Add Sportsmans to garden plot debate

Potential alternative uses for the Sportsmans Park trapshooting site have been noticeably absent in the ongoing comment about the Caroline Martin Mitchell land along West Street. One aspect of the park that should factor into the discussion is the significant presence of lead on that site.

Some residents may be unaware of the lead or judge it to be unimportant. Others may believe that the existence of lead contamination precludes any change to use of the land. When remediation is mentioned, it is immediately dismissed as too costly. But, in fact, no one knows what remediation would cost. Neither the park district nor the city has yet requested site-specific evaluation from any company that does such work. Why does this critical question continue to be cloaked in guesswork? New technologies have been developed in the past 10 years that may significantly change costs and options. But in any case, voters need accurate, up-to-date information to make fully informed choices about this valuable community property. The League has repeatedly urged elected officials to get the facts. We renew that call as part of the current discussion. An extended statement of the League's position on Sportsmans Park can be found at our Web site: www.naperville,il.lwv.org

Jane Barnes

president, League of Women Voters of Naperville