IRONDALE — Irondale Park was closed on Tuesday because of fuel oil contamination.
It was placed on a state cleanup list last week.
In March, the state Department of Ecology told the Jefferson Public Works Department that weathered fuel oil had been found on the 13-acre site in Irondale.
Ecology had tested a soil sample at the park at 562 E. Moore St., on Nov. 3, 2005, according to the March letter.
Ecology conducted the test in response to a complaint that the park had visible oil contamination.
Matt Tyler, county Parks and Recreation manager said Wednesday that a primary reason the park was closed was its placement on a state toxic site cleanup list.
“One of the main things that spurred us was the placement on the Puget Sound Initiative,” Tyler said.
The initiative, led by Gov. Chris Gregoire, provides state funds to clean toxic sites on the Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Gregoire is expected to announce cleanup funding amounts for each site next Wednesday.
Tested before purchase
Jefferson County bought Irondale Park for $582,000 in 2001.
Before the purchase, the the Jefferson County Public Health Department tested the soil in several spots, said Tyler.
There was industrial activity at the site — once the location of the Irondale Iron and Steel Plant — from 1881 to 1919, he said.
The department concluded that no further clean-up actions would be necessary.
“It is the conclusion of this site hazard assessment that this site does not pose a significant threat to human health or the environment,” said the Dec. 28, 2001 report.
Tyler said he didn’t know why oil was found in 2005 but not in 2001.
“Something changed on the site to cause the fuel oil to start leaking,” he said.
He supposed an underground oil tank might have rusted through, allowing oil to seep out into the ground.
But he said that is one thing tests will determine.
