Riverside Park sign. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — At long last the City of Wausau is nearing a start date for soil remediation in Riverside Park.
On Tuesday the City Council voted to approve spending $154,000 from the environmental fund to remove a layer of soil and replace it with new dirt. Mayor Katie Rosenberg says the move is a relief for her and others that have been working on the project for years.
“We are so excited to be moving forward with remediation,” said Mayor Rosenberg. “[This means] we can have a nice, safe park that everyone trusts and can recreate in and enjoy themselves.”
Soil testing in the park dates back to at least 2006. Recent testing efforts have been conducted by both the city and the group Citizens for a Clean Wausau. That data has been analyzed by consultants including the state Department of Natural Resources. Many of those results came back showing an elevated level of cancer-causing dioxins, though never to the level which would cause health officials to close the park.
RELATED: Once Again- Additional Soil Testing to Occur in Riverside Park
During that time the park was never given a clean bill of health, either. Users were simply encouraged to use the park at their own risk and to limit or eliminate contact with the soil to avoid ingesting it accidentally.
The last round of testing came in 2021. Then in the summer of 2022, the city began working with consulting group REI to finalize plans for remediation including the depth of soil that would need to be removed and in what areas.
RELATED: Finance Committee Approves Initial Site Work for Riverside Park Remediation
Rosenberg says the city will now go out for bids on the project. No timeline for when the work will begin was given, though she does expect the job will be completed this year.
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