Soil Safety Program

Arsenic and lead in play-area soil can pose a risk to children. We provide free soil sampling and soil safety actions for play areas within the program service area (see map for boundary). We sample public and private schools, licensed childcares, parks, camps, and multi-family public housing.

Are you starting a new childcare facility?

The Department of Early Learning requires childcare facilities located in the program area to sign up for soil sampling before getting a license. See our interactive map to find out if you are in our service area.

Questions? Call Ecology at 360-407-7688 ext. 2
Frequently Asked Questions for Schools and Childcares provides more background on the program

For parents

We have sampled the soil at all schools and parks that have play areas (for example, ball fields or play structures). We have completed work on 90 percent of the areas that need action (you can see the list of completed parks below). However, wooded areas around schools and in parks may still have elevated levels of arsenic and lead. We recommend that you and your family always practice healthy actions.

If you have questions about a specific park or school, please contact us at 360-407-7688 ext. 2.

We are working on a new interactive map to show the areas that have had a soil safety action. We will update this site when it is complete.

American Lake (Lakewood) 2012
Baltimore Park (Tacoma) 2015 fact sheet
Clock Tower Park (DuPont) 2012
Curran Apple Orchard (University Place) 2011
Dockton (Vashon Island) 2012
Dottie Harper (Burien) 2012
Point Defiance Park - Fort Nisqually (Tacoma) 2016 fact sheet
Jane Clark Park (Tacoma) 2013 fact sheet
Kandle Park (Tacoma) 2011
Kiwanis (Lakewood) 2012
Lake Grove (Federal Way) 2012
McMicken Heights (SeaTac) 2012
Optimist Park (Tacoma) 2015 fact sheet
Sellers (DuPont) 2012
Sunset Terrace (University Place) 2011
Sunset Playfields (SeaTac) 2012
Titlow Park (Tacoma) 2013
Vassault Park (Tacoma) 2014 fact sheet
Signs Only
Adelaide Park (Federal Way) 2012
Heritage Woods (Federal Way) 2012
Cirque Bridgeport (University Place) 2013
DuPont PowderWorks (DuPont) 2013
Homestead Park (University Place) 2013
Morrison Park (University Place) 2013

Soil sampling and safety actions completed

2016 marked the ten-year anniversary of the Soil Safety Program. This blog summarizes the work we’ve completed.
Soil sampling: We have sampled over 1,000 existing play areas in collaboration with local health departments in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties.
Soil safety actions: We found over 100 play areas with elevated arsenic or lead and performed safety actions on 90 percent of them. Example soil safety actions we’ve taken are: removing and replacing soil, covering soil with wood chips or gravel, or placing signs.

The soil safety program boundary ranges from Lacey north to Seattle including Vashon-Maury Island, the eastern boundary is approximately Interstate 5 — Map of the Soil Safety Program Boundary. The Soil Safety Program covers Vashon-Maury Island in King County and west of the I-5 corridor through Pierce County to the Thurston County border.

Soil Safety Program Service Area

Current service area includes Vashon Island down to Lakewood. From 2010-19 it included Seattle to Lacey.

As the Asarco settlement funds decrease, we evaluated sampling results and program costs and found that less than 2% of play areas sampled in King County (outside of Vashon-Maury Island) had arsenic or lead above cleanup levels. As a result, we reduced the Soil Safety Program service area to only Vashon-Maury Island in King County. The reduction of the service area allows the program to continue serving new childcares in areas with higher contamination levels. The new boundary will encompass the existing boundary in Pierce County and include Vashon-Maury Island in King County. This is the second reduction in the program boundary since the start of the program.

Translated content

We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Justin Zakoren
Tacoma Smelter Plume Outreach Coordinator
Justin.Zakoren@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6790

Were you able to find what you were looking for today?*:	Yes No Not sure
What were you trying to find?*:
Please describe your experience. What was challenging? What was helpful? *:	Please include details that will help us address any issues you're reporting. NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Was the search tool helpful to you? *:	Yes No I didn't use Search.
How can we improve our website?:	Optional. If you have suggestions, we'd like to hear them! NOTE: There is a 1,500 character limit (including spaces) on this form field.
Your name:	Please include contact information if you'd like a reply.
Email:	If you’d like a reply, please provide an email address.
Phone number:	( ) - Second three digits Last four digits If you’d like us to call you, please provide a phone number.
Which best describes your role in visiting our site today?*:	Business / Consultant / Contractor Government - Local Government - State Government - Federal Government - Tribal Scientist / Researcher Non-profit Washington resident / Public Educator Student Job seeker Ecology employee
PleaseLeaveBlank:	Are you a robot? If not, please do not enter anything in this field.
	ignore
	ignore

Soil Safety Program

Are you starting a new childcare facility?

For parents

Soil sampling and safety actions completed

Related links

Contact information