>Current demand for use and availability of programs has increased tremendously. The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board is currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive re-evaluation and re-statement of a policy originally adopted in the early 1980’s and modified in parts over the years. This revised policy has been developed with input from the Ridgewood Sports Council and its members, Parks and Recreation Department staff, Ridgewood High School (RHS) Athletic Director, RHS Coaches Association and its members, BOE staff, Ridgewood Community School (RCS) staff and other regular field and facility users and the public.
The current Village Council approved version of the policy is available here. This version is awaiting review and approval by the Ridgewood Board of Education. The first reading by the Board took place on Monday, November 13th. The second reading/discussion will take place on Monday, December 4th. To review the most up-to-date proposal Click here. Please watch for additional updates.
https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/parksandrec/PFPDEC0406.pdf
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>As posted previously, the use of “portable lights” is in all probability a violation of several Village ordinances (nuisance lighting, disturbing noise, and prohibited wheeled vehicles in park areas).
If “portable lights” are recommended, they should not be deployed without first obtaining written authorization from the Village’s chief zoning officer.
>Are their a lot of changes between this and the last field use policy from november or october?
>and you no what stop renting out the ball fields,to so many dont we come first.or is this false info,if it is then iam sorry.
>if its a violation, then you should submit a formal complaint to our Village Gov. It is their job to enforce…. if, in fact you are all correct here. Smart money bets that you are not.
And, as a question… what written authorization from the “Chief Zoning Officer” are we talking about?
“Dear Soccer Teams: I hereby authorize you to violate several Village ordinances. Signed, the Chief Zoning Officer”
Brilliant. Yet another NIMBY entry.
How about permanent lights, which provide a noise-free and safer alternative for our children? Less obtrusive/invasive for all nearby households, as well.
Or… perhaps you dont care about the kids… or other neighbors. Its all about YOU, and making sure that this isnt in YOUR backyard.
Dont try to push this to another school, either. We know who you are and who you’ve contacted.
>”We know who you are and who you’ve contacted” You have no clue who I am….
>This was posted on an earlier “Fly on the Wall” blog about lights. It seems to have relevence here…
The solution to the “noise and light pollution issue” is to eliminate portable generation light systems. These are are low tech lighting systems, intended to “flood” a CONSTRUCTION SITE with light. By design, they fill the surrounding area with light. Aside from the poor design of the actual lamps (for Ridgewood’s intended application), the height of the lights is limited, forcing the lamps to be directed at horizontal angles that magnify the problem known as “obtrusive light pollution” for surrounding neighbors.
The answer is to agree on a field or two where properly designed and permanently installed lights would have little or no impact on residents’ homes. This should be part of the Master Field Recommendation. Part of the recommendations might also be to plant full growth “screening trees” to the sites, if necessary. There are a number of high-tech lighting solutions available to address our specific needs. The advantages of these syestems are TOTAL elimination of generator noise and dramatic reduction in obtrusive light overspill, beyond the fields. This is due to the designs with baffles, which direct the light and result in more efficient energy use. Permanent lights can also be positioned higher than portable lights, which allows the light to be directed downward, not horizontally. A discussion of this can be found at the link below.
https://www.lighting4sport.com/lightcontrol.htm
Recommendations for lighting requirements and reference for questions and answers can be found at these links:
https://www.lighting4sport.com/lightinglevels1.htm.
https://www.lighting4sport.com/faq.htm.
I am sure that this post will generate a flurry of negative response and insults from people who have not bothered to consider the posibilities or get the facts. Some people will claim that installing permanent lights will lead to more playing at night. On the contrary, I would submit that considering properly designed systems may lead to a reduction of the night hours permitted by the VOR as part of a COMPROMISE (God forbid everyone work together).
Before threatening to “stay out of your neighborhood” or ranting and raving about the “evil sports groups” or the failings of the BOE, why not let the options be explored to determine what works best for all of us?
>show me the money bitch.