The Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is closing the baseball infields at Washington Park and Victory Park until the results of soil lead testing are available, the city announced Friday, April 18.
“We are taking proactive steps to help ensure that our parks are safe for all visitors, especially young children who are most vulnerable to lead exposure,” said Koko Panossian, director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. “Our community’s health and safety remain our top priority as we work closely with public health officials to help keep our parks a healthy and welcoming place for families to gather, play, and connect.”
The closures and testing follow the April 10 county report from a soil sampling study, which showed the soil in areas downwind of the Eaton fire had elevated lead levels above the California Department of Toxic Substances Control screening threshold of 80 parts per million.
Manuel Carmona, the public health director for Pasadena, emphasized he doesn’t want anyone to confuse the 80 ppm screening thresholds with toxicity levels.
The City of Pasadena has closed the baseball and softball fields at Victory Park until the can sample the soil and determine when they can reopen them. The fields were photographed on Friday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)“I recognize that the L.A. County study on soil sampling heightened concern across the community about lead,” Carmona said. “I think what’s really important for everyone to understand is that this is a sign that additional evaluation is needed, it’s not an indication that anything is toxic or that needs to be remediated or cleaned up at this point.”
“We certainly are looking forward to getting more information so we can make informed future decision-making,” Carmona added.
Areas with ground covers such as grass, rocks, mulch, or wood chips may remain open and available for use, according to the city.
The areas of concern are two neighborhoods that were included in the county study. One neighborhood is generally bounded by Lincoln Avenue, Washington Boulevard, North Altadena Drive, and the city limit. The other neighborhood is generally bounded by North Altadena Drive, Orange Grove Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, and Eaton Drive.
According to the city, exposed soil will be tested at Robinson Park, Hamilton Park, and Alice’s Dog Park as well, despite being outside of the identified neighborhoods, out of an abundance of caution. All three of these parks will remain open during testing.
The City of Pasadena has closed the baseball and softball fields at Victory Park until the can sample the soil and determine when they can reopen them. Students from Frostig School moved their game from the fields to the grass on Friday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)Pasadena Unified School District is working with the city’s public health department to also conduct testing for lead levels in exposed areas around schools following the county soil study results, the district announced earlier this month.
Children can be exposed to lead particles by swallowing lead-contaminated soil, prolonged skin contact with it, or breathing it in. Lead particles from contaminated soil can also be tracked indoors on shoes or clothing, becoming lead dust. Children under six years old are particularly susceptible to lead exposure from soil, as they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths or even eat soil.
Jenny Mottes is the Head of Frostig High School, across the street from Victory Park. She said the school found out about the closures when a reporter interviewed Frostig students at a baseball game at the park on Friday.
Mottes also said the school had no plans yet on what activities will be affected by the infield closure, but they are glad the city is conducting further testing.
“ My initial reaction is I would rather be safe, and know that our kids are safe while they’re at the park,” Mottes said.
The Pasadena Public Health Department strongly recommended that parks and youth sports fields with exposed soil, such as baseball diamonds, soccer, track, and football fields within the Pasadena communities defined above, consult a qualified professional to conduct soil testing for heavy metals.
The City of Pasadena has closed the baseball and softball fields at Victory Park until the can sample the soil and determine when they can reopen them. The fields were photographed on Friday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)The city also said until results are available, or remediation is concluded, that parks should close all areas of fields with exposed soil to prevent children from playing in or walking in the area. All youth sports activities should cancel or relocate practices and games to areas with improved surfaces, including concrete or asphalt, or to an area outside of the Pasadena communities defined by the city.
PPHD also recommended people ensure access to handwashing, and built-in time during sports or activities dedicated to washing hands.
Residents and lawmakers have criticized the decision for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to only remove six inches of soil during its debris removal process and called for additional testing of soil.
In a letter sent to FEMA last month, several lawmakers voiced concern that soil testing would not be done as part of the debris removal.
“The residents of greater Los Angeles should be informed of any potential toxins in the soil as they navigate the complicated recovery process,” the letter read. “Wildfire survivors deserve to return to safe, toxin-free properties.”
Reps. Laura Friedman, D-Burbank; Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks; Ted Lieu, D-Manhattan Beach; Nanette Diaz Barragán, D-Long Beach; George Whitesides, D-Santa Clarita; Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks; Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach and Luz Rivas, D-Arleta signed the letter.
Those concerned about their own possible exposure to lead have options for lead testing.
Besides requesting a blood lead test from your doctor, which is covered under Medi-Cal, people can get tested through calling Quest Labs at 1-800-LA-4-LEAD to request a free appointment, or attend an in-person county health department mobile testing event.
The next county blood lead testing event will be Sunday April 27, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Eaton Health Village at 1280 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104.
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