Trashing Tradition: Vandalism on the Ho-Ho-Kus Town Green Sparks Community Outrage
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, A beloved local landmark was left in shocking condition this past weekend, prompting Borough officials to issue a stern reminder about community respect and legal accountability.
Despite the availability of multiple clearly marked trash and recycling receptacles, the historic Ho-Ho-Kus Town Green was found heavily littered with debris. The damage went far beyond simple carelessness, escalating into outright vandalism that has left local residents and leaders deeply disappointed.
Safety Hazards and Property Damage
According to municipal officials, the aftermath of the weekend gatherings posed immediate risks to the public:
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Smashed Glass: Multiple glass bottles were intentionally shattered across the grass, creating a severe safety hazard for children, parents, and local pets.
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Property Destruction: A permanent landscape light was violently ripped straight out of the ground.
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Widespread Litter: Garbage was deliberately strewn throughout the cherished open green space rather than being placed in bins.
The “Keep the Green Clean” Initiative
Established generations ago, the Town Green is a cornerstone of the Borough, preserved for community events and peaceful recreation. To protect this space, the town launched the Keep the Green Clean initiative in 2022.
The program relies on a simple, foundational rule: anyone who uses this shared public space is entirely responsible for cleaning up after themselves. In light of the recent destruction, Borough officials are urgently requesting that parents have direct conversations with their children about respecting public property, obeying local ordinances, and showing basic consideration for their neighbors.
Rallying Together: Local Heroes Step Up
While the vandalism showed the worst side of a few individuals, the cleanup effort showcased the very best of the Ho-Ho-Kus community.
A dedicated group of local volunteers spent their Father’s Day morning restoring the park. Special recognition was given to Nicole from Restaurant A, whose generous hands-on help was instrumental in making the area safe again for families.
Moving forward, the Borough has stated it will take all necessary and appropriate legal actions to monitor the space and ensure the Town Green remains safe, clean, and beautiful for everyone.
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Tags:
Ho-Ho-Kus NJLocal NewsCommunity AlertVandalismPublic ParksBergen CountyKeep The Green Clean
Shame!
Similar happened several years ago although this sounds/looks worse.
This is right in the middle of town, next to HHK Inn and at Franklin Tpke and Sheridan Ave. It’s half a block from the HHK PD and Borough Hall. Gotta be cops going by every 15 minutes?
Any cameras at the Inn or Restaurant A? Or other stores on Sycamore? Cameras are so cheap and easy, hope there’s one that can ID these vandals.