Owen Park's dirt is dirty

Alex Olson

Dirty dirt?
 
Dirty dirt?

You may want to reconsider the five-second rule if you’re picnicking in the area of Owen Park. According to the Leader-Telegram, “Soil contaminated from a factory that fueled Eau Claire's streetlights more than a century ago has been found in Owen Park.”

There appears to be no immediate danger for park visitors as the contaminated soil is currently covered by a foot of sand placed within the dirt. The concern is that this topsoil will eventually erode and make human contact with the contaminated portions more likely. The Leader-Telegram explains…

… if the top layer of sand is disturbed or wears away, the hazard would be from people coming in contact with contaminated dirt and then eating without washing their hands.

Leader-Telegram, 6-22-2011

Thursday night Municipal Band Concerts in Owen Park: still clean.
 
Thursday night Municipal Band
Concerts in Owen Park: still clean.

The L-T also mentioned that Xcel Energy has begun taking soil samples by digging various wells and will begin a slow cleanup process next year.

The danger as of now is apparently very low, and citizens shouldn’t be afraid to visit with their picnic baskets, hand-woven blankets, dogs, and children in tow. In fact, other areas where old factories used to extrude contaminates were higher up on Xcel’s cleanup list and are already receiving treatment/cleaning. Owen Park will be going under the knife soon enough, though.    

Go Green is sponsored by:

Xcel Energy
Eau Claire

Go Green is sponsored by:

Xcel Energy
Eau Claire