Public Notification - Kiddie Junction Playground at Pirone Park CLOSED to the Public December 10, 2021

Town of Ayer

Public Notification

Kiddie Junction Playground at Pirone Park CLOSED to the Public

December 10, 2021

 

Kiddie Junction Playground at Pirone Park was constructed in 1989 using standard techniques and materials for that time.  As part of the Town’s plan to remediate and replace the playground structure, on December 7, 2021, the Town of Ayer’s Licensed Site Professional (LSP) notified MassDEP of arsenic contamination at the Kiddie Junction Playground.  At that time, the Town of Ayer was informed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that the Kiddie Junction Playground is to be closed due to the presence of arsenic in the playground structure which was a common wood treatment for playgrounds of this period.  MassDEP approved the Town’s plan to close the playground and to fence off the area.

As of December 10, 2021, the Kiddie Junction Playground has been closed and a perimeter fence has been installed.

The Town has been informed that the likelihood of health implications due to exposure to these common materials is believed to be very low.  If you are concerned, you should contact your primary health care provider.

The Ayer Parks Commission is currently working on a proposed plan to replace the Kiddie Junction Playground with an estimated timeline for construction to proceed in July 2022.

For more information, please contact the Ayer Parks Commission at (978) 796-5915.

Thank you.