UPDATE: Park Remains Closed, Should Reopen This Week

Update, March 30: Weather delays have been impacting the city's planned re-opening date for King park on Gallatin Street. The city's website says it is anticipating the park will reopen on April 1.

Update, March 21: Crews are not working today due to this morning's rain, according to Abby Sandel, Hyattsville’s communications director.  If the weather  cooperates, crews anticipate working tomorrow and wrapping things up by March 25.

Update, March 15: Remediation at Robert J. King Memorial Park, which last week was contaminated with diesel, begins this morning.

All contaminated soil and brickwork will be excavated, Sandel said. The contractor will take all removed material to a special facility for disposal. Removal is expected to take two days, Sandel said.

“After removal, we’ll need to rebrick/replant, etc. the area,” she said. “We’ll have a better idea of a re-opening date once the work is underway.”

According to the city, this is not an acceptable way to dispose of motor oil. The city’s public works yard accepts used motor oil for recycling from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some area auto parts stores and service stations do the same. 

“We believe the clean up will be successful, and there’s no concern about long-term impact,” Sandel said. “We can’t say that with absolute confidence until we get some feedback from the contractor, but nothing indicates otherwise.” 

Update, 11 p.m.: Residents called the city on March 11 after they smelled a strong odor like diesel, said Sgt. Chris Purvis, spokesman.

Upon investigation, the city found that a fountain at Robert J. King Memorial Park on Gallatin Street was contaminated with a substance that appeared to be diesel. A Hazmat truck was called and the fountain was pumped out, Purvis said.

Land in the park must be remediated due to the contamination, but there is no danger to the drinking water of those living immediately around the park, Purvis said, adding that he's unsure when the park will be reopened.

The city's department of public works is now handling the situation, he said.

Original post, 3:35 p.m.: Yellow and black police tape is closing off Robert J. King Memorial Park.

There doesn't appear to be any danger at the park — near the corner of Gallatin Street and 42nd Avenue — and no machinery or Department of Public Works trucks are out there working this afternoon.

Patch is looking into the reason for the tape and will update you as more information becomes available.