Soil testing complete at Gill Street Park; lead removal plans in the works

The Town of Zebulon said soil testing is complete at Gill Street Park, where lead was discovered in the soil.

Zebulon town leaders temporarily closed Gill Street Park after elevated levels of lead were found during soil testing. WRAL Investigates has found that the site has had tests indicating glass, lead, and arsenic were found at the site more than a year ago. 

Gill Street Park has resided on a landfill since the 1960s. The 3.6-acre park currently has a playground, basketball court, picnic tables, grass, and landscaping.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality said the space has less than one foot of soil covering the waste and noted glass, metal, brick and porcelain as dangers. Lead was also found in concentrations above the NCDEQ residential standards.

Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Long said the town is working closely with the DEQ on next steps, now that soil testing is complete. 

"They are working to move faster on the remediation plan for this site, as well as the homes that were also impacted by the soil issue," she said. 

Long said she expects remediation projects to begin in the next nine months to one year, a faster timeline than originally planned for. 

"There have been a lot of discussions about how this park site has impacted some of our neighbors, and that's a little bit unique," Long said. "[I] think that conversation [and] some advocacy work on how our neighbors have been impacted has helped." 

NCDEQ said they expect a draft remedial action plan to be available for review by late summer or early fall. 

"Based on current site conditions, the proposed remediation approach is expected to include placement of a 12-inch clean soil cover over the delineated waste disposal area, implementation of land-use restrictions, and recording notices of environmental contamination for affected properties," NCDEQ representative Katherine Lucas said in a statement.

The Town is currently working on Phase 1 of a new park site, right around the corner from the current park. An environmental assessment at that site determined there was no need for more testing or evaluation. 

To help provide recreational activities while Gill Street Park is closed, the town has partnered with Mount Zion United Holy Church to offer outdoor basketball access. 

The church will host programs for families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, with plans to expand.