Natick Partially Reopens East Park After PCB Tests

NATICK, MA — Natick has partially reopened East Park after PCBs — polychlorinated biphenyls — were found at the park earlier this month. The whole park was closed on Nov. 8 pending the results of soil tests searching for the carcinogenic toxins.

On Nov. 6, PCBs were confirmed at the southwest end of the park behind the Hertz car rental and Speedway gas station. The area was closed off with fencing. Two days later, Natick closed the whole park while new soils tests were conducted.

Today, Natick officials said the baseball field and area behind it remain closed. The town did not say if PCBs were found, just that there would be "more information to share on these areas the week of November 18, 2019."

Health officials say that the playground and ball courts at East Park are safe to use.

Natick is planning to hold a public meeting about the PCBs found at the park, but no date has been announced.

East Park, 90 Oak St., has undergone a major renovation recently, with the town upgrading the playground, basketball, tennis, pickle ball, and baseball field areas. The park is only open weekdays during the renovation.

PCBs were used widely from 1929 until they were banned in by the federal government in 1979. They were used in electrical components like tranformers, but also in paint, copy paper, and engine oil. PCBs do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain embedded in soil for decades. The chemicals are known to cause cancer, but can also damage the neurological and reproductive systems.