Eugene Proposed Trainsong Park Soil Cleanup Plan

The city has launched a 30-day public comment period to address dioxin contamination at the closed park.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Environmental

Isometric editorial illustration of earth strata, showing a protective layer between contaminated and clean soil to represent environmental remediation efforts. — The City of Eugene has launched a 30-day public comment period for a proposed hybrid soil remediation plan at the closed Trainsong Park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Eugene has proposed a hybrid cleanup plan to remediate soil contamination at Trainsong Park, which was closed in 2022 due to the presence of dioxins. Officials are now seeking community input during a 30-day public comment period.

Why it matters

The city is legally required to address the hazardous soil levels discovered during testing. This plan aims to finalize a long-term strategy for returning the site to safe public use after contamination was found to be deeper than initially estimated.

The plan involves excavating two feet of soil in targeted areas and installing a protective barrier of twelve inches of gravel and clean soil. Cleanup efforts are projected to last 13 weeks.

The players

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

This state agency is responsible for overseeing the environmental health and regulatory compliance of sites throughout Oregon.

Environmental Protection Agency

This federal agency provides regulatory oversight and funding for environmental remediation projects across the United States.

The details

The cleanup strategy utilizes a hybrid approach, combining soil removal with the installation of protective fabric, gravel, and clean fill or paving. This initiative follows findings from spring 2026 that indicated contamination extended to greater depths than previous studies had identified.

Testing in 2020 and 2021 first identified high dioxin levels at the site.
Trainsong Park closed to the public in 2022.
The EPA awarded $1.5 million to the city in 2024 for soil replacement.
Spring 2026 testing revealed deeper contamination than expected.
Cleanup work is expected to commence in the summer of 2027.

The Big Picture

This project follows the remediation standards set by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The initiative marks a necessary shift from initial monitoring to active land restoration under federal oversight.

Residents living near Trainsong Park will see construction equipment and restricted access to specific areas during the 13-week cleanup phase. This project serves as a critical step toward fully reopening the park for neighborhood recreational use.

The takeaway

The proposed hybrid cleanup plan represents a major step in restoring public access to the long-closed Trainsong Park. Residents are encouraged to participate in the public comment period to ensure the final strategy addresses community concerns.