Poison Ivy in Public? Here's How to Deal


by on Jul 24th, 2009
(Image courtesy of Colin Purrington via Flickr)

(Image courtesy of Colin Purrington via Flickr)

It’s summertime, and that means backyard BBQs, ragin’ block parties and little-’uns running amok. But nothing puts a damper on things like those little-’uns – or you – running into a patch of Toxicodendron, better known as Poison Ivy. The three-leafed scourge takes root all over New York’s grassy areas if not treated, and can be responsible for itchy rashes, nasty eye infections and even worse for those particularly sensitive to the green menace’s toxins.

That’s why when we heard that it was running rampant in public places, with little bits of the leaves torn off by children passing by, we thought we’d hit up the local authorities to find out how you can have the city root out the problem.

Turns out, there’s a Parks Department program specifically designed to tackle on pests like this. The Integrated Pest Management approach to weed control of poison ivy eradicates the three-leafed vine with an EPA-approved herbicide, Roundup, which is absorbed by the plant leaves and kills the entire plant including the roots to prevent further growth.  Once the plant has dried out, crews return and remove it completely since the urushiol oils responsible for causing itching is still potent. Parks official Philip Abramson says the department’s field crews are adept in its identification and removal. The department receives complaints via 311 – so if you see a vine in a park or other public space, be sure to report it and crews are dispatched almost immediately.

However, removal is a bit more complicated. Parks can only be responsible for their own land. We’ve also received reports of it growing along the Belt Parkway, or in the empty lot adjacent to the train tracks that runs along East 15th between Avenue Y and Avenue Z. These properties are owned and managed by the Department of Transportation. To ensure its removal, we’re told you should contact your local councilman.

If any of the locations are in Councilman Fidler’s district, contact his office directly at 718-241-9330. If it’s in Councilman Nelson’s district, call 718-368-9176. Officials in both offices told us the number one problem they have with this kind of complaint is callers being unable to provide a location. So before you call, make sure you have as many details as possible about the location of poison ivy growth.

And remember: If it’s three, let it be.

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  • Anonymous

    THANK YOU

  • clare

    THANK YOU

  • Ray Johnson

    I don’t know why, but I actually find this kind of exciting…please, please tell me exactly where it is, cuz I’m itching to see some real poison ivy! Hey, I’ve never been to summer camp.

  • Ray Johnson

    I don’t know why, but I actually find this kind of exciting…please, please tell me exactly where it is, cuz I’m itching to see some real poison ivy! Hey, I’ve never been to summer camp.

  • Anonymous

    When I walk the dog in the A.M. I’ll give you 5 or 6 locations on a 2 block area.
    I have informed the residence or called in complaints when it is in a dangerous location. Poison oak is out there also but not as abundant.
    Hell want a walking tour??

  • clare

    When I walk the dog in the A.M. I’ll give you 5 or 6 locations on a 2 block area.
    I have informed the residence or called in complaints when it is in a dangerous location. Poison oak is out there also but not as abundant.
    Hell want a walking tour??

  • Anonymous

    2718 Ocean ave, on the side of building is the most hazardous.
    it spread to 1909 ave w, the son is going to poison it, its mixed in with ground cover,
    1801 ave w, on the 19 st side, 3rd tree off corner at the base,
    2259 E 18 st base of the tree,
    2268 E 18 street base of tree,
    private house with no address is either
    2262 or 2264 E 18 street, it growing over property to where the public has access.
    When I told the resident she disagreed that it was poison ivy.
    there are more small plants all over that I did not document.

  • clare

    2718 Ocean ave, on the side of building is the most hazardous.
    it spread to 1909 ave w, the son is going to poison it, its mixed in with ground cover,
    1801 ave w, on the 19 st side, 3rd tree off corner at the base,
    2259 E 18 st base of the tree,
    2268 E 18 street base of tree,
    private house with no address is either
    2262 or 2264 E 18 street, it growing over property to where the public has access.
    When I told the resident she disagreed that it was poison ivy.
    there are more small plants all over that I did not document.

