LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Some Lincoln residents are complaining about the city’s policy of rarely mowing large parts of its parks.

Local media reports that workers began mowing less in 35 parks in 2004. The move was primarily to save money but also for environmental reasons, such as reducing pesticide use and increasing stream bank stabilization.

Last year, 29 parks were added to the so-called long-grass areas. They’re mowed three times a year rather than every two weeks.

Parks and Rec Director Lynn Johnson says the money saved helps keep neighborhood pools open.

But residents such as Charli Alexander says parts of Trendwood Park, where she walks twice a day, include areas with “a lot of big, ugly obnoxious weeds.”

Some residents have begun mowing parts of nearby parks themselves.