Our Greens Farms community is reeling from the sudden, large-scale deforestation by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) along the Sherwood Island Connector, Hillandale Road and West Parish Road in Westport.

In just one week—without any warning to nearby residents or town officials—hundreds of trees were cleared along the perimeter of the DOT’s maintenance facility, which is housed at 900 Post Rd. East and scheduled to undergo a facility renovation and expansion over the next 18 months. This piece of state-owned land in the middle of Westport is surrounded by residential areas on three sides, and the large population of trees that for decades lined the property were not just part of the landscape, they provided a barrier that shielded area homes from the noise, pollution and unsightly views of a high-traffic state operation. (As many of our fellow residents have pointed out, it was also an active wildlife sanctuary.) Now, our quiet, residential neighborhood is completely exposed to an industrial lot filled with trucks, equipment and constant noise.

There are no current plans to replant trees or mitigate the damage, even after the renovation of the DOT facility is completed.

We are calling on the CT DOT and local leaders to:

1. Commit to re-plant a large number of trees and restore the protective landscape along the property’s edge.

2. Engage the community in all future decisions related to this site.

3. Ensure accountability from those overseeing this project.

This isn’t just about trees. It's about quality of life, property values and respect for the people who live here.

We, the residents of Greens Farms and Westport, are asking for immediate action to restore what was lost and ensure that our community has a voice in the future of this site.

Please sign this petition to show your support for reforestation and responsible community engagement.

Let’s make sure this neighborhood isn’t left behind — and that those responsible take meaningful steps to fix what was so carelessly destroyed.