Toxic soil mound in FDR Park?
Donation protected
The city is proceeding with the FDR Park Master Plan, a plan which seeks to permanently change the landscape of this public park without adequate input from the people who live and use the park. The plan calls for the destruction of the current wetlands and meadow and the creation of 12 sports fields, 10 tennis courts, 8 basketball courts, 6 baseball fields and 4 acres of play space. Over 70 acres of land has already been leveled and old-growth trees demolished.
To raise the ground upon which build these fields will sit, soil removed as part of the Philadelphia airport expansion is going to be dumped in the current Meadow to create a 30 foot soil mound. Licensing and inspection has granted permanent licensing to this mound.
Site observations and other records indicate that fill material was placed on the Site historically, including material from the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant (formerly the Southeast Sewage Disposal Works), which appears to have been placed circa 1980. It appears that other filling episodes (associated with the construction of the rail line and the historical use of the site for agricultural purposes) also occurred on the Site in the past. We are concerned about the toxicity of this soil mound, and are raising money in order to have Fairway Labs test for heavy metals, fecal coliform, & fuel residue.
This is the soil that will go beneath the youth athletic fields. We should be certain it's safe.
These tests will cost $555. Any additional funds raised will be used to help the Coalition for the People’s Plan for FDR park and promote the cause, canvas the neighborhood and explore alternatives that align with the desires of the community, not
the self serving interests of the Mayor, and the Executive Directors of Philadelphia Parks and Recreations and Fairmount Park Conservancy. Together we can do this but we need a little help. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.
To raise the ground upon which build these fields will sit, soil removed as part of the Philadelphia airport expansion is going to be dumped in the current Meadow to create a 30 foot soil mound. Licensing and inspection has granted permanent licensing to this mound.
Site observations and other records indicate that fill material was placed on the Site historically, including material from the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant (formerly the Southeast Sewage Disposal Works), which appears to have been placed circa 1980. It appears that other filling episodes (associated with the construction of the rail line and the historical use of the site for agricultural purposes) also occurred on the Site in the past. We are concerned about the toxicity of this soil mound, and are raising money in order to have Fairway Labs test for heavy metals, fecal coliform, & fuel residue.
This is the soil that will go beneath the youth athletic fields. We should be certain it's safe.
These tests will cost $555. Any additional funds raised will be used to help the Coalition for the People’s Plan for FDR park and promote the cause, canvas the neighborhood and explore alternatives that align with the desires of the community, not
the self serving interests of the Mayor, and the Executive Directors of Philadelphia Parks and Recreations and Fairmount Park Conservancy. Together we can do this but we need a little help. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (2)
Lady Danni Morinich
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Kermit O
Beneficiary
Kermit O
Team member