Green Acres (1985–87) by internationally renowned artist Athena Tacha, is a multimedia, environmental sculpture for the courtyard of the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey in Trenton. It commemorates one of the most successful land preservation projects in the nation. Green Acres combines sculptural “step formations” that serve as seats, a green pavement of slate and granite slabs with sandblasted photographs of the endangered landscapes and species of New Jersey, planters with live plants, and red volcanic rock clusters.

Since Green Acres was installed in 1987, the Dept. of Environmental Protection has failed to maintain this seminal public art work properly and is now proposing to demolish it and replace it with new construction at the cost of $1 million. The Department of Property Management and Construction has decided that "brick cracks, chipped corners and sunken slate slabs" now pose a safety hazard for employees seeking "safe and expeditious evacuation." The Division has asked the artist to remove the sculpture at her own expense before the State begins removal in August.

As steward of New Jersey's rich and diverse natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources, the failure to maintain this asset is antithetical to the mission of DEP. While there may be scarcity of funds to repair public art, it is hard to believe that the State of New Jersey can afford the demolition, design and construction costs associated with replacing "Green Acres." We ask the Dept. of Treasury and Dept. of Environmental Protection to preserve this now historic piece of public art, save it from demolition, and consider another site for new construction.