Residents protest plan to remove trees from Fort Greene Park

Officials say the plan will also add 200 trees to the park. Right now, a judge is still deciding the case.

Melissa Rose Cooper

Apr 2, 2025, 2:51 AM

Updated yesterday

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A group of residents is taking legal action to stop the city from cutting down dozens of trees in Fort Greene Park.
The multimillion-dollar plan is part of a partnership with the New York City Parks Department and the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.
The goal is to make Fort Greene park more accessible with new ramps and more benches for people to enjoy.
Under the plan, 78 trees will be removed — many of them officials say are either in poor condition or are considered invasive and harmful to the park. But members of the group, Friends of Fort Greene Park, say the trees provide much needed relief and shade to everyone who enjoys the park. That’s why they are suing the city to stop the plan from going forward.
"Why are you going to spend taxpayer money taking down 78 mature shade trees that provide such a help for citizens in this area when the city actually wants to increase tree canopy?" asked Joan Reutershan, a member of Friends of Fort Greene Park.
Officials say the plan will also add 200 trees to the park. Right now, a judge is still deciding the case.