Willow Park Cleanup of Lead-Contaminated Soils - Completed!
Welcome. This page provides updates on the investigation and cleanup of lead-contaminated soils discovered at Willow Park. Willow Park is located on Willow Street, between 13th and 14th Streets, in West Oakland.
Related Information:
What's Next With Willow Park? - Community Meeting Scheduled
Cleanup Is Complete!
- In March of 2004, during initial site preparation for the renovation of Willow Park, surface soil samples from 16 locations on park grounds were analyzed for contaminants.
- Nine of the 16 locations were found to have high lead levels, defined as greater than 200 parts per million (ppm). Concentrations at these nine locations ranged from 230 ppm to 2800 ppm. All nine locations with high lead levels were located on the eastern half of the park.
- From discussions with long-time residents in the Willow Park neighborhood, as well as historical aerial photos, the City has learned that the current location of the park was previously occupied by large homes and a scrap yard.
- The eastern half of the park was closed. Fencing and signage was installed to restrict access.
- Additional surface soil samples were collected at 30-foot intervals across the entire park and the City received the laboratory results. The results confirm the earlier findings.
- A community meeting was held April 22, 2004, from 6 to 8 pm, at Mt. Zion Church. Specific information about potential lead hazards was discussed, and residents had the opportunity to provide input regarding the on-going investigation and cleanup efforts at the park.
- The Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provided free blood lead screenings for neighborhood children on May 20, 2004, at Mt. Zion Church.
- Read the December 2004 flyer for more information (pdf format)
- The City analyzed the lab data from additional sampling, and formulated cleanup options.
- Additional lead-contaminated soil removal was performed in February 2005.
- Final cleanup activities were completed in February.
- The remaining soils are safe, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued a letter on June 8, 2005, confirming that "no further action is required for the Site".
If you would like to speak directly with someone regarding these issues, please contact Mark Gomez, Environmental Program Supervisor, at (510) 238-7314 or mmgomez@oaklandnet.com. For more information on sources of lead and the potential health effects of lead poisoning, please contact the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 567-8280.
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