Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio announced at Tuesday’s city council meeting that Cavallo Park will be opening its gates later this month for the first time since May 2014.
DelVecchio said plans were to have a “soft opening” on Good Friday, March 25, when schools will be closed, and local kids can experience at least four new slides.
Located in Lambertville’s south end, the park will continue to be partially open after Easter, as soil remission, reseeding and fencing efforts for the remainder of the land are completed. Current plans are for a re-dedication of the entire park during the first week of May.
Cavallo Park has been closed to allow the remediation of lead- and beryllium-contaminated soil at the site, which has been used in the past for industrial purposes. It is one of the most popular area parks for children and their parents/guardians, as it is located within walking distance of much of New Hope and Lambertville.
DelVecchio commended the effort of Bradley M. Campbell, a former city resident and past head of the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who helped the city with a plan of action and advised during the process.
Cavallo Park’s renovations were originally projected to be finished by the summer of 2015, then November. According to DelVecchio and City Clerk Cindy Ege, reasons for the delays include the bidding process, large equipment being on back order, permitting issues at the DEP, and resolution of soil test variances.
The remediation process was funded primarily through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. The city also received a loan from the NJDEP’s Green Acres program.
At Tuesday’s meeting, DelVecchio publicly thanked Geoffrey Cook, CEO of MeetMe, for a $147,000 gift to aid improvements at the park.
I wonder if the city or state ever recommended lead/chemical poisoning testing for the kids who played there? I always thought the park was really gross.