Ramapough Lenape Nation Battles Ridgewood Over Proposed Synthetic Turf at Historic Schedler Property

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — As the Village of Ridgewood awaits final environmental sign-offs to move forward with a controversial synthetic turf field at the historic Zabriskie-Schedler property, a powerful new challenge has emerged.

The Ramapough Lenape Nation and allied advocacy groups have officially entered the debate, calling on state regulators to halt construction and permanently protect the location as an Indigenous cultural landscape.

Ramapough Nation Demands Stop-Work Order and Site Protection

In a formal five-page letter submitted on August 27 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the State Historic Preservation Office, Chief Vincent Mann of the Ramapough Lenape Nation’s Turtle Clan and Madeline Betancourt of the Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance requested an immediate stop-work order.

The tribal leadership urges state officials to deny plans for artificial turf and instead evaluate natural, low-impact recreational alternatives that safeguard the property’s living soil, mature trees, and rich history.

The letter highlights extensive archaeological context:

• 27 Documented Sites: Approximately 27 pre-Contact Native American sites exist within two miles of the parcel along local waterways like the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus Brook.

• Ancient Trail System: Ridgewood’s own Master Plan and local historical records confirm that West Saddle River Road—which borders the property at 460 West Saddle River Road—follows an ancient Native American trail.

• Artifact Discoveries: Archaeological testing (Phase IB and Phase II) previously recovered three chert flakes on the site, confirming pre-Contact Native American tool-making activity and short-term campsite use.

Environmental Remediation Completed After Contaminated Fill Removal

The challenge comes just as the village reaches a major milestone in cleaning up the site. Village Manager Keith Kazmark confirmed that soil remediation at 460 West Saddle River Road is finally complete following the removal of 17,408 cubic yards (26,571 tons) of contaminated soil.

The fill material—originally brought to the property between 2018 and 2019—was re-tested in 2024 after state enforcement officials flagged incomplete initial testing. Matrix New World Engineering discovered four contaminants requiring full remediation, including benzo[a]pyrene, a known carcinogen.

What’s Next for the Schedler Property?

Matrix New World Engineering is compiling a final report for the DEP to secure an official clean bill of health. Meanwhile, the village plans to move forward with hardscape work—including a parking lot, walkways, and an access road surrounding the historic Dutch wood-frame farmhouse (nationally landmarked in 2019)—subject to compliance with nine conditions set by the State Historic Preservation Office.

However, with the Ramapough Lenape Nation now formally requesting an independent review of all archaeological studies, the future of the proposed multipurpose sports field remains caught between municipal recreational plans and Indigenous land preservation efforts.

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