Tree planting at contaminated park prompts concern

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DETROIT (AP) — The presence of workers in protective suits
preparing contaminated parkland in southwest Detroit for tree plantings
has upset some residents who have sought for years to have problems at
the site addressed.
The soil at Bridgeview Park is contaminated with chemicals including arsenic and lead, The Detroit News
reported (http://bit.ly/1vQZSmv ). Plantings
at the park are among many across the city this year by
The Greening of Detroit, which says new trees will help remove
contamination.
On Monday, a dozen residents met with officials
from the nonprofit to voice their frustrations, including potential
health threats caused by digging, possible increases in the local rodent
population and their lack of input on the project.
"This is
unconscionable — against humanity," resident Emma Lockridge said. "I say
you’re doing this only because we’re black people. You would never go
into Ferndale and do this. You would never go into Southfield and do
this, go into a Birmingham playground and just start digging and
treating people like guinea pigs."
Greening of Detroit said new trees and plants would remove contamination, benefiting the community.
"We
believe it is very important to build a strong relationship with the
communities we work in to ensure they understand and are aware of the
purpose of our projects," spokeswoman Trish Hubbell told The Associated
Press. "We did not acquire access to the Bridgeview Park until February,
and engagement was difficult over the winter months, but we understand
and value input from community residents."
Greening of Detroit
conducted its own soil testing in recent weeks to confirm the property
is contaminated, The Detroit News reported.
"That’s why we haven’t
used this field in 10 years — because they said it was contaminated,"
resident Sharon Moore said. "So if you’re uprooting or whatever you’re
doing, it has an impact on us."
Bridgeview Park is owned by
Detroit Public Schools. It was the site of Jeffries Elementary School,
which was torn down in 1991. Jennifer Mrozowski, a spokeswoman for the
district, said the property previously was secured with fencing to
prevent trespassing.
"We have asked Greening of Detroit to
resecure the fence and place a sign on the property to inform neighbors
of the project," Mrozowski said.
A state Department of
Environmental Quality official said the agency was unaware of
contamination at Bridgeview Park but that owners are obligated to take
action.
"You don’t just put up a fence and say ‘I’m done here,’"
said Gerald Tiernan, an acting district supervisor with the DEQ. "If
they know a property is contaminated, they can’t just walk away."
After
the school was torn down, the lot became filled with debris and
waist-high grass. An effort took place to clean up the area, backed by
financial contributions from Michigan Consolidated Gas and some other
businesses. It opened as Bridgeview Park in 1994.

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