From June 19,2013,
My name is Richard Huffman and I am writing to give a little history on the property that is now known as the Habernickel Family Park. I lived on the farm from 1950 until 1977.
My dad, Arthur C. Huffman, bought it in disrepair from a doctor who had previously bought it years before to become a recuperative home for his sickly child who suffered from breathing problems. The doctor spent a huge amount of money and time planting many of the beautiful trees that now grace the property, hoping that they would help his child,s breathing problems, but, unfortunately, the child died before the project was completed, We named the property Sweetbriar Farms. My dad founded Huffman & Boyle Furniture (later Huffman-Koos) and was a prominent member of the community.
Over the years, the farm was always open to the public. Ice skating on the pond all winter, fishing in the summer, Boy Scout camp outs in the lower fields, and hiking through the woods. The Kuiphers (Habernickel) family bought the farm part of the property from my dad in the late 1970s and, in 1986, bought the last 2 acres where our house was located after my father had passed away.
I am surprised that the that the town chose to name the park after the prior owners since, at $7.4 million, it was in no way a charitable donation by the Habernickel family. They made a very handsome profit on the sale to the town. A more appropriate name for the park would have been Hillcrest Park.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/a-little-history-on-the-property-that-is-now-known-as-the-habernickel-family-park/
Absolutely agree with this – – the property was purchased with our tax dollars at market price (and right before a drop in the real estate market.) It was not in any way a gift to the Village and should not have been named in honor of someone unless there was a compelling reason. (There might have been, but I don’t know what the reason was.)
Unfortunately, no one can predict the market would decline and so this is no fault of the buyers or sellers. The sell price to the town was below the market value as compared to a price condo developers would have paid. So in some sense it was reduced, but wouldn’t say it was charitable and for that reason, sounds like just as good as any to call it Habernickle. Could it have been called the horse farm of Ridgewood or Hillcrest Park , yes but not sure what value rehashing this does – other than it’s exhausting.
Oh there was a compelling reason to name it Habernickel all right. Gwenn Habernickel Hauck.
There is a move afoot to re-name it Antine Park
I would say re name it but scared they may call it healthbarn since all you see are t- shirts doting that business
I agree the hanernicles made a pretty penny off of the sale not charitable at all. Name it Hillcrest Park, get rid of the privately owned business and bring it back to the beautiful park it was 3 years ago. “ Let the children play “ ( for free and unscheduled ) not $$$ to a business using all 11 acres
Such a sweet story. Did the habernicels welcome people to enjoy the space like the Huffman’s. Now all you see are field trips and campers. I assume this is for a handsome fee not innocent play as what should be happening there. Let the neighborhood kids have their park back
Change the name
I was a good friend of the oldest huffman daughter and spent many hours on the farm. The Huffmans love “Sweet Acres”..Loved their horses and were great people. Too bad money has gotten in the way of a beautiful piece of property that many of the older generation remember. We remember Ridgewood as a lovely place to live and spend our childhood. Material things were not the most important part of our lives. Name it “ Sweet Acres “.
hi Rich, I decided to google your name as I am about to call Jim Athas who just moved to Florida two weeks ago and I am listening to CSN on my computer. CSN was first heard at your pool when we were hanging out there back in the summer of 1969. Anyway send me a private email as I would like to hear from you and get caught up
Hi Rich, remember many great times at that property. Have seen the Johnson brothers frequently over the years. Drop me a line would love to catch up
Hi Rich, remember many great times at that property. Have seen the Johnson brothers frequently over the years. Drop me a line would love to catch up. Plenart1@verizon.net