Meeting Held To Address Toxic Miami Parks

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The City of Miami hosted a community meeting Tuesday evening to present the results of a toxicology study done performed on the soil in three parks.

The study was conducted by the Florida Department of Health after tests performed in August showed that some of the dirt in one area of the parking lot of Blanche Park in Coconut Grove was tainted with toxic metals, dioxins and arsenic six inches to a foot beneath the ground.

State health officials and county environmental managers told those in attendance that despite the contamination there was a low likelihood that anyone would get sick from it.

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff said for now Merrie Christmas Park and Douglas Park will remain closed. Blanche Park remains open because artificial turf in the park acts as a protective seal. Sarnoff added that all three parks will be cleaned up in the next year.