Hey, y’all we are sharing a July 12 press release from the Town of Chapel Hill because we frequently cover playgrounds and splash pads, and will update this as we learn more. The area in question is around the public art between Camelot and the parking lot.
The Town of Chapel Hill has closed one section of Community Center Park because of elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and petroleum compounds discovered in the soil. The Town is working with environmental experts to determine next steps. This assessment included the playground area, where no elevated concentrations of these contaminants were identified.
The Town of Chapel Hill has closed one section of Community Center Park because of elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and petroleum compounds discovered in the soil. The northeast corner of the property, near the Estes Drive entrance, is blocked off with temporary materials and signage. The Town is working on a plan to quickly install more permanent fencing and signage.
This discovery came during a Town consultant’s environmental site assessment, which is part of the initial planning for an inclusive playground at the park. While the consultant expects to share a full draft assessment in the coming weeks, late Wednesday afternoon they alerted Town staff to early results showing the elevated levels in the northeast corner. After conversations with the consultant, the Town closed the area this morning.
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.”
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 playground area, where no elevated concentrations of these contaminants were identified.
“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.