Park closures: Baltimore, Optimist, Vassault

Vassault Park

You may have read it here before, but it’s worth repeating: Vassault Park’s grass will look beautiful this summer. And unfortunately the grassy area will be closed. The state Department of Ecology cleaned up contaminated soil in the park last year, and the grass needs time to grow back. The park will be that much better when it reopens.

Vassault’s parking lot also will be closed to public access Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. Vassault Park is the site of the start and finish line of the annual Sound to Narrows run, and the lot needs to be used for staging. The closure will last until the last runner leaves the park Saturday, probably around 10:30 or 11 am. You can find out more about the run at the websitewww.soundtonarrows.org.

The Department of Ecology has an ongoing effort to clean up soil contaminated by toxic metals as a result of the old Asarco copper smelter’s operation. The Tacoma Smelter Plume covers 1,000 square miles in Pierce, Thurston and King counties. You can read more about the cleanup process – and get information about your neighborhood – at dirtalert.info.
This summer, Ecology will clean up the gravel trail area at Baltimore Park and the ball field and a small play area at Optimist Park. Metro Parks is working with Ecology to protect trees in the area. The cleanup areas will open in 2016 after the grass has grown back.

Baltimore & Optimist Parks

This summer, Ecology will clean up the gravel trail area at Baltimore Park and the ball field and a small play area at Optimist Park. Metro Parks is working with Ecology to protect trees in the area. The cleanup areas will open in 2016 after the grass has grown back.

If you’d like to learn more, you can attend the Department of Ecology’s neighborhood meeting from 6 to 7:30 pm Thursday, June 11, at Kandle Park Police Substation, 5140 N. 26th St.