Lead in Soil Closes St. Paul Athletic Fields

ST. PAUl, Minn. - The St. Paul parks and recreation department has closed the athletic fields at the Oxford Community Center after tests revealed contaminated soil.

Following several tests, the soil was confirmed to have hazardous materials with levels of contaminates above the acceptable recreational soil reference -- specifically lead. The fields will remain closed until additional tests are conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health and the city’s environmental consultants.

The hazardous materials were found shortly after construction and renovation work began on the athletic fields.

Initial tests discovered suspect materials in the soil that were located on both the upper and lower fields of the site. Following the findings from the lower field, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was contacted and a voluntary inspection and cleanup program application was submitted. Additional tests have confirmed the materials contain contaminates, specifically high levels of lead, that are considered potentially hazardous.

The tests do not affect the indoor facility of the Oxford Community Center, so indoor use will continue..

A community meeting will be held April 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss the status of the project and most current related information. Residents with questions about lead can visit the Ramsey County Public Health website: http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph