Arcadia residents push back on Santa Anita Park's plan to remove trees for 2028 Olympics
ARCADIA, Calif. (KABC) -- Residents voiced opposition Thursday to a proposal to remove dozens of oak trees at Santa Anita Park as part of preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The proposal from Santa Anita Park would remove 34 oak trees and affect the root zones of an additional 45 oak trees to make room for an equestrian cross-country course. The trees are protected under a preservation order.
Neighbors at a community meeting held to discuss the proposal expressed frustration over the potential loss of the trees and questioned the project's environmental impact.
"I'm perturbed for a lot of reasons. One, I like trees and these trees gotta be 150 years old. They're old," Arcadia resident Dennis Cosso told Eyewitness News.
Another attendee said, "They were greenwashing everything."
Opponents of the proposal said they intend to continue fighting the plan.
"We are not backing down. We will pursue every option to oppose this destructive plan," said Arcadia resident Jessica Richards.
Representatives from LA28 and Santa Anita Park told attendees that removing the trees is necessary to ensure the safety of equestrians operating the course.
"When we started this process there was potentially more trees that were going to be impacted. All the parties involved take that very seriously, so we have modified the course in order to keep it safe for the athletes, both equine and human, while reducing the impact to the environment," said Ashlyn Moore, vice president of equestrian operations.
"We are working closely with the City of Arcadia, Santa Anita Park and the International Federation to ensure community concerns are heard. A decision on the best path forward for the Cross Country course for Olympic Equestrian Eventing has not yet been made," a spokesperson for LA28 said in a statement.
Santa Anita Park said it plans to plant new trees to replace the oaks if they are removed. Officials also said the course would remain in place after the Olympics.
"This will live on well after the Games so after 2028 this will remain in existence. It's also a fantastic opportunity to invite more types of horse sport to Santa Anita Park," Moore said.
The public meeting gave residents an opportunity to raise concerns about the proposal. Santa Anita Park will have the opportunity to either modify their application to the city or keep it as is.
