Communication and community acceptance were critical during remedial activities at a former manufactured gas plant site currently owned by a city in Massachusetts and used as a public park and children's playground. The utility company and consultant used a policy of early and open communication with local officials and residents, coupled with an aggressive remediation schedule, to help build public confidence in the project. The approach was a success. Within eight months after the first headline in the local paper, "Playground being checked for hazards," the playground was dismantled, contaminated soil was removed and replaced with imported fill, the playground was rebuilt with new equipment, and the Mayor hosted a grand opening ceremony. This paper presents a case study of the project, which is ongoing in other portions of the site, and focuses on the communication and management methods used to create a team approach to a potentially controversial and emotional remediation project.
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