TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Ted Semaan, Interim Public Works Director
Sean Roberts, Field Operations Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Management Strategies Associated with Canada Goose at Polliwog Park and Adjacent Sports Fields (No Budget Impact) (Interim Public Works Director Semaan).
(Estimated Time: 1 Hr.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council review the proposed management strategies and notes from the community meeting, and then provide direction on management strategies associated with Canada Goose at Polliwog Park and adjacent sports fields.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications at this staff. Depending on direction provided by the City Council, staff would have to assess the fiscal impact of any management strategies that are outside the regular scope of Public Works staff.
BACKGROUND:
Polliwog Park is an 18-acre public open space located in central Manhattan Beach, adjacent to Manhattan Middle School and several athletic and recreational facilities. The park features a 1.2-acre concrete-lined lake (Polliwog Lake), two playgrounds, a dog park, an amphitheater, the Manhattan Beach Historical Society museum, and several other amenities.
In recent years, Polliwog Park and nearby fields have seen a dramatic increase in the population of the resident Canada Goose.
A recent high count for the park, 95 Canada Geese, was recorded by local birder Layton Pace on January 8, 2025 (https://ebird.org/checklist/S208561197). Typical counts reported by birders in 2025 have ranged from 25 to 50 geese. These large birds forage extensively on turfgrass and produce significant volumes of fecal matter, degrading the condition of sports fields and creating negative recreational experiences for park users.
In response to multiple community complaints, the Public Works Department proactively began evaluating strategies in May 2024, soliciting the assistance of a biologist to address these concerns. City staff also conducted a Community Outreach meeting on April 21, 2025, soliciting input from residents.
Accordingly, in November, 2024, the City commissioned wildlife biologist Robert Hamilton, President of Hamilton Biological, Inc., to assess and develop recommendations for sustainable Canada Goose population management. The report consolidates the results from field visits, stakeholder interviews, site comparisons, and regulatory guidance into targeted recommendations.
During the June 17, 2025 Parks Master Plan update presentation by the Parks & Recreation Department, City Council inquired about the impact and potential mitigation measures of the Canada Goose population residing at Polliwog Park. The City Council was informed that Public Works staff have commenced an assessment with a biologist, Mr. Hamilton, and will present findings and recommendations at a later date.
During that time, the pathways in the area of Polliwog Lake were being pressure-washed once per week. Residents attending the April 21, 2025, Community meeting requested increasing the pressure washing strategy. In light of the ongoing concerns, pressure washing frequency was increased to twice per week, starting in mid-July 2025. This currently costs the City $3,000 per month.
DISCUSSION:
Wildlife biologist Robert Hamilton completed the assessment including conducting field visits, stakeholder interviews, and site comparisons, and developed a report, utilizing regulatory guidance to develop targeted recommendations. The report contained site-specific recommendations for sustainable Canada Goose population management.
In the report, Mr. Hamilton also identified health and safety concerns outlined below:
• Environmental Health: Fecal droppings contribute to nutrient loading and algal blooms in water bodies and may carry E. coli and other pathogens.
• Public Health & Safety: Accumulated feces create slip hazards and potential exposure to bacteria. Aggressive goose behavior, especially during breeding season, presents a safety concern for children and pet owners.
• Operational Challenges: Waterfowl eat newly seeded grass during turf rehabilitation, damaging field restoration efforts and increasing maintenance costs.
Proposed Management Strategies
Below are recommended tiered strategies for consideration by City Council that are non-lethal and aligned with federal and State regulations:
1. Public Education & Ordinance
o Create a City web page and educational signage to inform the public about the impacts of goose feeding and the City's response.
o Consider enacting a municipal ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife in parks and public spaces.
Through community feedback, there is clear support for expanding public education efforts regarding the impacts of goose feeding. Residents have specifically expressed support for installing educational signage in parks and public areas and recommend partnering with the School District to integrate wildlife stewardship messaging into school programs.
2. Food Reduction & Trash Management
o Reduce food attractants through better waste control and discourage public feeding.
3. Habitat Modification
o Install barriers such as shrubs, low fencing, or low landscaping to discourage the geese from moving easily between the turf and the lake.
Through community feedback, the fencing solution was generally supported; however, there were concerns about its potential impact on visibility for parents and the safety of small children.
o Adjust mowing height and grass types where appropriate to reduce turf appeal.
4. Behavioral Hazing with Green Lasers
o Train maintenance staff to safely use green laser tools to haze geese during early morning hours, consistent with Humane Society and USFWS recommendations.
Through community feedback, there was support for this method; however, residents expressed concern that the geese might simply return. To address this, train maintenance staff to safely use green laser tools for hazing during early morning hours, in alignment with Humane Society and USFWS recommendations.
5. Egg Addling (Reproductive Control)
o Register with the USFWS to allow for the addling of Canada Goose eggs under their resident goose depredation permit system. Addling involves shaking or oiling eggs to prevent hatching, and is a non-lethal, federally sanctioned technique to limit future population growth.
6. Field Protection Measures
o For fields under rehabilitation, use methyl anthranilate or anthraquinone goose repellents combined with heavy sand top-dressing to discourage foraging. Monitor effectiveness and reapply as needed.
Staff recommends that if the City Council is interested in pursuing one, or a collection of strategies identified herein, the City Council shall direct staff to evaluate the impacts of that collective strategy on staff resources as well as budget.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
On April 21, 2025, Public Works hosted a community meeting at Heights Park to discuss the Canada Goose Sanitation Strategy. The meeting was attended by 15 community members, as well as staff from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, biologist Robert Hamilton, and representatives from the Manhattan Beach Police Department. For additional details, refer to Attachment #3.
Additionally, this item was included on the agenda for the September 2, 2025, City Council meeting and posted in accordance with applicable law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the discussion and direction from City Council is not a “Project” as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA and no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Hamilton Biological Report
2. April 21, 2025 - Community Meeting Note
3. PowerPoint Presentation