Historic Well Leaks Oil Into Millennium Park Lake in Walker
A previously-plugged well in Kent County's Millennium Park in Walker leaked oil into a small lake on Friday, prompting a containment response from the parks department and state environmental regulators.
WALKER, Mich. — A historic, previously-plugged well leaked oil into a small lake at Millennium Park on Friday, the Kent County Parks Department reported.
The affected body of water sits east of Maynard Avenue Southwest inside the park. It does not have public access points and does not connect to any beach areas, the department said.
The parks department said it is working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE, to address the spill. While officials determine the next steps, a containment boom has been placed around the well to help prevent further leakage.
"Millennium Park is an important part of our community, and protecting its visitors and natural resources is something we take very seriously," Kent County Parks Department Director Ben Swayze said. "Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking people to avoid the affected area and refrain from entering or recreating in the lake at this time. We appreciate everyone's cooperation as we work through this situation."
The parks department said it will provide additional information as it continues to monitor the situation with EGLE.
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