Yakima School District sells arsenic, lead contaminated dirt to Kiwanis Park
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- A day at the park in Yakima could expose you to contamination. KIMA learned dirt used to renovate part of Kiwanis park contains arsenic and lead and must be removed. It also turns out the dirt came from Eisenhower High School.
People enjoying Kiwanis Park had no idea the dirt near the newly built fields is contaminated.
"It's a little alarming," said Kiwanis Park visitor Mikki Spurgin.
"Cause if it happened here, where else could it have happened? Could've happened somewhere else," said Kiwanis Park visitor Pam Link.
We learned the dirt used to renovate part of Kiwanis Park came from Eisenhower High School. The Yakima School District sold it to be used here.
Yakima Parks and Recreation workers say the contaminated dirt was not used on the new baseball fields.
Up to 1,500 cubic yards of dirt laced with arsenic and lead was used to fill in the area around these ball fields.
Yakima City Manager Tony O'Rourke discusses the issue in a city memorandum.
It mentions Yakima's parks manager wasn't aware of the problem until last week and that it's the contractor's problem to fix.
We called the contractor and learned it's up to the school district to clean up the dirt.
The Department of Ecology determined contamination levels at the park are low to moderate. But, still violate the department's standards.
"We're working with our consultant through the Yakima School District and we're in the process of removing the soil. It will be replaced with suitable soils," Said Yakima School District Construction and Planning Principal Jim Wright.
When asked, the Yakima School District said it didn't know whether the dirt was tested prior to moving it to Kiwanis.
Jim Wright with the District says the work to remove the contaminated dirt is expected to start within a week.
Yakima engineers say all the major work at Kiwanis Park is complete. They don't expect the soil removal to cause any delays.
People enjoying Kiwanis Park had no idea the dirt near the newly built fields is contaminated.
"It's a little alarming," said Kiwanis Park visitor Mikki Spurgin.
"Cause if it happened here, where else could it have happened? Could've happened somewhere else," said Kiwanis Park visitor Pam Link.
We learned the dirt used to renovate part of Kiwanis Park came from Eisenhower High School. The Yakima School District sold it to be used here.
Yakima Parks and Recreation workers say the contaminated dirt was not used on the new baseball fields.
Up to 1,500 cubic yards of dirt laced with arsenic and lead was used to fill in the area around these ball fields.
Yakima City Manager Tony O'Rourke discusses the issue in a city memorandum.
It mentions Yakima's parks manager wasn't aware of the problem until last week and that it's the contractor's problem to fix.
We called the contractor and learned it's up to the school district to clean up the dirt.
The Department of Ecology determined contamination levels at the park are low to moderate. But, still violate the department's standards.
"We're working with our consultant through the Yakima School District and we're in the process of removing the soil. It will be replaced with suitable soils," Said Yakima School District Construction and Planning Principal Jim Wright.
When asked, the Yakima School District said it didn't know whether the dirt was tested prior to moving it to Kiwanis.
Jim Wright with the District says the work to remove the contaminated dirt is expected to start within a week.
Yakima engineers say all the major work at Kiwanis Park is complete. They don't expect the soil removal to cause any delays.
One moor thing !!!   Does the City of Yakimas  inspectors and engineering and Code enforcement Department HAVE A BRAIN !!!Â
That School new it was contaminated and should be accountable along with the Contractor .
 Everyone knows that 99% of the schools in yakima have soil contamination problems .
  ITS Been in the NEWS for last 6 years , The contractor should have a liabilities insurance to collect on and a Bond .The Tax payers of Yakima should be 100% clear of paying for this no brainier mistake Â
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW MUCH IS THAT GOING TO COST THE DISTRICT AND TAXPAYERS? YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY UNDER STAFFED AND UNDER PAID.. DO TO THIS ERRORÂ I THINK MAYBE THE ADMINISTRATORS AND SUCH SHOULD TAKE A PAY CUT TO CORRECT THIS MISTAKE.. WAY TO GO YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT.