The Parks Department and the Department of Environmental Protection have once again shown their disrespect and disregard for our community. Harris Field, a much loved and much used park with six ball fields has been closed to use due to a long-promised renovation and restoration. We have been patient. We have seen the cost go from the original $6.6 million to $8.7 million, but we have been silent and we have been patient. But we now learn that due to the discovery of lead contaminated soil, the cost will add an additional $5.2 million. We are losing our patience. Since the discovery of the toxic material, there have been no fences put up to prevent people from using the park on the weekend. There are no signs informing the public of the dangers of toxic material. Why not? Why is this information kept from our community? We are the ones who will bear both the financial costs and potential health costs. We have the right to know the total cost of renovation, the cost of cleanup, of dangerous material and the cost of replacing grass with synthetic turf. Shame on you for keeping this all a secret.

Sonia Lappin