and strengthens our community’s connection to nature,” said Joy Master, ecology supervisor for the City of Boulder. “Their grazing means we don’t have to rely as much on machines or chemicals, and it gives people a fun and educational way to see how we care for the land.”

The herd size has increased from approximately 30 to 300 and therefore the goats are on-site only a few days. They will work their way around the park, covering about five acres in less than a week. As they graze and trample invasive plants like Canada thistle, crown vetch, common teasel, and chicory, they help reduce seed production and suppress the spread of noxious weeds.

Over the past two decades, goats have successfully contributed to weed management in Boulder at sites such as Boulder Reservoir, Tantra Park, Christensen Park, Gerald Stazio Softball Fields, Maxwell Park, and Harlow Platts Community Park.

While the goats are friendly, the city requests that attendees leave dogs at home and refrain from bringing food for the goats—they’ll be busy munching on their assigned greenery. For the best access to the event, visitors are encouraged to park in the in the middle of the three parking lots off of Gillespie Drive, as the south lot close to the playground will be closed. Please follow signage to the goats located on the southwest side of the lake.

While rare, goats do occasionally wander off. If you see a goat outside the designated area, please contact the Parks and Recreation Urban Ranger Hotline at 303-441-4418.

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