Falmouth baseball fields will stay closed at least two years, study finds lead in topsoil

In light of findings from a recent environmental risk assessment that found levels of lead in topsoil at the John L. Neill Youth Baseball Complex, Falmouth officials have decided to keep all three fields closed until corrective measures are completed.

The fields, located at 525 Gifford St. on land once used as a town dump, have been closed to public access since January. An analysis of the topsoil and underlying landfill uncovered the lead and other contaminants in the soil, some at concerning levels of concentration.

The investigation was prompted by the turning up of glass and metal during renovations to install new lighting at the ball fields last fall, according to Town Manager Mike Renshaw.

As part of the analysis, he recently told the Select Board, "it was identified that there were elements of lead, arsenic, zinc and PCBs" (or polychlorinated biphenyls), and "importantly, the lead exceeded the MCP, or Massachusetts Contingency Plan, standards for lead in the soils."

Risk assessment results: Lead and other contaminants found

The risk assessment, conducted by Arcadis U.S., Inc., revealed that the topsoil on Field 1 — the field closest to the access road leading to the skate park — contained lead at levels as high as 600 parts per million. This exceeds the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection standard for safe lead levels in soil, which is 200 ppm.

According to the report, this concentration in the short-term "could pose an unacceptable risk to young children if repeated contact with soil beneath the existing turf was allowed."

Field 2 showed a lower concentration of lead at 190 ppm and Field 3 had even lower levels at around 45 ppm, which is considered safe under the state guidelines.

The assessment also noted that the underlying landfill material below all three fields contains hazardous substances like antimony, arsenic, zinc, and PCBs that exceed the state’s standards. Additionally, deeper samples up to 5 feet below turf showed high lead concentrations at all three fields, registering at 1,610 ppm under Field 1, 1,710 ppm under Field 2 and 755 ppm under Field 3.

The contamination stems from use of the site as a municipal dump starting around the 1930s and continuing into the early '70s. The landfill was closed before the state adopted regulations in 1993 requiring landfill closures to include proper capping and post-closure monitoring, according to the state.

In the early to mid '80s, the town made the decision to construct the ball field complex on top of the old dump.

Shutting down all three fields

Based on the risk assessment findings, Arcadis emphasized that no play be allowed on Field 1 until a remedy is implemented.

The firm suggested that Fields 2 and 3 could remain in use for up to 12 months, but only with strict precautions to prevent possible exposure to contaminants beneath the topsoil, which pose potential long-term risks throughout the field complex.

But Renshaw told the Select Board a decision to maintain the use of Fields 2 and 3 while remediating Field 1 "is problematic."

"It’s my opinion and staff’s opinion that remediating all three fields and getting the remediation process underway as quickly as possible is going to be the safest route," he said.

The town's primary focus, he said, "has been and remains the health and safety of the community."

Next steps: More testing, and creating a plan

As part of next steps, Renshaw noted that Arcadis will be conducting a geophysical survey of the area to definitively delineate the outer boundaries of the old landfill. Additional soil borings and monitoring wells are planned to understand how groundwater may be flowing from the former landfill.

The results of that survey are expected around March 12, Renshaw said.

Town staff is working with Arcadis to explore options for addressing the problem and developing rough cost estimates.

Public Works Director Peter McConarty at the Feb. 24 Select Board meeting said a possible remedy is to place 2 to 3 feet of clean cover over a geotextile membrane over the landfill material.

Based on discussions with Arcadis and in-house experts who've worked on similar projects, Renshaw said officials are confident “there is a solution that will make all three fields safe.”

The plan, which would incorporate previously planned improvement to avoid any disturbance of the landfill material once it is capped, is expected to take at least two years to complete.

What about the 2025 and 2026 ball seasons?

With the 2025 ball season looming, and the John L. Neill fields out of commission at least until the 2027 season, the town is working with the Falmouth Youth Baseball Association and the school department to prepare alternative field locations for games at the Morse Pond School and the Lawrence School, as well as the junior varsity field at the high school.

McConarty, who noted school Superintendent Lisa Duerr's support for the efforts, said the alternative fields will need some improvements to prepare for the season. Parks Superintendent Jeremiah Pearson is already working with a fence company to get any necessary fencing installed this month so the fields are ready to go in April, he said.

A lingering concern, though, is for the fall ball season. Brandon McCann, an association board member, noted field lighting will be needed in the fall in order for games to proceed. None of the alternative fields have lighting. While the association could send participants to other towns, he said, "as a board, in order to do that, we’d have to request permission from our league sponsorship."

McConarty said the town could look into temporary lighting, though finding suitable equipment that meets the necessary specifications could be challenging.

Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Ball fields at Falmouth youth complex closed as 2025 season looms