With spring beginning next week, East Side Park will be partially closed until the state can remove pockets of lead-contaminated soil. (Photos by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Workers are removing lead-contaminated soil from the site of a former community garden on Marion Street as part of the remediation.
The contamination was first discovered in 2019 when a Marion Street homeowner, who is also an environmental site remediation specialist, found levels of lead above the NJDEP Soil Remediation Standard on his property.
A 2019 NJDEP map showing lead contamination hot spots in the Marion Street neighborhood. (click to enlarge)
The discovery prompted the closure of the community garden on Marion Street.
The ensuing investigation included soil sampling at several residential properties and East Side Park, where NJDEP confirmed the presence of “historic fill” that included lead contamination in soil, according to a project fact sheet emailed to redbankgreen in response to questions in December.
“Historic fill” is material imported to an area and deposited to raise the topographic elevation in low-lying areas and was used extensively throughout many areas in New Jersey, the fact sheet reads. The lead appears to have been brought in decades ago as fill containing slag waste from a smelting operation, DEP officials have stated in the past.
Fourteen properties were identified to contain historic fill with lead contamination above the SRS of 200 mg/kg, the fact sheet reads.
The fact sheet continues with the following details:
“To be protective of human health and to prevent direct contact with contaminated material, the top 2 feet of soil/historic fill with concentrations of lead exceeding 200 mg/kg will be excavated and removed from identified areas on the fourteen impacted properties, which includes 13 residential properties and a portion of East Side Park. Following excavation, an orange, high-visibility geotextile fabric demarcation barrier will be placed in areas where lead contamination above 200 mg/kg will remain at depths below 2 feet.
All properties will then be restored close to their original condition.
It is anticipated that restoration work will continue through the Spring of 2026.”
The closure of the park means half of the town’s four playgrounds will likely be closed for at least the start of spring. The playground at Marine Park is undergoing a massive upgrade as part of the Marine Park Improvement Project.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
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