BELLINGHAM - Little Squalicum Park is open after initial cleanup work was completed at two toxic sites at the park, according to the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has overseen one aspect of the cleanup of contaminated materials from the park, at 640 Marine Drive, with the city's Public Works Department coordinating work at the other site with the state Department of Ecology.
In 2005, soil in the creek area of the park was found to contain toxic chemicals from the nearby Oeser wood treatment company. The EPA cleanup included removing contaminated material and rerouting Little Squalicum Creek into its historic creek channel.
An old landfill in the northwest corner of the park also was cleaned up, with waste and contaminated soil removed and disposed of at another facility.
The city's next step is to complete an environmental study of the landfill site to see if additional cleanup work is needed.
