Menlo Park: Tests show elevated bacteria levels at pop-up mini-park downtown – The Almanac Online

A project intended to spice up downtown has instead stunk it up, say some who spend time near the city's pop-up park on Curtis Street and Santa Cruz Avenue.

The pop-up park is a temporary installation of a large astroturf carpet and some lawn furniture, including brightly colored Adirondack chairs. Over the last two years, it has been rolled out downtown perpendicular to Santa Cruz Avenue previously on Chestnut Street, and now on Curtis Street. The mini-park takes up roughly an entire block and eliminates vehicle access and parking there.

Loren Dakin, whose office at 1075 Curtis St. abuts the park, has a front-row seat to observe the park's frequent desecration by people's pets.

He called the park a health hazard and told the Almanac he's seen both dogs relieve themselves and toddlers eat Cheerios off the ground at the park.

In August, he paid for tests to be conducted at the mini-park by Patriot Environmental Laboratory Services Inc., which has an office in San Jose. The tests showed elevated coliform bacteria levels at three spots on the astroturf.

E. coli, a particularly dangerous coliform bacteria, was not found. Coliform bacteria are associated with sewage or fecal contamination.

On Aug. 22, he presented the council with the test findings of the investigation. "It's a cesspool," he said.

Bill Frimel, who also works in the building at 1075 Curtis St., said that human trash and waste can also be observed at the park. He noted that in addition to public health concerns, he is frequently disturbed from his work by frustrated drivers cutting through the parking lot, new noise from kids and street performers, and transient people who spend time at the park night and day.

A smattering of other people spoke at the Aug. 22 council meeting in favor of removing the park and restoring the street to its former use.

Bob McNamara, a former councilman and mayor, told the council: "Many residents, business owners and retailers have told me the park has had a negative impact on the adjacent area. ... These are the very people in the community that you're trying to help, so you should trust their perspective."

Mr. Frimel also said the park is maintained regularly by city staff and that the astroturf was seen being power-washed on Aug. 30.

The matter has not yet been scheduled for council discussion, City Manager Alex McIntyre said Aug. 31.

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Menlo Park: Tests show elevated bacteria levels at pop-up mini-park downtown - The Almanac Online