City Park Soil Contaminated, Testing Finds

A section of Community Center Park in the NE corner near the entrance and Bolin Creek off S. Estes Drive in Chapel Hill was blocked off July 12 by the town after tests showed elevated levels of lead, cadmium and petroleum products. The contaminated soil was found by a city consultant preparing an environmental impact study for a proposed inclusive park at the center. No recreation participants, programs or activities are affected.

The consultant advised town staff about the early results Wednesday afternoon and the area was closed off Friday morning with temporary tape and signage. The area is be­tween the driveway and the apartment property next door.

Town Manager Chris Blue said, “The safety of our community members and staff members is our top priority. We’re eager to review the draft assessment and work with experts to determine next steps that continue to put everyone’s safety above all else.”

PHOTO BY SUSAN KELLY

A statement from the town Friday said, “The environmental site assessment included an investigation of the history of the property before it became a public park. Through aerial photographs and oral histories, the consultant discovered that at one time there were three fuel tanks on site as well as some trash heaps. While the fuel tanks were removed decades ago and the trash heaps buried, the Town asked for further testing.

“The consultant took soil and groundwater samples last month that led to the discovery of the elevated contaminant levels in soil in this area, where the trash  heaps were located. This assessment included the existing playground area, where no elevated concentrations of these contaminants were identified.”

The statement did not show any details or amounts regarding the chemicals and contaminated soil.

“We know our community cares deeply about not only health and safety, but also our environment, as do we, and we look forward to sharing more information from experts as it becomes available to us,” Blue said.

Years ago part of the property may have been used for storing recreation and public works trucks and maintenance equipment.

Two years ago, a Duke graduate student found contaminated soil in three Durham parks. All had waste disposal areas where trash was burned in incinerators and the soil showed lead levels higher than EPA safety guidelines. Testing was expanded to five parks where lead contamination was found. NCDEQ and EPA are now involved and contaminated park play areas remain fenced off.  J.B.