Conway Field and Playground Contamination

Conway Field and Playground

Soil testing conducted in preparation for the proposed renovation of Conway field has revealed contamination in the soil requiring its closure. Samples taken at various locations and depths identified contamination including lead and PCBs, some of which exceeded regulatory limits. In accordance with State and federal guidelines and at the recommendation of our consultant, additional testing was conducted. Currently, the City is working with a Licensed Site Professional as well as the MA Department of Environmental Protection and EPA to continue site review and consider remediation options. The field will remain closed until that remediation is complete. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Updates and Alerts

Weekly Construction and Air Monitoring Updates

Additional Updates

May 24, 2022

Conway Park Ribbon Cutting on May 27^th, 2022

Conway Park, one of Somerville’s most heavily used athletic field, has been remediated and renovated and will open at 11 am on May 27th. In 2017 it was discovered to be contaminated and a 5-year long public process began with the goal of remediating the soil and creating a safe and vibrant community space. In addition to the new park and field, there are many important features that you cannot see and that were designed in preparation for climate change:

This project was funded and completed in partnership with the US EPA and the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
5,271 tons of contaminated soils removed by EPA.
3,443 tons removed by the City.
A total of 8,714 tons of soils remediated!
Installation of a subsurface storm water infiltration system adds 3,743 cubic feet of storage. By reducing the impervious area, re-grading the field, and adding the storm water collection and infiltration system, the new design significantly reduces peak discharge for 2-, 10-, 25-, and 100-year storm events.
The cap of the site is a plant-based infill synthetic turf system, which has lower temps than crumb rubber and will serve baseball and soccer .
Preservation of the existing plaza trees the addition 64 NEW native trees to create shade for park users.
Energy efficient new lighting which minimizes energy use and spillage into nearby homes.

Please come celebrate a great example of an extraordinary partnership that has created a true “performance landscape!”

September 23, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed the second phase of the project this week. In total, they removed an estimated 5,500 tons of PCB-highly-contaminated soils. Phase 3 involves the management of additional soils by the City’s contractor to install support structures and utilities and prepare the site for field installation. Once that is complete, Phase 4 will construct the new playing field and refurbish the park.

May 14, 2021

Construction Underway

The groundbreaking for the remediation and renovation of Conway Park was held on Thursday May 6, 2021. Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, EPA Region 1 Acting Deputy Regional Administrator Deb Sarzo made brief remarks to kick of the project. Also in attendance were:

Gary Lipson, EPA on-site coordinator
Erik Johnson, MA DEP
George Naslas, Licensed Site Professional, Weston and Sampson
George Proakis, Director of OSPCD, City of Somerville
Arn Franzen, Senior Planner, PSUF, City of Somerville
Andrew Louw, Project Manager, PSUF, City of Somerville

The City is excited to see this important project moving forward. After being closed for almost three years, we hope to have the new field and playground back open for use by the public in Spring 2022.

April 20, 2021

Construction Underway

Beginning April 20, 2021 the City’s contractor, Quirk Construction, is mobilizing at Conway Park. The remediation and renovation project is planned to begin within the coming weeks. Please be advised that the Park, including the playground area, will be closed throughout the construction period. Please contact Andrew Louw (alouw@somervillema.gov) with any questions.

March 16, 2021

Conway Field Safety & Construction Public Meeting, March 24

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, and City staff invite you to a virtual public meeting to discuss remediation at Conway Field. Representatives from the EPA and DEP will detail the site cleanup plans, safety precautions, and construction and address any questions or concerns.

The overall cleanup process will include preparing the site for remediation, removing soils, preparing the site for final field construction, and restoring the site for public use. Cleanup activities are expected to begin later this spring and continue through 2021. After the site is cleaned, an athletic field will be installed.

The meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. To register, please visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3550339952103648527

Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, or Nepali is available upon advance request (at least five business days advance notice needed) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings should contact Nency Salamoun in advance at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

March 1, 2021

EPA Factsheet on the Cleanup of Conway Field

August 31, 2020

EPA to Coordinate with City on Cleanup of Conway Field Contamination

EPA to conduct phase 1 removal of PCBs and other contaminants, investing $3 million in matching funds into site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Somerville have signed an Administrative Order of Consent in which the EPA has committed to coordinate with the City on remediation of Conway Field in accordance with federal and state environmental regulations.

Conway Field and the adjacent splash pad were closed in 2018 after soil testing conducted in preparation for the proposed renovation of the park revealed PCB and lead contaminants, some exceeding regulatory limits. Under the agreement, EPA will conduct the first phase of soil removal, addressing the areas with the highest contamination at an estimated cost of $3 million. Under the guidance of the City’s Licensed Site Professional (LSP) and via EPA-approved plans, the City will then complete remaining soil removals and remediation work at an estimated matching cost of $3 million.

The site is now managed under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) and is also regulated under EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The City is legally obligated to remediate the site. Conway Field will remain closed to the public during remediation. Conway Playground, which was also tested in 2018 and a portion of which was found safe to remain open, must also close during remediation.

