A popular playground is shut down and could remain closed for a couple more weeks after town officials discovered a significant flea infestation. Peri Park remains closed as crews work to eliminate the problem before children can return. The playground was shut down after parents reported their c hildren coming home with flea bites. “We came and investigated and in fact found there were a lot of fleas jumping around, so we closed the playground,” Public Works Director Kristin Arnold said. Eliza Faulk, who brings her toddler to the park regularly, said her son was recently bitten. “Umm… it’s kinda gross,” Faulk said. “He was actually coming away with bites on his skin and we were getting home wondering what they were and we found out they are flea bites from the park.” Lily Chesnut of San Anselmo was looking forward to bringing her kids to the park after a stop at an ice cream shop down the street, but arrived to find the playground closed. “My first reaction is I’ve never heard of that happening before,” Chesnut said. “I guess you would think of ticks or a mosquito infestation or something like that.” Town officials believe the fleas are concentrated in the sandbox and likely came from raccoons living near the playground. Because the town limits the use of pesticides, crews plan to use a specialized steam treatment to kill the fleas while also keeping the raccoons from returning. “We are fairly certain it’s a raccoon that’s living nearby, so we’re working on exclusions to get the raccoons out from where they’re living,” Arnold said. The town hopes to reopen the playground by Aug. 7, but crews must first ensure the flea infestation has been completely eliminated. ...read more read less