SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Officials in South Portland are using goats to help eliminate invasive weeds that have overrun a local park.

The parks and water resource departments unleashed the herd of goats at Yerxa Park Wednesday. Officials say they are trying to rid the park of Japanese Knotweed and other invasive plants without using pesticides.

The goats will be kept in a low voltage electric fence at the park to eat the weeds. Officials say they will use the goats again next spring. Native vegetation will be planted as well.

Officials used a $15,000 grant from South Portland’s Community Development Block Grant program to help pay for the project.