Our family, especially our toddlers, love the parks in Murrysville. We’ve spent countless hours on the playgrounds at Murrysville Community Park and hiking through Duff Park. Which is why it was alarming to hear of our council’s plan to lease oil/gas rights there.
Even though fracking happens below the surface, there are documented impacts. Look at Deer Lakes Park, which had a similar fracking arrangement. The lakes were contaminated with chemicals associated with fracking, leading to the ban of future fracking at all Allegheny County parks.
It is especially concerning that the two well pads (Titan and Poseidon) that will be used already have 72 on-site violations. Allowing them to drill into our parks will only lead to more violations and possible contamination. A Pitt study has shown there are health risks, especially to children, when exposed to nearby fracking activity.
Our kids and citizens should trust that they can enjoy our parks and not be exposed to dangerous chemicals. There are other ways to raise money that don’t put our natural resources or our children’s health at risk. The final vote happens when the council meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. Stop fracking in our parks by attending and voicing your concerns. You can also sign https://rb.gy/i6180v asking council to vote to deny any leases for fracking on or under Murrysville parks.
Meredith Juchniewicz
Murrysville