Squirrels have taken over Legacy Park, and the Parks and Recreation Commission will decide Tuesday on whether to introduce “predator poles” to control the infestation.
The poles would serve as perches for birds of prey. City staff contends that installing them around the park would encourage birds to hunt the park’s ground squirrels by providing them with a safe vantage point to hunt. The perches would be at least 12 feet tall and vary in height and design.
For the last six months, the invasive rodents have damaged the park’s irrigation system and vegetation, causing enough property damage to the southwest corner of the park to necessitate a response, according to a staff report.
The introduction of predator poles would comply with the city’s Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), which aims to implement long-term methods of pest control that risk the least amount of damage to humans, non-target species and the environment. Other methods include altering local conditions the pests need to live and using non-chemical deterrents to prevent access to the infested area.
The predator poles could also improve the habitat for other local species of birds, according to the report.
Legacy Park opened in October 2010 on the Pacific Coast Highway between Cross Creek Road and Webb Way.
The Parks and Recreation Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Malibu City Hall. To read the full staff report, visit here.
