TESTS SHOW FR BURKE PARK SOIL SCARE WAS ONE OFF

Date Published: 18-Jun-2008

Fr Burke Park in the city is safe to remain open to the public. 28 soil samples from 14 locations in the park indicate high levels of lead, arsenic and zinc found in the soil last month were consistent with the planting of trees and shrubs at the edge of the park.Soil from deep underground was unearthed during the planting of trees and shrubs in Fr Burke Park this Spring and some samples of soil tested positive for high levels of lead, arsenic and zinc in early May. Director of Services Tom Hernon told city councillors this week that some samples taken from the edge of the park beside where the trees were planted showed high levels of the minerals. But samples taken from within the green space yielded different results.