331 W Main St, Suite 411, 919-908-9087, website

 

A year or so ago, the presence of lead was discovered in the soil in and around some of Durham’s parks (Lyon Park, Walltown, Northgate Park, East Durham, and East End). Young people in particular need to stay away from lead because if too much lead is introduced to the blood system can result in brain damage and other problems. Whole sections of park land has been fenced off as the City takes measures to remove the lead from the soil.

 

Now the City is turning its attention to residential properties. People who live close to any of these parks are invited to submit soil samples to see if they have to worry about the soil around their homes is contaminated.

 

To collect a single soil sample, identify an area of interest (maybe where the kids play, such as a swingset, or the area where you’re growing food). For garden areas, scoop up one cup’s worth from the surface down to 6 to 8 inches deep. For play areas, collect soil from the surface down to 1 to 2 inches deep. Be sure to collect samples from a few random spots. Remove pebbles, rocks, and roots, and let the sample air dry. Mix the samples together and transfer one or two cups’ worth into a quart-sized zip bag.

 

Here are the Soil Testing Neighborhood Events where you can drop off your soil samples. Kids activities and snacks will be provided.

 

• Saturday, November 1, 3–5pm—Walltown Park (1308 W Club Blvd)

• Saturday, November 15, 3–5pm—Lyon Park (1309 Halley St)

• Wednesday, November 19, 5–7pm—Northgate (info to come)

• Thursday, December 4, 5–7pm—East Durham (Holton Career & Resource Center, 401 N Driver St)

• East End—spring 2026, info to come.

 

Visit the website to keep up with the latest developments.