County leaders say community activism helped to save native trees along GW Parkway

Arlington leaders believe people-power helped sway National Park Service officials to re-evaluate plans for clearing more trees and vegetation adjacent to the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the county.

The acting superintendent of the GW Parkway announced on Friday (Oct. 18) that a “full review” would be conducted before anything else happens in the verdant buffer area between the roadway and the Potomac River below it.

“This will include opportunities for public engagement, ensuring transparency and community involvement,” Christine Smith said in a statement.

The Park Service “will not remove trees to restore vistas before we consider the results of the review and public-engagement process,” Smith said.

That won’t bring back some of the trees that already had been culled. But the decision was applauded by some of those who had raised the alarm about the situation.

“I appreciate the Superintendent taking a pause,” said Glenn Tobin of Arlington, who had spent the preceding week attempting to draw public attention to the issue.

What’s already done is done, but Tobin — a veteran park volunteer including for the National Park Service — told ARLnow he believed this could prove a beneficial, long-term learning experience.

“I am hopeful that we can conclude to forever stop the clearing of mature forest for the sake of views in the north section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway,” he said. “I’m also hoping the National Park Service will step up to replant in the areas recently damaged.”

Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey was a little less publicly forgiving. She briefly but forcefully addressed the issue at this past Saturday’s County Board meeting.

“It’s pretty appalling. It’s really upsetting,” Garvey said of Park Service actions.

In the same breath, though, she praised the local residents who “tried to save the National Park Service from itself.”

Garvey’s County Board colleague, Susan Cunningham, who walked the site with Tobin several days before the halt was called, said local residents have a lot to be proud of in quickly getting the attention of federal officials.

“This week was a great example of community members, local and federal government working together,” Cunningham told ARLnow on Saturday (Oct. 19). She pointed to efforts made by the office of Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Tobin and Jill Barker, chair of the county’s Park and Recreation Commission.

“As Jill and Glenn had shown, community involvement in issues can sometimes make all the difference,” Cunningham said.

National Park Service officials on Sept. 23 had announced plans to rehabilitate 15 “historic views” between North Donaldson Overlook and Spout Run Parkway . About three acres of trees were slated to be removed, mostly non-native and invasive species.

“The project will restore scenic vistas that have been lost over the years, ensuring future generations can enjoy the same views that have inspired visitors for decades,” officials said then.

But after fielding criticism, work was stopped effective Oct. 16. Smith said the upcoming review would be conducted under the auspices of the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act .

She urged those interested in the subject to sign up for the online newsletter focused on the Parkway project.