The Great Green Irony: Why Artificial Turf at Ridgewood’s Earth Day is Making Waves
PJ Blogger: the photo has been edited to focus on the turf at the Ridgewood Earth Day Event , not attack a Volunteer as some of blog trolls did . Lets keep the focus on the issue and not get distracted by silly name calling. Someone clearly droped the ball or thought they could get away with gaslighting the residents .
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood, NJ — They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the latest snapshot from Van Neste Square has left residents saying only one: Really?
Ridgewood NJ, In a move that feels more like a scene from a satirical comedy than a local festival, Ridgewood Parks & Rec celebrated Earth Day by covering the natural, breathing grass of our town center with artificial turf. Paving Paradise with Plastic While the intentions were likely rooted in “boosting” the aesthetic for social media, the optics are hard to ignore. Earth Day is traditionally a time to honor biodiversity, soil health, and the reduction of synthetic waste. Bringing a massive plastic rug to a nature celebration feels like a literal interpretation of the classic lyric: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
Why the “Digital Aesthetic” Failed the Environment
The move was reportedly made to provide a clean, “instagrammable” surface for the event’s social media coverage. However, the community feedback is clear:
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The Heat Island Effect: Synthetic turf can reach temperatures significantly higher than natural grass.
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Microplastic Concerns: Earth Day is usually a platform for reducing plastic, not unrolling it by the acre.
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The Irony Factor: Using fossil-fuel-based products to celebrate the Earth is a disconnect that even the best filters can’t hide.
A Learning Moment for Ridgewood
Ridgewood has always been a leader in community engagement. As we look toward future town events, this “Turf-Gate” serves as a reminder that sustainability isn’t a backdrop—it’s the main event. Next year, let’s keep the grass real and the plastic in the recycling bin.
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Nothing is more earthy than plastic. This only makes sense in one, dull-witted blonde head In Ridgewood.
Me thinks, lots of money to be made off of artificial turf
Yeah, what’s that jerk doing volunteering his time for a program to benefit kids. And what’s that jerk doing volunteering 4 hours on a Sunday to benefit the community. Stupid jerk.
Terrible human indeed. Instead of volunteering for the community and the kids he should be sitting at home writing negative hit pieces on adults out volunteering for the community and kids.
Go fluck yourself…
Soccer bunnies love turf !
Que , the a$$kissers
The only thing more artificial than the plastic turf is Ridgewood’s commitment to sustainability.
And the parks and rec department. Starting with Bigios
Lets plant all 250 trees directly under power lines
The part where this was posted by the Village of Ridgewood themselves really ties the whole satire together.
regardless of the gentleman’s movitation , it just not a good look for EARTH DAY
One day someone will ask what people in charge did when it mattered. This will be part of the answer.
Losers. It’s not just the turf that’s synthetic—it’s the accountability.
Fake controversy and stupid post.
if you are not seeing the problem with turf at an earth day event,you are the problem
all true but makes no difference , you will all just vote D , so the whole council will get reelected , they have nothing to fear from voters
Yep
Complain 24/7 but will still vote D
who’s idea was it to bring turf to and Earth Day fest ????
Parks and rec allowed it. What does that say?
Nancy Bigios let it happen. Question her?
so typical of the “new ridgewood”
The hypocrisy. The one amazing that we had for years, she has coached multiple of my daughters. She’s the one that voice is concerned and the Maroons fired her for refusing to stay silent about issues that many of us parents don’t even know when it comes to artificial turf. Really it’s unbelievable that they would show up at Earth Day.
What a ridiculous post. I’m all about protecting the environment and am very open to a thorough debate on the benefit/drawback of turf fields, but why throw the guy in the photo under the bus? Looks like he’s volunteering for the local soccer league which benefits kids and familes across our community. I don’t get it.
Such utter bs – this photo and the comments. This guy is a VOLUNTEER – he is promoting non-profit RSA. There is no implied message with the turf – it is to keep feet dry. Give me a freaking break. this crap is why people don’t volunteer. Do better James.
Village of Ridgewood, you didn’t just miss the point of Earth Day- you published it.
Dear Ridgewood Communications Person,
You really looked at this… and hit post? 🤦♀️
Carol works for Kazmark. 100 grand salary plus benefits to play with social media all day. Gotta love it!!
Nancy Bigios approved all registration is what I was told which means she should have vetted it. She also hasn’t objected to turf at Schedler.
hahahaha now the blog “crops the picture”
Village of Ridgewood Parks & Recs Dept. posted the picture including the volunteer and made it public.