Union County sues companies for unauthorized tree removal from protected parkland

Union County is suing companies for allegedly clearing protected parkland and removing hundreds of trees at Smithfield Park without authorization. The lawsuit claims approximately 1.5 acres of county-owned land, protected under the Green Acres program, were cleared. Companies associated with Open Road Subaru are named defendants. The county seeks damages, restoration of the land, and replanting of trees, citing harm to wildlife and natural habitat.