White Farm Restoration Project Nearly Complete

The restoration of White Farm in Durham is just about complete.

Later this month, the town will host a grand re-opening of the popular open space property located just north of the Durham Fairgrounds to celebrate Earth Day.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spent several months last year dredging Allyn Brook from Route 68 to Maple Avenue in an effort to reduce flooding on the town owned property.

"From all accounts it was a very successful project," said First Selectman Laura Francis. "If you've been down there you'll notice just how dry the fields are. Most of the stream is working how it was intended."

While the dredging of the brook is complete, Francis said the state will return this summer to complete a previously planned fishery habitat along the brook. She also said the state also intends to address flooding on the north side of Route 68 by removing debris that is blocking the flow of the brook.

Last year, the town set aside $215,000 for the project, which includes funds to pay for the removal of the soil from the site, as well as soil tests.  

Francis said Monday the tests showed that a small portion of the soil had elevated levels of Barium, a naturally occurring element.

"It's nothing that we're terribly concerned about either from a cost perspective or process perspective,"she said "We can either take it to an approved site or we can mix it up and deconcentrate the elements. We're working with DEEP and the company that tested it to find help that solution."

The ceremony on Saturday, April 20 will begin at 2 p.m. and will be attended by local officials, as well as DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen. 

Related stories:

Residents Fed Up With White's Farm Neglect
Town Moving Forward With Plans to Restore White Farm
Crews to Begin Work at White Farm Next Week
Sights & Sounds: White Farm in Durham
Photos: White Farm Restoration Project Continues