“I want to thank the EPA for this significant assistance to help us remediate and restore this field, which is such an important asset for our city’s youth and all our athletes. Without this substantial contribution of funding, expertise, and remediation assistance – especially amid the current financial crisis – a timely return of this field to community use would be in jeopardy,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

Project Schedule

Pending a City Council vote and any unforeseen circumstances, the City will begin preparing the site for remediation as early as this fall. Soil removal is expected to begin in the spring of 2021. It is estimated that remediation will be complete by late summer 2021 and reconstruction of the field will be finished by fall 2021. A new splash pad will also be installed and the playground will be refurbished. Due to the contaminants and remediation requirements, there are unfortunately a number of trees that must be removed. All will be replaced and some additional trees will be planted as well. The target date for completion of the entire project pending any unforeseen circumstances is late fall 2021.

The area will prepared as early as this fall with an access road for construction vehicles, security fencing, and dust control measures. In spring 2021, EPA contractors will then remove contaminated soil to a range of depths to remediate identified areas of contamination as dictated by federal guidelines. A contractor for the City will then remove the top 18 inches of soil across the entire site, again according to state and federal guidelines. The contractor will then cap the site by installing a geotextile barrier and new soil and then build a synthetic turf field on top. Plans for the remediation and capping with a synthetic turf field were previously approved by DEP and EPA. A City Council vote on requested construction funds is pending. All preparation and remediation activities will be coordinated and overseen by the City’s Licensed Site Professional.

Community Updates and Engagement

To date, the City has held four community meetings on the Conway site, the most recent on December 16, 2019. The Administrative Order of Consent triggers both the remediation work and additional deadlines. Neighborhood outreach and a public meeting to detail project plans will be conducted jointly with EPA according to EPA timelines this fall. The City will also hold additional community discussion on the field reconstruction and splash pad designs this fall.

Finalized Conway Field Public Involvement Plan (PIP) Released

Learn more and view the finalized PIP at www.somervillema.gov/PIP.

Conway Field Public Involvement Plan (PIP) Draft Available; Comment Period Open Through June 19

On May 21, 2018, the City of Somerville, Massachusetts received a petition from residents in Somerville requesting that this disposal site be designated a Public Involvement Plan (PIP) site. The draft PIP is now available at www.SomervilleMA.gov/PIP.

Public comments on the plan will be accepted through June 19, 2019. Comments will be addressed and the PIP finalized by July 19, 2019.

Learn More & View PIP Draft

Conway Field Contamination and PIP Plan Information Session 5/29

A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park will be held on Wednesday, May 29, at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) at 220 Washington Street, at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the Meeting is to present the Draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) for the Site in accordance with 310 CMR 40.1405 (5)(a)(2), provide an update with respect to Site activities, and to solicit feedback from the public. Licensed site professionals Weston & Sampson and City staff will discuss the PIP plan, testing results, and next steps as well as answer questions. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who have oversight over the testing and mitigation process, are also expected. The PIP will be available for review starting May 30 at www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield and at the Information/Reference Desks at all three Somerville Public Library branches.

Background

Soil testing conducted in preparation of the proposed renovation of Conway field revealed contamination in the soil requiring Conway Park’s closure. Samples taken at various locations and depths identified contamination including lead and PCBs, some of which exceeded regulatory limits. The Site is now managed under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan and is also regulated under both the MCP and EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

For more information or to sign up for the Conway Park email list, visit www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Kreyol is available upon request (at least 5 business days advance notice please) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs atsomerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 (617-666-3311 from cell phones).

Conway Park & Playground Interim Update 5.17.19

Dear community members,

This is just a quick update to let you know about the upcoming Conway Park Contamination and PIP Plan Information Session on Wednesday, May 29.

Evaluation of the site and review of mitigation options is continuing, and we are also reviewing options for opening the water feature for the season as well. A more in-depth update on our progress will be sent soon.

But for now, we wanted to be sure that you have time to mark your calendars for the meeting. Details are as follows:

Conway Park Contamination and PIP Plan Information Session, Wed. 5/29

Licensed site professionals Weston & Sampson and City staff will discuss the PIP plan, testing results and activities, and next steps as well as answer questions. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who have oversight over the testing and mitigation process, are also expected.

The PIP will be available for review starting May 30 at www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield and at the Information/Reference Desks at all three Somerville Public Library branches.

Background:

For more information or to sign up for the Conway Park email list, visit www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield.

Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Kreyol is available upon request (at least 5 business days advance notice please) by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 (617-666-3311 from cell phones).

Best regards,

Arn

Contact: As always, we are happy to answer your additional questions. Please feel free to contact me, Director of Parks and Open Space Arn Franzen at 617-625-6600 x2545 or afranzen@somervillema.gov.

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Conway Park & Playground Update 1/10/2019

Dear community members,

This is just a quick update to let you know about the upcoming Conway Park Contamination and PIP Plan Information Session on Wednesday, May 29.

Meeting Videos & Presentations

Andrew Louw
Project Manager

Hours

Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Phone

(617) 625-6600 ext 2545

Email

alouw@somervillema.gov

Address

City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143

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