Judge tosses lawsuit over Fort Greene Park, allowing city to cut down trees
The ruling clears the way for the city to begin construction, which includes removing 78 trees and redesigning the area around the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument.
More Stories
After nearly a decade of delays and lawsuits, the city is moving forward with its controversial plan to renovate Fort Greene Park.
A judge this month dismissed the latest legal challenge filed by Friends of Fort Greene Park, a neighborhood group that’s been fighting the project for eight years.
The ruling clears the way for the city to begin construction, which includes removing 78 trees and redesigning the area around the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument.
The group says it supports many of the planned upgrades, including a new wheelchair-accessible entrance, updated basketball courts and an improved barbecue area.
But members say cutting down so many trees will harm the park’s character and shade.
“They provide shade for runners and walkers and people who just want to sit on the steps and enjoy the summer,” said a longtime Fort Greene resident and member of the group.
The plan also calls for removing two grassy mounds that residents say are popular with children. Those areas would be replaced with a concrete plaza.
The Fort Greene Park Conservancy praised the court’s decision, saying in a statement: "The planned improvements to Fort Greene Park have been stalled for far too long by just a handful of people. Now, the community and park have won. Without further delays, we will get the much needed upgrades for the long-term sustainability and accessibility of the park."
Friends of Fort Greene Park say they’re still considering their next steps.