  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com/ Anthony

    I use Round-Up as a weed killer in my yard. It’s very powerful stuff but I wasn’t aware it would eradicate poison ivy. Thanx for the tip. People should be aware that Round-Up is a chemical and can be irritating on the skin. Beware of contact with weeds that have been recently treated with the chemical and wash your hands after applying it yourself. And especially don’t touch Poison Ivy with Round-Up applied to it unless you’re looking for a double smackdown and you own stock in Calamine Lotion.

  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com Anthony

    I use Round-Up as a weed killer in my yard. It’s very powerful stuff but I wasn’t aware it would eradicate poison ivy. Thanx for the tip. People should be aware that Round-Up is a chemical and can be irritating on the skin. Beware of contact with weeds that have been recently treated with the chemical and wash your hands after applying it yourself. And especially don’t touch Poison Ivy with Round-Up applied to it unless you’re looking for a double smackdown and you own stock in Calamine Lotion.

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    Good to know, Anthony. Thanks for mentioning that. I used to do yard work for some extra cash in the summers and would use tons of Roundup. Ir’s kind of a “duh” to be careful, but you’re totally right – it’s poison and it’s worth the extra mention.

  • http://www.sheepsheadbites.com Ned Berke

    Good to know, Anthony. Thanks for mentioning that. I used to do yard work for some extra cash in the summers and would use tons of Roundup. Ir’s kind of a “duh” to be careful, but you’re totally right – it’s poison and it’s worth the extra mention.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Clare, if you photo documented all those spots and gave the info to 311 wouldn’t the city clean it up since it’s a public health hazard?

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Clare, if you photo documented all those spots and gave the info to 311 wouldn’t the city clean it up since it’s a public health hazard?

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    Arthur: Actually, the issue is a bit more complicated than whether or not it’s a public health problem. I thought this post would be a very simple, straightforward bit: you see something, contact 311 and you councilman and they will send parks to clean it up. But noooo.

    Turns out, when I spoke to people in Nelson’s office, they were running into walls with jurisdiction issues. As I mentioned above, if it’s parks property, Parks Dept. takes care of it. If it’s DOT, the DOT takes care of it. But if you have a negligent property owner whose poison ivy is growing over into a public space, the city has no real authority to go and uproot it. When I spoke to people in the office, they were attempting to coordinate with Dept. of Health, but they werent quite sure what result they would get out of it. And I’m sure there are plenty of other gray zones.

    My advice is to photo it and give the photos and info to your councilman and 311. If it’s on private property, let the property owner know as well, and tell them Roundup is effective. Then keep nagging. When you have jurisdictional issues like this, it’s not hard to fall through the cracks. Check in with the councilman’s office every week or so (but, please, not too often) and keep the pressure on.

  • http://www.nedberke.com Ned Berke

    Arthur: Actually, the issue is a bit more complicated than whether or not it’s a public health problem. I thought this post would be a very simple, straightforward bit: you see something, contact 311 and you councilman and they will send parks to clean it up. But noooo.

    Turns out, when I spoke to people in Nelson’s office, they were running into walls with jurisdiction issues. As I mentioned above, if it’s parks property, Parks Dept. takes care of it. If it’s DOT, the DOT takes care of it. But if you have a negligent property owner whose poison ivy is growing over into a public space, the city has no real authority to go and uproot it. When I spoke to people in the office, they were attempting to coordinate with Dept. of Health, but they werent quite sure what result they would get out of it. And I’m sure there are plenty of other gray zones.

    My advice is to photo it and give the photos and info to your councilman and 311. If it’s on private property, let the property owner know as well, and tell them Roundup is effective. Then keep nagging. When you have jurisdictional issues like this, it’s not hard to fall through the cracks. Check in with the councilman’s office every week or so (but, please, not too often) and keep the pressure on.

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur Borko

    Oh god. So basically its a case of passing the buck so nobody gets stuck with the bill. *eyeroll*

  • http://www.njluxurymotors.com Arthur B

    Oh god. So basically its a case of passing the buck so nobody gets stuck with the bill. *eyeroll*

  • http://professional-suggestion.com/ Uninstall Program

    Thanks for clarifying.