Opinion ID: 3009922
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Transfer of the Land to Fairview Township and

Text: Conversion Into a Soccer Field In 1970, an executive order directed the Army to identify and dispose of its excess acreage. The Depot identified its former landfill as excess and engaged in negotiations with adjoining Fairview Township (Township) officials to transfer the former landfill to the Township for use as a public recreational area, which would include soccer fields. The land was formally transferred to the Township in 1976. According to both Army officials and Township employee, E. Robert McCollum (McCollum), it was common knowledge that the area was once used as a landfill by the Depot. Indeed, the tract was commonly referred to as Pineapple Junction because of old canned goods that were known to have been disposed of there. No one from the Depot or the Army informed the Township that the landfill contained potentially hazardous or toxic substances. Whether the Army knew the landfill was contaminated before the transfer is a point of contention.3 In 1981, the Township began excavating and leveling the site, now known as Marsh Run Park (Park), for use as a soccer field. The soccer field was completed in 1982 and was used by the Redland Soccer Club from 1982 until the Park was closed on August 28, 1987.