Edison and Metuchen are going to share responsibility and use of a dog park located on a former Superfund site in Edison.
The former Chemical Insecticide Corp. site on Whitman Ave. in Edison is now going to be a dog park. EDISON --A former Superfund site on Whitman Avenue in Edison, near the Metuchen border, will be officially opened Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. as a park for dogs.
The site was owned by the Chemical Insecticide Corp. from 1958 until 1970 and testing at the property later disclosed hazardous chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed a $53 million cleanup in 2005, removing 250,000 cubic tons of soil and restoring the site to residential safety standards.
The township bought the property in 2008 for $1 million with money from the township's Open Space Trust Fund and a state Green Acres Grant.
But, the park is the idea of both Edison and Metuchen.
Middlesex County Freeholder Charles Tomaro, a former township councilman, helped secure a county open space grant to help make the new dog park a reality.
"Our new dog park is a prime example of how neighboring towns can work cooperatively and share resources to provide new and useful services to their residents," said Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey. "This park also represents an environmental success for Edison and Metuchen, reclaiming a former industrial site that has been made safe for public use and enjoyment."
In addition to the county open space grant, funds from both Edison and Metuchen and private contributions were used to grade, landscape, fence, and create the dog park, according to Lankey. It now has benches, water fountains, trash receptacles and walking paths, and a paved parking area.
A statement released by the township said doggie playground equipment is also on the horizon with the help from Petco and contributions from other area businesses.
Edison and Metuchen will share the dog park maintenance duties including monitoring its use, mowing, pruning and trash collection.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.