Huntersville has brought in an unusual landscaping crew to clean up one of its parks: a herd of hungry goats.
The animals are now grazing at North Mecklenburg Park, where they will spend roughly two weeks eating invasive kudzu. The project targets overgrown areas along the park’s greenway and mountain bike trail.
Huntersville Parks and Recreation says the goats can reach terrain that is difficult for traditional landscaping crews. That includes steep slopes, thick woods and other areas where invasive plants have spread.
Instead of cutting the vegetation by hand, the goats eat the unwanted growth naturally. Officials say reducing the invasive plants should give native vegetation more room to return.
The goats will remain inside a temporary electric fence while they work. Parks employees plan to inspect the enclosure every day.
Visitors can watch the animals, but the town is asking people not to enter the fenced area, pet them or feed them.
Parents should also keep children outside the enclosure.
Dog owners face an additional warning. Pets must remain leashed, and officials are asking owners to give the herd plenty of space.
People with dogs that react strongly to livestock may want to avoid that section of the park until the project is finished.
Kudzu has become one of the South’s most recognizable invasive plants because of how quickly it can cover trees and other vegetation.
How long Huntersville’s four-legged cleanup crew stays will depend largely on how quickly the goats eat through the overgrowth.
