By Mark Jenkins, Reporter
Last Updated: Sunday, September 25, 2011 4:15 PM
ORLANDO --
The City has delayed the opening of one of its newest public parks after inspectors found contaminants in some of the soil.
On Sunday however, one group was allowed inside Lake Druid Park despite the trouble.
People with Kyle's Bike Shop have been aching to get out and do some maintenance on Lake Druid's "pump track." The pump track has clay mounds for jumping bicycles.
It was finished about six months ago and was ready to open until inspectors found contaminants in a nearby mound of dirt. Orlando received the property from the Navy. Inspectors say the pesticides found in the dirt was used to kill termites.
City officials say people aren't in danger, but refuse to fully open the park until the Navy removes the dirt pile.
In the meantime, the bike track and trail are suffering.
"It's been quite a while since anyone has been here," says Kyle's Bike Shop owner, Kyle Markel. "Stuff's getting a little overgrown. So we're going to come out for the day and get a little momentum going again about the park, and see if we can get some stuff moving on getting the pile moved out of here, and getting it safe for everyone to come out and ride."
Government funding paid for a trail builder to construct the pump track. There's also a half mile mountain bike trail that runs through the woods. Both are now overgrown with grass and tree limbs.
The Navy has agreed to pay to remove the dirt. However, city officials don't know how long that will take.
