New Cut Landfill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New Cut Landfill |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Location | Ellicott City, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°14′51″N 76°47′47″W / 39.24750°N 76.79639°W |
| Status | Converted |
| Construction cost | $462,000 (Solar) |
New Cut Landfill is a special place in Ellicott City, Maryland, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It used to be a landfill, which is a place where trash is buried. Today, it's known by other names like Worthington Park, Worthington Dog Park, and Worthington Elementary. This area has changed a lot over the years!
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A Look Back: Its History
Long ago, from 1894 to 1922, a school called Rock Hill College had a fun place nearby. It was a recreation area known as "Forty Acres on New Cut." Imagine students playing and relaxing there!
From Landfill to Green Energy
The New Cut Landfill was quite large, covering about 83 acres. It stopped taking trash in 1980.
What is a Landfill?
A landfill is a big area where garbage is buried. Over time, as trash breaks down, it can create gases and sometimes affect the ground and water around it.
Cleaning Up the Area
After the landfill closed, people found that the groundwater nearby had some chemicals in it, like paint solvents. In 1985, there was a plan to burn a gas called methane that came from the buried trash. Later, in 1993, the county made sure that homes around New Cut got clean city water. This was important because some chemicals in the groundwater were higher than safe levels for drinking.
Powering Up with the Sun
Today, New Cut Landfill has been transformed into something amazing! In September 2011, about 2,000 solar panels were put in place. These panels turn sunlight into electricity, creating a solar farm. This project was helped by a grant from the Maryland Department of Energy. It's a great example of how old sites can be used to create clean, renewable energy for everyone!
