EPA testing for toxins at Runyon Sports Complex

The old Pueblo smelter site has caused problems for the steel city for decades, spreading dangerous levels of toxins for the locals. Now, Pueblo County wants to test one of the nearby parks to make sure it’s safe.

Last week, Pueblo County Commissioners agreed to allow Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) crews on the Runyon Sports Complex to conduct tests. These crews have tested some of the private properties in the area.

Now the park, which has been the home of baseballs in Pueblo for decades, will get the same tests.

“This is Pueblo youth baseball we are at the center of it,” said Joe Andenucio, who has played, coached and worked at Runyon. “This is a place where a lot of people have grown up. A lot of kids come in here all summer long.”

Crews from the EPA will take soil samples from all six baseball fields at the sports complex to see if there are dangerous levels of lead and arsenic.

The EPA’s project managers want to run tests here because it’s only less than a mile from the smelter site. The site has contaminated soil in nearby homes.

“Let’s do the right thing and make sure we are up to snuff,” said Andenucio. “We don’t want anyone to be having an issue because of what’s in the ground and our relationship to our neighbor over there. Let’s be proactive here and make sure this is a safe place for our youth.”

Crews are expected to run soil tests in the coming weeks. However, for those that are worried over the tests impacting the green fields. The EPA says all fields will be fully restored after tests are concluded.

EPA agents also say they aren’t expecting to find high levels of toxins in the soil because the fields were replaced with clean soil years ago.