That the City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Health, and any relevant environmental consultants to provide a comprehensive report on Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park

O-1 FIRST IN COUNCIL October 6, 2025 City of Cambridge MAYOR SIMMONS VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR TONER WHEREAS: On September 10, 2025, the City announced that environmental testing at Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park, conducted as part of a court renovation project, revealed confirmed contamination in multiple areas of the park, including the playground and recreational zones; and WHEREAS: The contaminants identified, which are consistent with historical uses of the site and/or urban fill, have resulted in the closure of the entire park for public safety until soil remediation can be completed; and WHEREAS: This situation has understandably raised significant concerns among families and other residents about soil safety in parks across Cambridge, particularly in other playgrounds frequented by children; and WHEREAS: Residents are seeking clarity on how and when soil testing is conducted, what contaminants are being tested for, what thresholds determine whether remediation is necessary, and what proactive measures the City is taking to ensure that similar hazards are not present in other City parks and playgrounds; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Health, and any relevant environmental consultants to provide a comprehensive report to the City Council, in a timely manner, detailing: • The full testing protocols used at Gold Star Mothers Park, including metrics, thresholds, and contaminants screened; • The timeline and strategy for full-site testing and remediation at Gold Star Mothers Park; • Whether other parks and playgrounds across Cambridge have undergone soil testing in recent years, and if so, the dates, locations, and results of such testing; • The City’s current policies or best practices regarding routine soil testing in public parks, including frequency, scope, and public notification procedures; and • Any recommendations for establishing a clear, citywide standard for environmental testing of playgrounds and other parklands going forward.