Public input sought on Bethpage park cleanup

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is inviting public comment on the proposed cleanup for part of an 18-acre Bethpage park adjacent to the former Grumman defense complex.

Oyster Bay Town officials have submitted a Brownfield Cleanup Program application that would enable it to study and possibly remediate a 0.4-acre section of Bethpage Community Park. The section has tested positive for soil and groundwater contamination linked to industrial solvents left from the manufacture of military planes at the Grumman site.

The park was closed in 2002 after soil samples revealed PCB contamination. It was partially reopened several months later after a fence was installed to prevent access to the grassy areas.

Grumman and the town were to share the cleanup effort, town spokeswoman Phyllis Barry said.

“The town’s portion has been cleaned and remediated,” she said. “The other portion has languished, so we’re hoping to get that cleaned up.”

If the application is approved, the town could receive tax credits for the cleanup effort.
Comments are being accepted until Dec. 9 at www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/60058.html. The site code is C130003D.

The application is available for review at Bethpage Public Library.