09/09/2026
NEWS RELEASE - Santa Anita Park Pauses Tree Removal Permit as Course Design is Reevaluated
(ARCADIA, CA) – Following extensive public input on the permit application to remove 34 protected trees within the proposed cross-country equestrian course for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Santa Anita Park has requested that the City of Arcadia suspend its review of their permit.
With the application now on pause, the City’s administrative review process is also suspended. At this time, there is no decision pending before City staff or the Arcadia City Council regarding the proposed tree removals.
During an August 27 community meeting at Santa Anita Park, stakeholders asked questions, raised concerns about impacts to trees and wildlife, and offered suggestions to improve the proposal. In response to the significant public input, Santa Anita Park and LA28 have committed to reevaluating their proposed course design and opportunities to reduce impacts to protected trees.
“I appreciate Santa Anita Park, LA28, and all involved parties for listening and responding to the concerns that have been raised,” said Mayor Paul Cheng. “I was grateful to join project stakeholders and community members on August 27 and hear firsthand the thoughtful perspectives that were shared. The input provided by Arcadians and environmental advocates at that meeting has been an important part of the public process, and I am encouraged by the project team’s willingness to reconsider the proposal in response to that input.”
Santa Anita Park applied in late July to remove 34 protected Oak trees to facilitate the proposed cross-country course. The application followed due diligence efforts that first began in summer 2025, when arborists inventoried more than one-third of the 900-plus trees along the back of the property. Planning for the course has included geological sampling and testing, with arborist reports and biological assessments available on the City’s website for review.
Healthy tree removal permits are processed administratively by the City’s Development Services Department. Prior to the August 27 meeting, the City had committed to withholding a decision on the pending application until Santa Anita Park and LA28 had an opportunity to provide additional information about the proposal and hear directly from the community.
Should a revised permit application be submitted, the public notification process will restart, providing the community an opportunity to review and input on the revised plans. If the existing permit application process resumes without changes to the course design, stakeholders who have contacted the City on this matter will be notified.
Santa Anita Park was selected as the venue to stage the Games equestrian events due to its ability to host all three events in one location: dressage, eventing, and jumping. As Arcadia gets ready to welcome the Games, community members are encouraged to stay involved in the process. The City remains committed to keeping the community informed throughout the application process and ensuring that all applications follow the applicable review and notification procedures.
Updates and relevant information can be found at: www.ArcadiaCA.gov/OakTreesatCCC.
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Full Release: https://www.arcadiaca.gov/?rz=newsDetails&id=429
