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.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Cuts Ribbon, Opens Fully Inclusive Playground at Community Center Park
Chapel Hill leaders, parks and recreation staff, and families in the disability community gathered to open the new playground on Wednesday.
NCDOT to Begin Resurfacing Highway 86 June 1; Overnight Delays Expected
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin resurfacing a part of North Carolina Highway 86 in Chapel Hill Monday, June 1. The work will take place between the intersections with Estes Drive and Franklin Street, through the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/South Columbia Street corridor. In a release, the Town of Chapel […]
Garbage Collection, Local Transit and More: How Memorial Day Will Impact Local Services
The observation of Memorial Day Monday, May 25 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Memorial Day is an official town holiday. Most town and other administrative offices will be closed. Residential trash will not be collected on Monday, with the make-up day […]
Blue Sky Robotics Expanding Chapel Hill Headquarters, Moving to Rosemary Street
Blue Sky Robotics, which has been headquartered in downtown Chapel Hill since its founding in 2023, will be moving to the Innovate Carolina Junction building at 136 East Rosemary Street. The company is currently located in the Hill Commercial Building on 142 East Franklin Street. In a presentation to the Chapel Hill Town Council Wednesday […]
During Bike Month, Chapel Hill Highlights Resources to Expand Bicycle Use and Improve Safety
Alongside the town's Vison Zero efforts through Vision Zero, Chapel Hill Transit offers trip coordination using its bus routes and greenways.
UNC Reports More Than $17 Million in Direct Economic Impact from Savannah Bananas Visit
According to a release from UNC, the recent visit from the Savannah Bananas to Chapel Hill generated an estimated $17.1 million.
No Tax Increases and Increased Spending Featured in Chapel Hill Staff's Proposed FY27 Budget
Following a year with improved revenues and a new town manager at the helm, the Town of Chapel Hill may go into the next fiscal year without a tax increase or significant cuts.
Town of Chapel Hill Names Alicia Arnold as Next Director of Housing & Community Development
The Town of Chapel Hill has named Alicia Arnold as its next Director of Housing & Community Development. Arnold’s first day on the job will be June 8. Arnold has spent the last 12 years working in the Wake County government, where she currently serves as the county’s Deputy Director of Housing Affordability and Community […]
Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National Honors
Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt has been recognized with two awards – one statewide and one national – in recognition of his service. Kleinschmidt received the North Carolina Guardianship Association’s Trailblazer Award last week in Asheville, recognizing his two terms as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge. In legal terms, guardianship […]
Chapel Hill Attempted Murder Investigation Leads to Arrest in Chatham County
Two weeks after a shooting injured one person outside a Chapel Hill apartment complex, local authorities say the suspect has been detained and charged. A release from the Chapel Hill Police Department confirmed the arrest of 22-year-old Jose Luis Enamorado Flores of Chatham County, saying he faces 21 different charges stemming from the Apr. 4 […]
›