EVERETT — A popular north Everett park is closing for several months starting Tuesday while work crews clear contaminated dirt left behind by a long-gone smelter.
The south portion of American Legion Memorial Park shut down for cleanup earlier this summer and now the rest is set to go off-limits. That includes the picnic shelter, playground, restrooms, American Legion Hall and ballfields. Legion Memorial Golf Course will stay open.
The whole park at 145 Alverson Blvd. should reopen next spring, but the job won’t be complete.
“We will need more funding to finish the work,” said Meg Bommarito, a project manager for the state Department of Ecology.
The smelter was located near the intersection of Broadway and East Marine View Drive, just downhill from where Legion Park is today. It only operated from 1894 until 1912. After it closed, homes gradually filled in most of the area.
Arsenic-laden smoke particles had rained down on a one-square-mile area nearby. The worst of the contamination was near the former smelter site.
The state started decontaminating the area after tests in the 1990s showed problems with the soil. The cleanup was on and off until 2009, when the state received a $44 million environmental settlement from Grupo Mexico, the company that acquired former smelter owner Asarco. In all, the company paid $188 million to cover costs at several sites in Washington.
Now the settlement money is running out.
The state has enough money for at least another year of removing contaminated soil and sampling, Bommarito said. The areas most contaminated with lead and arsenic from the smelter already have been addressed.
The project was supposed to have started a year ago, but was delayed.
To get it done, the state has contracted a company with experience doing environmental excavation, 3 Kings out of Battle Ground.
To date, the state has cleaned about 300 homes, but at least that many more might remain. Sampling will determine the exact number.
There is no immediate health hazard for people living in the area, officials say. Over the long term, however, ingesting dirt or dust containing arsenic can increase the risk of some cancers.
To be safe, people should take extra care to wash their hands, especially after working or playing outside. Other recommendations are using raised garden beds, wiping off pets’ paws when they come indoors and taking off shoes before entering a house.
“They’re really easy things people can do,” Bommarito said.
Crews closed the southern portion of the park, which includes the arboretum, July 20.
Extreme winter weather could push back next year’s reopening date.
Everett parks staff are working with state officials on plans to decontaminate two other nearby parks with elevated arsenic levels, city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said. No closures are expected until next year at Wiggums Hollow Park or Viola Oursler Overlook.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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