Trainsong Park Remediation to Receive $1.526 Million EPA Grant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified $1.526 million in Brownfield Cleanup Grant funding to the City of Eugene for remediation of Trainsong Park, where sections of dioxin-contaminated soil unexpectedly were found more than two years ago. Funding will be awarded upon completion of the final application step.

The City applied for the funds last fall and received word of the award this week. In all, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $9,806,874 in grants to expedite the assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in Oregon. Eugene’s portion will be used to replace much of the soil at the park as well as to develop a public involvement plan and conduct community engagement activities.

“We are so grateful for having been prioritized for such a significant amount of funding for the project,” said Emily Proudfoot, landscape architect with the City of Eugene. “It is exciting to know we are close to moving forward with this important remediation work and get this park opened entirely to the community.”

Soil sampling and testing at Trainsong Park led by DEQ during fall of 2021 identified elevated levels of dioxins in shallow soils. The source of the contamination at Trainsong Park is unknown and unrelated to J.H. Baxter, a former wood-processing facility about a mile away.

DEQ will help the city implement the cleanup, including removal of dioxin contamination from the park. Dioxins are a group of chemicals that are formed during industrial processes such as the bleaching process in pulp and papermaking. They are also present in some wood treating formulations and can be generated during the burning of organic materials, including wildfires.

“It is a point of livability to ensure all parks in every area of Eugene are safe for families to visit,” said Proudfoot. “We appreciate the partnership of Trainsong neighbors who offered feedback on this project both in the past and in the future.”

Formal government agreements must be finalized before funding is awarded and work can begin at the park. A rough estimate would have the remediation work beginning in 2025.

The City wishes to thank Congresswoman Val Hoyle, Active Bethel Citizens and Beyond Toxics for the support they offered in procuring the funding.