Storm Damage Forces Closure of Ridgewood School Fields: How Did Local Flooding Get This Bad?

RHS Field 1903  photo,  other photos courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Following recent severe storms that swept across Bergen County, Ridgewood Public Schools announced the immediate closure of all Board of Education (BOE) athletic fields, including the High School Stadium, Stevens, and several non-turf properties.

Cleanup operations are currently underway, with all BOE fields closed through Monday, August 3rd, and Tuesday, August 4th. District officials plan to assess the full extent of the damage before releasing a complete timeline for safe reopening.

As crews work to restore the grounds, the closures have reignited a longstanding community debate: Why is flooding in Ridgewood reaching critical levels so frequently?

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A History of High Water: The $48 Million Referendum

While recent weather patterns have been severe, local residents know that flooding at the high school field is far from a new phenomenon. Historical records show the area has flooded regularly during major rain events dating back as far as 1890.

Despite its location in a known floodplain, the site became the center of a major municipal decision in 2009, when voters approved a $48 million referendum to install artificial turf at the Ridgewood High School Stadium Field.

At the time, community members and environmental advocates fiercely debated the project, raising serious concerns:

• Paving over Natural Drainage: Replacing natural soil and vegetation with non-porous turf materials in a floodplain limits natural groundwater absorption.

• Downstream Runoff: Increased runoff from heavy rain events pushes excess water directly into surrounding infrastructure and nearby fields.

• Long-Term Maintenance: Turfed fields exposed to repeated flooding face frequent sediment buildup, requiring costly cleanup and emergency field shutdowns.

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Looking Ahead: Addressing Infrastructure and Environmental Limits

As the Village of Ridgewood handles yet another round of storm cleanup and field closures, local leaders and taxpayers face ongoing questions about long-term stormwater management and land-use planning.

While field upgrades aim to expand athletic facility access, recent severe storms demonstrate that artificial turf in a natural floodplain comes with compounding environmental challenges.

District officials urge families and sports teams to check official Ridgewood Public Schools updates regarding field conditions and safety clearances before heading out.

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