Posted: Feb. 25, 2026
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro city leaders presented a multi-phase plan Tuesday night to fully remediate Bingham Park. This East Greensboro park has been closed for more than a year after testing revealed high levels of toxins in the soil.
Five-Phase Cleanup Plan Outlined for Contaminated Park
City officials say the site was used as a landfill in the 1950s.
During a community meeting, leaders outlined five proposed phases submitted to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for review.
Greensboro Environmental Compliance Support Manager Richard Lovett said the first phase would remediate about 40% of the park and include a partial cap and cover of the remaining contaminated areas.
“Consolidating the waste from Bingham Park and the Hampton school site onto Bingham Park, removing as much as we can for off-site disposal and encapsulating or covering it in a central location on the park so we can come back at a later date to continue remediation,” Lovett said.
Lovett said the projected cost for phase one is $17 million. If approved, work could begin at the end of this year and be completed in 2028.
Greensboro City Councilwoman Crystal Black said the city has secured state funding for phases one and two, but additional funding is still needed for phases three, four and five.
“You will probably be hearing about a capital fundraiser that we can do for stage three,” Black said.
Lovett said phase two would remove consolidated waste for off-site disposal rather than storing it at the center of the park. A liner material and protective cover would then be installed.
$39 Million Project Faces Funding and Community Input Challenges
Phases three through five would remove the remaining waste in thirds, excavating down to bedrock and capping material on site until full remediation is completed. Each of those phases is expected to take nearly half a year and cost between $5 million and $7 million.
Lovett said the full remediation of Bingham Park is estimated to cost more than $39 million and could be completed by 2030 if funding and approvals move forward as planned.
Officials also said the city will monitor air quality and dust control during soil removal and will notify residents if any concerns arise.
City leaders are seeking additional community input before moving forward. The next public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 5 at the Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion.
Connect With Us