Concern grows over Memorial Field’s toxic soil

There is growing concern in Mount Vernon over soil containing toxic chemicals that was dumped in Memorial Field. Officials from the DEC visited the park twice this year and detailed in reports that

News 12 Staff

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Dec 11, 2015, 3:50 AM

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Updated 3,303 days ago

There is growing concern in Mount Vernon over soil containing toxic chemicals that was dumped in Memorial Field.

Officials from the DEC visited the park twice this year and detailed in reports that they found a number of toxins in the soil, including coal, slag and ash.

Resident Gerald Wilson says he has to look at the dilapidated park every day and now has to worry about the toxic contaminants being dumped there.

"It's not a dumpster," he says. "What are you dumping? How can you use this as a dumping station?"

The park has been closed for more than six years and endured two administrations trying to renovate it.

Due to the report, Mayor-elect Richard Thomas is calling for all work at the park to be stopped immediately until he can get a handle on what's going on with the renovation project.

"We're going to work as hard as ever to make sure we get this restored with speed and precision," he says.

Thomas takes office in less than a month.