Eighty-three trees in Fort Greene Park will live to lumber on – at least for now.
That after New York Supreme Court Judge Julio Rodriguez last week ruled that the city’s Parks Department did not perform a required environmental review and remanded the proposed project back to the drawing board to review how it could significantly affect the environment, including the loss of 83 mature trees.
The 25th hour reprieve comes in the continuing battle between park environmentalists and the city’s Parks Without Borders initiative, a $40 million attempt to make eight city parks more accessible, which would also incidentally uproot much of the plant life.
In this case, Rodriguez ruled in favor of plaintiffs Sierra Club, the City Club of New York, and Friends of Fort Greene Park (“FFGP”) in their lawsuit opposing the controversial redesign of the 30.2-acre park bound by Myrtle and DeKalb avenues, Washington Park and St. Andrews Street.
“The Parks Department fell short in its responsibilities to be transparent and accountable throughout its Parks Without Borders design process,” said Friends of Fort Greene President Ling Hsu of the ruling.
“Thankfully, Fort Greene residents came together and prevailed in two lawsuits in a row, saving mature trees from the meaningless destruction the city intended to begin in 2018. The ruling is a reminder to the Parks Department to resume its role as a steward of greenery for the community at historic Fort Greene Park,” she added.
Hsu and the other plaintiffs were particularly vexed at the part of the proposed plan that would demolish a good part of the park’s greenery. Besides chopping down the trees, the plan also calls for the leveling of over 13,000 square feet of grassy mounds to make way for a concrete plaza and fountain, eventually planting sapling trees to replace the old ones.
For the city, the court ruling was a setback for their plans, which included the rebuilding of basketball courts, lighting, pavement and drainage systems. It was also intended to repave Myrtle Avenue’s sidewalks next to the park and revamp the entrance at Washington Park on the northeast corner.
“The court has delayed important park enhancements such as improved accessibility and other benefits that were supported by the community. We disagree with this ruling. The city followed the law and the approvals needed for this type of project. We are reviewing the city’s legal options to continue this important initiative,” said NYC Law Department Spokesperson Nicholas Paulucci.
Meanwhile, City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Height, Crown Height) declined to get involved in the dispute between local environmentalists and the city’s Park’s Department.
“We respect the decision of the court and we hope the Parks Department responds in a timely manner, so as to minimize any delays in construction and execution of the project,” Cumbo said.
