Should Palmetto Bay Parks be tested for contamination - a most unexpected development in Miami - as reported in the Miami Herald

Every now and then something happens somewhere else that causes you to take note and consider testing. Such an event was reported in the Miami Herald, Tuesday, August 20, 2019 edition (front page section, page 1A): Report on Beckham stadium site shows soil contaminated by unsafe levels of arsenic, by Joey Flechas (and no, it wasn't the unrelated but equally eye catching article located below the fold, same page entitled: "Hurricanes may spin a more aggressive population of spiders", new study shows, by Alex Harris - but I reviewed that article as well) but back to our parks:

The Miami Herald reports that the site proposed for the Soccer stadium and shopping mall (at current Melreese Golf Course) is far more toxic than previously expected, with arsenic contamination levels reaching more than twice the legal limit and surface-level soil samples containing debris that poses a “physical hazard.”  This is troubling more than for the proposed use. It is troubling for the ongoing use as a golf course. As reported:

A new environmental analysis has shed more light on the large extent of the environmental problems in the dirt at Melreese golf course, Miami’s only city-owned golf course and the potential site for a sprawling $1 billion commercial and stadium complex that would serve as the venue for home games played by David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami.

A consultant hired by the team, environmental firm EE&G, recently completed soil testing that found contamination levels at twice the allowable limit for arsenic. Barium and lead levels also exceeded legal limits. The crud, including debris at shallow depths, kept showing up over the course of more than 140 soil samples taken in recent months.

“The debris included fragments of tile, metal and glass, mixed with fine-grain sands, which often exhibited a rusty color,” reads a section from a 193-page portion of the consultant’s report. “Intermittent wood fragments were encountered along with concrete and other non-native materials, but not evidence of municipal garbage.”

Read the entire article to gain all the insight. Now I realize that Melreese is located basically adjacent to Miami International Airport where there is historic and heavy commercial use ongoing, which is far different from any of our parks.  But then again, we did inherit many of our park land from Miami-Dade County which has been engaged in remediation issues at County owned & operated Chapman Field located in the neighboring Pinecrest/Coral Gables area. And Coral Reef Park is currently undergoing demolition of the long-red tagged field house, which is located as part of the Tot lot/playground - (note that the playground is closed during the demolition for public safety).

Just to be safe. We (Palmetto Bay officials) have historically tested the water at the Palmetto Bay Bark Park to monitor safety.  Perhaps we should test the remainder of our Palmetto Bay Parks, just to provide assurances to our residents in general, Park users and neighbors that we are not playing in an unsafe toxic area.

Late Tuesday (8/20/2019) update - Melreese Golf Course ordered closed temporarily - RELATED UPDATE TO MELREESE STORY: please read the Miami Herald online: Miami closes Melreese after tests on Beckham stadium site reveal unsafe arsenic levels by Joey Flechas and Adriana Brasileiro:

Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez ordered the closure of Melreese golf course, Miami’s only city-owned golf course, at the end of the day Tuesday, one day after an environmental analysis revealed high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in the soil where David Beckham plans to build a stadium to host his upcoming Major League Soccer team Inter Miami.

Click on the link above to read the entire updated story.

Miami-Dade County Parks public meeting to update the community regarding the remediation plan for Chapman Field Park set for Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Deering Estate Visitor Center

You ask, I find and post.  Information regarding the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department public meeting to update the community regarding the remediation plan for Chapman Field Park. 

Many of us have been demanding restoration of the beloved Chapman Field public park and ball fields for 4 years! 

County inaction has left the park abandoned and desolate. You can see the effects of decay as you take the long walk to the dog park.  

The youth Khoury Leagues, adult leagues and Palmetto High school have not had the use of critically needed ball fields., which we asked to be restored. The municipalities of Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest have been shouldering a heightened burden in their parks.  This must be made a priority for the parks Department. 

Please attend this meeting to speak up.

The meeting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. at the Deering Estate Visitor Center, 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami.

For more information, contact Danette Perez, Miami-Dade Parks Communications Division, at 305-755-7827 or Danette.Perez@miamidade.gov.

Editor's Note: Chapman Field should be a partner in the local County/Municipal partnership / collaboration on a vibrant parks system. All the local county parks need some love - Chapman Field, People's Dock & Sadowski. Participate.

Public meeting regarding Chapman field park - located on our Palmetto Bay north east boundary - Wed., Aug 17, 6 PM. The meeting will be held at the Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay

Don't forget our County Parks.  Palmetto Bay may be the "Village of Parks" but it is also home to County Parks including the Deering Estate and Bill Sadowski Park/Preserve.  There is an important meeting scheduled for Wed., Aug 17, at 6 PM to take place at the Deering Estate. Chapman field is located in Coral Gables (on the Palmetto Bay/Coral Gables boundary along Old Cutler Road at 136 Street).

Here is information concerning a very important meeting - this does affect our parks - our County Parks. These County Parks services are brought to you in large part through our Countywide tax bill.

MIAMI (August 08, 2016) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, in collaboration with the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and Miami-Dade County Health Department/ Florida Department of Health, will be hosting a Public Meeting regarding the environmental findings, the health evaluation for Chapman Field Park and the park’s corrective action plan on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 6 p.m. at the Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami, FL 33157.
The meeting will address the community’s concerns over the temporary closure of the athletic fields at Chapman Field Park after samplings conducted by DERM revealed higher than normal concentrations of arsenic in the soil.  To date a total of 215 Miami-Dade Parks sites have been evaluated and determined to be safe for current public use.

Miami-Dade Parks is a world-class parks system supported by the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade and focused on Placemaking, Health and Fitness, and Conservation and Stewardship.

# # #

Frank Balzebre
Office of Mayor Carlos Gimenez

Feb 20 - Community Day - PLANES, PLANTS, PESTS and PEOPLE are featured at the 2016 USDA‐ARS Community Day at Chapman Field.

Mark your calendars and plan on attending - Saturday, February 20, 2016 - 10:00 AM until 3:0 PM

The USDA has scheduled an outstanding opportunity to see what goes on at the USDA land off Old Cutler. This is a free family/community day. I recommend that you plan to attend.  Official information is posted on the flyer posted here or CLICK HERE to view the official website.
Come on out to the USDA research facility.  See how agricultural research and experiments are done, and learn the fascinating aviation history of this property (info below from USDA).

>This event will feature presentations by Dr. Ray McGuire on the famous aviator Victor Chapman for whom the station was named, Dr. Javier Ortega on David Fairchild plant explorations in the Caribbean, and Dr. David Kuhn on the Plant Genetics Programs at SHRS.
 
> Plant Sales, Food Vendors, Demonstrations, Children’s Activities, and Educational Displays will all be on site for your education and enjoyment.

> Trolley tours of the over 200-acre experimental groves and extensive plant collections.

> The USDA-ARS station will also be distributing FREE ‘Niu Leka’ (Fiji Dwarf) Coconut Palm seeds as long as supplies last. 

PLEASE NOTE: The USDA advises that they cannot guarantee germination success. 

LOCATION: USDA‐ARS, 13601 Old Cutler Rd, Miami. (entrance off Deering Bay Dr.)