The Department of Ecology and the City of Seattle sent out notices in mid-September to inform neighbors about another investigation being done at Gasworks Park to determine sediment contamination.
This means parts of the park will be closed for about seven weeks while environmental scientists and drilling crews sink test wells and examine the soil and groundwater. The mailed out notices promised further notification when test results are available to the public. More information might be available also at the Dept. of Ecology’s website
This study follows a history of studies and tests at the park – which sits on the site of a plant that converted coal and oil into manufactured gas from the early 1900’s to 1956. The Gasworks Park uplands underwent an environmental cleanup in 2000 and 2001 – after one Fremont Chamber Board Member counted over 27 studies over a twenty year period.
For more information on the drilling, contact David Grave, the Seattle Parks & Recreation Project Manager. For information on the Gasworks Sediment Area Project, contact John Keeling, Department of Ecology Site Manager or Judith Noble, Seattle Public Utilities Project Lead.