Parks Dept. Proposes Massive Cleanup of Contaminated Chatsworth Park South

Beginning in December, truckloads of contaminated soil will be hauled out of Chatsworth Park South, east on Devonshire Street past the Rockpointe Condos, and north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the 118 Freeway, according to a draft cleanup plan.

And that will continue 9-to-12 hours a day for about 55 days.

The Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has sent its Remedial Action Plan to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control for approval. The highly detailed 62-page plan (see adjacent PDF) must also comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.

The soil is contaminated by lead and other chemicals as a result of its use as a skeet shooting range in the 1960s, prior to being acquired as a city park. The park has been closed since Valentine's Day, 2008. The recreation center recently reopened for limited activities, but may close again during the cleanup.

The Parks Department proposes to ship out 12,900 cubic yards of contaminated soil in 890 truckloads. And then plans are to bring in 16,750 cubic yards of aggregate base and 27,800 cubic yards of clean topsoil in 2,900 truckloads.

The soil would be roughed down to 18 inches, graded, compacted and covered by a 12-inch cap of steel hardwire cloth to prevent animal burrowing, and then eight inches of aggregate base and four inches of topsoil for grass would be placed on top.

The Parks Department would remove 166 "non-heritage" trees, to be replaced by at least 166 native trees, as determined by the Park's Forestry Division.

The oak grove in the southwest corner of the park would be completely fenced off, and the stone outcropping in the northwest corner would be cleaned.

The existing parking lot would would be extended westward, about doubling in size.

-- Robert "Bob" Dager contributed to this report.

Read more about contamination at Chatworth Park South:

Park Tainted by Lead from Roy Rogers' Days May Reopen

Chatsworth Park South a Target for Vandalism

No Reopening Date Yet for Chatsworth Park South

UPDATE: City Presses Forward to Open Chatsworth Park South

Parts of Chatsworth Park South Might Open as Soon as This Summer

Fire Hazard to be Removed Soon from Chatsworth Park South

Have Opinions on Opening Chatsworth Park South? Get a Survey Here

Officials to Brief Public on Plans for Chatsworth Park South

Chatsworth Park South Gym Cleared to Open; Contaminated Land Still Off-Limits