Creating Greenspace a
EPA's Brownfields
Pilots *t&
,
GREENSFACE
E
conomic development is a critical component of brownfields rede-
velopment. However, EPA recognizes that establishing and restoring
greenspace is also important and can be a viable end use for brownfields.
Greenspace uses include parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens, habitat resto-
ration, open space, and/or greenspace preservation. While many brownfields
become necessary tools for a community's economic revitalization,
greenspace use can provide an asset to a community that surpasses eco-
nomic benefits.
EPA recently awarded 56 supplemental assistance awards, of up to $ 150,000,
to existing Assessment Pilots in 28 states. Twenty-one of those Pilots were
also awarded an additional $50,000 for assessment activities relating spe-
cifically to greenspace, such as site investigation, site characterization, re-
use planning, cleanup decision facilitation, and community involvement re-
lated to the site. This award is applicable to Pilots where greenspace reuse
is included in their redevelopment plans. Several of EPA's Assessment
Pilots are already addressing greenspace issues and are working to include
greenspace components in their long-range goals. These sites can serve as
models to other Pilots interested in incorporating greenspace into their own
redevelopment plans.
One example is the Oregon Mills Site Conversion Project Brownfields Pi-
lot, which has addressed 12 abandoned mill sites across the state. The
Astoria Mill property, along the Columbia River, is one of the Pilot sites
leading the way in the transformation of abandoned mills into more produc-
tive uses. In addition to the economic potential of this particular site (a
success previously highlighted by EPA), the Astoria site has a greenspace
component; it has received a technical grant from the National Park Ser-
vice (NPS) to assist in developing a 5.1-acre recreational trail along the
property that will be added to an existing riverfront walk. There are poten-
tial greenspace reuses at two other mill sites covered by the Oregon Mills
Site Brownfields Pilot, Molalla and Philometh. A walking path was in-
cluded in a preliminary plan at the Molalla site, and due to its high-grade
wetlands, a portion of the Philometh site—often used for field trips by area
students—may be used as open space in the final development plan.
NPS is also working with EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
other federal, state, and local agencies as part of the Kansas City Assess-
continued ^
JUST THE FACTS:
• Used vegetation in Hartford, CT, to ab-
sorb lead at former paint store site.
• Assessed a town dump in Cape Charles,
VA, which is being redeveloped as an
eco-park where natural habitat makes up
one-half of the park's land.
• Began planning and construction of over
18 miles of trails linking the cities of Kan-
sas City, KS and MO together.
The City of Worcester's redeveloped
site will contain 40 miles of bike paths
and walkways that will crisscross 30
acres of restored greenspace.
—Central Massachusetts Economic
Development Authority Pilot
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ment Pilot and Showcase Community. One of the 21 Pilots to receive additional greenspace
funding from EPA, Kansas City's "Riverfront Heritage Trail," will accommodate both
pedestrians and bicycles, and will connect recreational open space and parks with
employment, commercial, and retail centers along the urban riverfront area. The
trail will eventually link up with other existing and planned trails in surrounding
communities, making it an alternative transportation system for the entire met-
ropolitan area. Kansas City's Pilot and Showcase have over 18 miles of trails
planned or under construction that will link the two cities together, provide ac-
cess to the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, and wind past nine brownfields sites
within the Pilot area. The Showcase Community is also working with develop-
ers who are interested in constructing on those brownfields sites—due in part to
the development of the trail—and is encouraging them to include greenspace
components in their redevelopment plans.
CONTACTS:
U.S. EPA
Outreach and Special Projects Staff
(202) 260-4039
Visit the EPA Brownfields web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
Another example is the Hartford, Connecticut, Brownfields Pilot, which recently teamed
up with the state, city, community groups, and a local college to assess and cleanup a 1.2-
acre contaminated former paint store site. After the bulk of contaminated soil was removed by the city,
students at Trinity College planted vegetation to absorb remaining lead, eventually cutting onsite lead
levels in half. Once safe levels have been reached, a vegetable garden will be planted onsite by an
adjacent soup kitchen that will feed local homeless people. A community garden is also in the works.
The Central Massachusetts Economic Development Authority (CMEDA) Pilot is also working to create
greenspace at an abandoned mill site in the City of Worcester. The project will convert a 70,000-square-
foot building and its surrounding property into a visitors' center and environmental training center. While
being hailed as a partnership success (a success previously highlighted by EPA), the Pilot is also incor-
porating recreational greenspace uses in its final redevelopment plan. When completed, the site will
contain 40 miles of bike paths and walkways that will crisscross 30 acres of restored greenspace.
The Cape Charles, Virginia, Brownfields Pilot has included greenspace plans in its project since the
beginning. Cape Charles is located on a narrow strip of land between the Chesapeake Bay and the
Atlantic Ocean. Preserving and restoring natural resources in the surrounding area is important to the
Pilot and to the community. In 1994, before the Pilot award, the site was chosen as one of four national
eco-industrial park demonstration projects by the President's Council on Sustain-
able Development. Cleaning up the 25-acre town dump at the heart of
proposed park was vital to the overall development of the eco-park. The
Pilot funded the assessment of the dump and paved the way for park
construction and greenspace restoration plans. The eco-park com-
bines development, such as a new conference and training facility,
with natural habitat, walkways, and trails. The natural habitat com-
prises approximately one-half of the land in the park, including a 30-
acre Coastal Dune Natural Area Preserve and 60 additional acres
of open space.
These examples indicate that including greenspace in a brownfields
redevelopment plan can be a viable option at a variety of Pilot sites, both
rural and urban. While economic development is essential to redeveloping
brownfields, including a greenspace component can provide trails, gardens, or simple open space that
many communities need to enhance the quality of life around re-developing brownfields. For more
information about these Pilot sites and greenspace issues visit EPA's web site at: www.epa.gov/
brownfields/.
Brownfields Success Story
Creating Greenspace
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105)
EPA 500-F-00-254
November 2000
www.epa.gov/brownfields/
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