Superfund Sites with Green Space Reuse

On this page:

• Agricultural Redevelopment Tools
• Ecological Redevelopment Tools
• Recreational Redevelopment Tools

Superfund sites that are being reused as "green space" encompass a wide range of reuse activities including: agricultural reuse (growing crops, pasture land for livestock); ecological reuse (wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, wetlands); and recreational reuse (golf courses, ballfields, open space).

• Recreational and Ecological Use at Superfund Sites Story Map
  This story map explores recreational and ecological reuses and continued uses at Superfund sites across the country.
   
• Recreational and Ecological Uses at Superfund Sites: Enhancing Public Health, Revitalizing Habitat (PDF)
  This fact sheet provides an overview of the types of recreational and ecological reuses at Superfund sites and the benefits provided by these facilities.
   
• Reuse Opportunities at Capped Superfund Sites (PDF)
  This report discusses leading examples of capped-area reuses across the country, highlighting recent trends and key factors and considerations that make these uses possible.

In-Depth Case Studies - Ecological

Find in-depth case studies highlighting ecological reuse. In-depth case studies take a close start-to-finish look at how a site was returned to use, including a detailed discussion of barriers, strategies for overcoming barriers, key stakeholders, partnerships critical for moving a project forward, and resources secured to make reuse visions a reality.

Beneficial Effects Economic Case Studies - Ecological

Find beneficial effects economic case studies highlighting ecological reuse. A beneficial effects economic case study gathers more complete information related to reuse, employment and other beneficial effects.

Fact Sheets - Ecological

Find fact sheets highlighting ecological reuse. The fact sheets provide information about the reuse activities at the site, the site owner's planning and development process, geographic location, past cleanup activities, and contacts for more information. The fact sheets have been designed to be useful documents for site owners, future site users, prospective purchasers, lenders and developers. Sites are categorized depending on whether or not cleanup at the site is complete, and whether the site is already in reuse. Many sites that are in reuse can support additional use. In some cases, the previous use of these sites may make additional use even easier.

Recreational Redevelopment Tools

• Recreational Reuse and the Benefit to Community: Recreational Redevelopment at Superfund Sites (PDF)
  Recreational redevelopment at two cleaned-up Superfund sites is providing expanded recreational opportunities – athletic fields, walking trails, disc golf courses, playgrounds and more. The estimated benefits include $275,000 a year in medical cost savings, over $2 million in increased property values and $238,000 a year in recreational value.
   
• Reusing Cleaned Up Superfund Sites: Golf Facilities Where Waste is Left on Site (PDF)
  This report provides technical information useful in planning, designing, and building golf facilities on sites where the remedy calls for on-site containment of contaminated material.
   
• Dog Parks and Animal Shelters at Superfund Sites: Playing for Keeps (PDF)
  This fact sheet highlights places where communities have reclaimed once-contaminated lands for reuse as dog parks and animal shelters where people care for animals and play with their pets.
   
• Recreational Opportunities at Abandoned Mine Lands (PDF)
  This fact sheet provides information about recreational reuse for all stakeholders and community members interested in creating recreational opportunities at nearby abandoned mine lands.
   
• Recreational Reuse of Land Above Hazardous Waste Containment Areas (PDF)
  • Appendices (PDF)
    This document provides technical information on how sites with hazardous waste have been safely reused for recreational purposes, while ensuring that the protectiveness of the remedy is maintained.

Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determinations - Recreational

Find Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determinations where EPA has found that a site can safely support recreational reuse.