A state Supreme Court judge dismissed a lawsuit aiming to block a $24 million renovation of Fort Greene Park, clearing the way for construction to begin early next year, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
“The Court finds it critical and convincing that only a small amount of the area’s trees will be removed, and that many of the trees to be removed are Norway Maples, which are inappropriate for New York City Parks and which will be replaced with native species more suited to the environment,” Judge Ariel Chesler wrote.
The lawsuit, filed by Friends of Fort Greene Park, challenged the Parks Department’s environmental review and claimed the plan would violate the state’s Green Amendment by harming air quality through the removal of mature trees.
The judge ruled the city had properly reviewed the environmental impacts and found the benefits of the renovation would outweigh the short-term loss of trees. The decision supports the city’s plan to remove 78 trees, most of which are invasive Norway maples, and replace them with approximately 200 native trees, the paper reported.
The renovation will include new ADA-accessible sidewalks and paths, a redesigned northwest entrance at Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street, upgraded bathrooms, refurbished basketball courts, a new fitness area and improved drainage systems.
Although construction is not expected to start until early 2026, the city is moving forward with procurement and permitting. Friends of Fort Greene Park is considering whether to appeal the decision, keeping the debate alive over balancing mature tree preservation with park accessibility and infrastructure improvements, the paper said.
