Marc Levy Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park in East Cambridge has been closed since Sept. 10 for soil contamination concerns.

The Cambridge City Council’s discussion about rebuilding Gold Star Mothers Park also reflected the city’s new spirit of austerity.

The park has been closed since Sept. 10, after chemical contamination was found in soil beneath a basketball court. Further sampling showed elevated levels of metals, industrial chemicals and hydrocarbons in other parts of the park. At its Monday meeting, the City Council granted $1 million from free cash to clear a stockpile of contaminated soil and start design work.

But staff estimated that it could cost a total of $10 million to reopen the park, East Cambridge’s largest open space. And spending that money will mean “other pro

See Full Page