Lead, DDT found in Brentwood's Robert Clemente Park

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. -- Samples taken from Brentwood's embattled Roberto Clemente Park contained asbestos, DDT, lead and arsenic, according to the Suffolk County district attorney.

"These toxic materials were found in the soccer fields and in the recharge basin in the park," said Thomas Spota on Thursday.

Investigators say samples taken from this dumping site on Rt. 111 in Central Islip next door to homes and businesses contained10 times the permissible limits of pesticides and metal contamination.

Spota confirmed that the same person or entity likely is responsible for some of this illegal dumping. "I just can't give you a timetable if there will be arrests made of one individual, more than one individual corporate entity," said Spota.

Roberto Clemente Park has been closed for weeks and its future is uncertain after a criminal investigation uncovered evidence of illegal dumping at the park.

Earlier in May, Spota called the park an "environmental nightmare."

Prosecutors said a local church asked town officials earlier this year for permission to level-off and regrade the Brentwood park's soccer fields. Once the plan was approved, contractors offered to help the church. But it ended up reduced to mounds of construction debris like bricks, cement, auto parts and broken glass.

Those living near Roberto Clemente park are concerned about their health and the health of their children.

Dr. Matthew Goldman with Southside hospital says if you just walked by the park you're most likely fine but any direct contact with the materials over a long period of time can be harmful.

Brentwood resident Aggie Gonzalez wants answers. "Very terrified, as a grandmother who lives around the corner, very terrified," she said.

But Dr. Matthew Goldman, of Southside Hospital, said that extended exposure would lead to high risk. "Any of these chemicals and metals are potentially toxic, but usually it's an acute exposure like an ingestion that's the high risk or over a long period of time kind of consistent exposure," he said.