A significant portion of the fencing at Sarnia's Centennial Park is finally coming down.
The fence was erected after the discovery of asbestos and other contaminants in the soil in May 2013. Crews began removing the green metal fence this morning.
City staff hope full public access to the Phase 1 area of the park, which includes the Great Lawn, will be available by the end of the day Friday.
A new fence perimeter in the area of the playground, beach and Dow People Place extending to the park's southerly limit will be put in place as well Friday.
City staff had hoped much of the fencing would have been down in time for Canada Day, however the wet spring's impact on grass growing delayed the removal.
The Front St. parking lot is reopened until the fall of 2015, when construction on Phases 2 and 3 of the remaining remediation and revitalization areas are expected to begin.
A new concept plan for Centennial Park is currently being developed with input from the public.
Phase 2 and 3 of the $5.5-million project includes relocating the boat launch and parking, shoreline work, demolition of the DOW People Place and construction of a new rotunda at the park.
City of Sarnia Centennial Park remediation map (Photo Courtesy of City of Sarnia)