Fields Park Reopens After Monthlong Closure Tied To Centennial Mills Fire
PORTLAND, Ore. — Fields Park reopened Friday after contamination concerns tied to the nearby Centennial Mills fire kept the Pearl District green space closed for about a month.
Officials worried asbestos and lead from the old mill building may have contaminated the park after the August fire. Crews have since completed cleanup work, allowing the city to reopen most of the park.
Workers marked the reopening by cutting the grass Friday as neighbors and their dogs returned.
Winston brought his dog, Coco, back to the park. He said he felt relieved to once again have the green space available and had grown impatient waiting for it to reopen.
The playground remains fenced off while crews replace its sand and bark dust. Visitors can use the rest of the park.
The fire heavily damaged the vacant Centennial Mills building along Northwest Naito Parkway in early August. Concerns about the unstable structure and potentially hazardous debris prompted officials to restrict access to the surrounding area.