Areas of Chapman Field Park temporarily closed for soil testing
(MIAMI, June 4, 2014) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department, in collaboration with Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and in consultation with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, has closed the baseball fields at Chapman Field Park after recent samplings conducted by DERM revealed higher than normal concentrations of arsenic in the soil. The closure has been implemented out of an abundance of caution and as a proactive measure, while PROS and DERM conduct further testing. Upon completion of the additional testing, DERM will determine the appropriate corrective actions to ensure that the park is safe for the public’s use and enjoyment. Chapman Field Park was sampled as a part of the ongoing effort to screen all of PROS’s parks for potential contamination. A total of 192 Miami-Dade Park sites have been evaluated and determined to be safe for public use to date.
Park users can expect to see signage announcing restricted, closed areas, as well as fencing closing off those areas to the public. The canoe launch and dog-friendly areas of the park and adjoining parking and walkways will remain open.
Call 305-755-7834 for additional information.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.
Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.
To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call (305) 755-7848.