The Story Behind Binghamton’s “No Mow Zone”

The grass on most properties in the city of Binghamton must be mowed on a regular basis - but the code requirement doesn't apply to all properties.

In fact, in one spot on Binghamton's West Side there are bright yellow-and-green signs featuring the city's logo and the designation that it is a "No Mow Zone."

The property with the signs and the overgrown vegetation actually is owned by the city. It's at the very end of Vermont Avenue, just north of the Susquehanna River.

The "No Mow Zone" signs briefly explain the goal of the designation is to "help protect flood mitigation areas."

The city acquired the properties a couple of years after the devastating flooding of September 2011.

Another sign at the site explains that it's part of a program called "Broome County Buffers." It's an initiative overseen by the county Soil and Water Conservation District.

Bailey Park, a natural resource conservationist for Broome County, said the goal is to help promote the riparian habitat - the transition zone between water and the surrounding land.

Trees are planted in the buffer zones as part of an ongoing effort to encourage natural regeneration along waterways.

The "No Mow Zone" signs on Vermont Avenue were erected to help educate people in the neighborhood about the initiative.

About 30 buffer zones have been established in recent years at various locations across Broome County.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A visit to that special spot on Vermont Avenue on Binghamton's West Side.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.