Part of the Community Center Park property is being closed after a site assessment revealed higher levels of toxic compounds in the soil, according to the Town of Chapel Hill.
A release from the local government on Friday said it closed the northeast corner of the property, near its entrance off Estes Drive, with signage before permanent fencing will be installed to prevent people from approaching the area. The discovery of the materials — which are described as elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and petroleum compounds — came as the town completed a site assessment as an initial step for an inclusive playground.
On Friday, colorful markers wrapped around signs and shrubs to mark the area off to visitors. A sign sat toward the entry road to the park explaining the closure of the plot, which also borders the nearby Bolin Creek and the Camelot Village housing community.
The current playground at Community Center Park was part of the assessment — but the Town of Chapel Hill said no elevated concentrations of lead, cadmium, or petroleum were found there.
“The safety of our community members and staff members is our top priority,” Town Manager Chris Blue said in Friday’s release. “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.
“We know our community cares deeply about not only health and safety, but also our environment, as do we,” he added, “and we look forward to sharing more information from experts as it becomes available to us.”
Part of the environmental site assessment included an investigation into the land’s history — which is when the town said its consultant conducting the review found the site previously had three fuel tanks and trash heaps on it long before it became a public park. The tanks were removed and the trash heaps were ultimately buried, with the release saying it happened “decades ago.” Still, the consultant alerted town staff once the presence of the dumping ground was discovered, and the town requested soil and groundwater testing. According to Friday’s release, the samples from June came back with elevated contaminant levels in the area where the trash heaps were located.
The town says despite the closure of the one area, Community Center Park’s amenities are still open and available to the public. No other safety recommendations for the area are being made as of Friday beyond avoiding the area that will be fenced off and identified with signage.
Featured photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.
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