South Orange, NJ (October 21, 2022)

Thanks for inquiring about what’s going on here in Grove Park!  As you can see, many large trees were recently removed.  Most of these trees were ash trees, a species that was widely used in the original design of the park.  Ash trees are currently being attacked by an invasive pest called the Emerald Ash Borer.   To learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer, check out these links: 

https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/emeraldashborer.html

https://sogreenteam.wordpress.com/2021/03/26/emerald_ash_borer/

In the weeks and months after the diseased trees are removed, South Orange Village will be working in partnership with residents and community groups to plan the future of Grove Park.  Visitors will see the tree stumps being ground and may notice a few new trees being planted.  Behind the scenes, South Orange residents, community groups, and town officials are seizing this opportunity to undertake a comprehensive planning and improvement process for Grove Park.  

If you’d like to get involved in shaping the future of Grove Park, please email so@southorange.org with the subject line: Grove Park Planning

South Orange, NJ (July 28, 2022) – The removal will be completed by Trusty Tree Service, LLC and the South Orange Public Works Department beginning Monday 8/8 and continuing through Thursday 8/11.

“It’s devastating to have to remove these trees and we do not undertake this action lightly. Unfortunately, the trees are dead or dying and will pose a public safety risk to all who use our park if not removed,” stated Village Trustee Bill Haskins. “The trees have been examined by our arborist who determined that they must come down immediately,” added Haskins. 

South Orange Village will engage neighborhood stakeholders, Village professionals, elected officials and volunteers to create a tree replacement and landscaping plan. While many of the trees in question are Ash trees effected by an Emerald Ash Borer infestation, other species of trees are also at the end of their life. An examination of site conditions will be undertaken to ensure that the replacement plan will be successful. 

Located in the historic Montrose section of South Orange, Grove Park was established in 1908. The history and original landscape plan for Grove Park can be found here: History of Grove Park.

Questions can be directed to dpw@southorange.org