Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is pleased to announce the return of an environmentally friendly vegetation control system: a herd of goats which are temporarily taking up residence at Eastmoreland Golf Course, part of the five courses in the Portland Parks Golf system.
The 13th hole at Eastmoreland features a ravine which bisects the par-5 fairway, overgrown weeds on its steep banks. To manage the issue without herbicides or heavy machinery, PP&R and golf management firm KemperSports contracted local goat-renting professionals, GoGoatOregon, for the second straight year. Starting Monday, September 8, 2025, 10 goats and one llama (named Rain) began munching the weeds and trimming the greens at Eastmoreland hole 13. They’re expected to be on site for an estimated two to three weeks, clearing out invasive clematis, blackberry bushes, English ivy, and anything else munchable.
“Last year we saw the llama deter a curious coyote,” says John Ball, Portland Parks & Recreation Interim Director of Golf. “He and the goats exceeded my expectations. They are having a great time eating all the leaves and they are super cute. It’s awesome watching them work.”
Ball says he came up with the idea when the United States Golf Association (USGA) did a course consultation at Eastmoreland in July 2024. A partnership with GoGoatOregon was a natural fit for this natural area management.
“We talked about management and strategy for that challenging ravine, and the USGA representative said, ‘What about goats?’ And I thought this was genius. No need for chemicals or equipment and it was a chance for a popular, highly visible part of the course to be maintained effectively.”
Goats are effective for this sort of project, and eco-friendly. The herd helps to further the environmental stewardship that is a core part of Portland Parks Golf philosophy and practices.
Source: Portland Parks & Recreation
