CALLICOON – For the past couple of weeks, curious passersby may have been a little stumped as they noticed machinery and wood chips taking center stage at the normally quiet Callicoon Park on Creamery Road, while saws and chippers echoed through the air. Why are so many trees being removed, and what for?

That work is now nearing completion as part of a broader county-led improvement project aimed at addressing safety concerns and damage caused by invasive species.

Sullivan County Department of Parks, Recreation and Beautification Director Brian Scardefield confirmed that a large portion of the removed trees were ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that has devastated ash populations throughout the region. Many of the trees removed had already shown signs of damage, while others were dead or in decline.

“The dead and dying trees posed a hazard, as the branches become quite brittle and can drop from the tree, posing a danger to anyone underneath the canopy,” Scardefield noted.

A smaller number of trees were also removed to make way for planned construction, including a new parking lot and walking trail. However, officials emphasized that efforts are being made to preserve as many healthy trees as possible throughout the project.

The project, overseen by the county with updates provided to the local municipality, saw tree removal completed prior to April 1, with cleanup efforts now nearing completion as of press time.

Despite the progress, the park will remain closed to the public for the duration of the project. How long will that last? According to Scardefield, it will remain closed “until project completion,” as allowing access during construction would pose additional safety risks.

Once finished, the project is expected to improve accessibility to the park, including a planned pathway to the Delaware River. Plans also include a newly constructed parking lot with off-street parking and designated handicap-accessible spaces to better accommodate visitors of all abilities.

Landscaping is also part of the project, with new trees set to be planted to replace those that were removed.

As for what comes next, Scardefield noted that future phases of the park’s development will depend on community needs, feasibility, and available funding.

The tree removal plan was developed in coordination with Fischer Associates, a third-party engineering firm, while Sullivan County Public Works provided labor and equipment for the effort.

Once construction is complete (possibly this fall), the park is expected to open as a publicly accessible and free space, offering improved amenities and, most importantly, safer conditions for visitors.