At contaminated parks: shuttered playgrounds, falling fences, and frustration

At contaminated parks: shuttered playgrounds, falling fences, and frustration

At Walltown Park and Recreation Center, the scene has remained virtually unchanged for almost two years: large red “KEEP OUT” signs decorate the empty playground. But a much larger surrounding area, a grassy field that stretches from Club Boulevard to Guess Road, is marked only by thin orange fencing.  Walltown is one of five Durham parks where contamination from heavy metals was confirmed in summer 2023. Sections of the parks closed for testing…