Ridgewood Turf Fields Fail Safety Testing After Severe Flood Events
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Following back-to-back storm surges on July 29 and August 7, Ridgewood Public Schools is confronting a serious safety and financial crisis regarding its athletic facilities.
During a recent “Coffee Talk” address, Ridgewood School Superintendent Schwarz revealed that Stevens Field suffered extensive flood damage after nearby waters overran their banks, bypassed the footbridge, and dumped tons of debris onto the south side of the field.
The flooding exposed major vulnerabilities inherent to artificial turf fields, leading to failed safety inspections.
Failed Shock Absorption and Crumb Rubber Risks
During post-flood evaluations, the district’s artificial turf failed mandatory safety protocols designed to protect student-athletes.
“Unfortunately, we did not pass the shock absorption test,” Superintendent Schwarz stated, emphasizing the strict testing standards required for synthetic surfaces.
When flooded and heavily saturated, the crumb rubber infill within artificial turf compacts significantly. As crumb rubber hardens, the surface loses its cushioning properties, drastically increasing the risk of concussions and impact injuries for children.
The district has brought in a specialized firm for a second opinion, and an independent third-party inspector must verify that the fields are safe before student-athletes can return to play.
A Multi-Million Dollar Dilemma: Replacement Looming
The recent flood damage highlights the ongoing, costly maintenance required for synthetic turf installations. With crumb rubber compaction and structural damage taking hold, the district faces a tough road ahead.
Superintendent Schwarz noted the long-term outlook for the district’s athletic fields:
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Impending Replacement: “Fields will need to be replaced in the next 3 to 5 years.”
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Full Reconstruction Required: “Fields will need to be reconstructed in some way, shape, or form.”
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Immediate Focus: The district’s current priority is getting at least one playing field safe and operational for upcoming sports seasons.
Watch the Full Update
You can view Superintendent Schwarz’s full statements during the recorded session directly on YouTube: Watch the Ridgewood Superintendent Coffee Talk Segment
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #StevensField #RidgewoodSchools #ArtificialTurf #BergenCounty #LocalNews #YouthSports
shocking….turf field failed safety tests……and will cost multi millions to replace in the next few years….has anyone thought of grass??
Just bond it. Free money. Ask the Bond King.
and we are destined to repeat the same issues at shedler…..
Hilarious !
Insanity.
Doing the same thing over and over again.
I guess they will bond it because several mathematical morons thinks that’s free money.
The Army Corps of Engineers recommended removing. After 20 years it clearly did not work out as advertised. Along with the health and environmental impacts it is time for artificial turf fields in the Village be removed.
Which would mean no play on the new grass fields for 1 rio 2 years… Where should practices and games be held during this period?
Rob Fitch. So even though proven dangerous, to hell with it. Let the kids play on and play on. Really??
They can read a book.
Well we can’t anyway now, at least for fall sports, we failed it
Honest questions to the handful of grass crusaders: How would you recommend removing all of the debris (rocks, broken glass, random pieces metal, silt, dirt, etc) that would get deposited on the natural grass field just like it does on artificial turf? The artificial turf fields are cleared of this kind of debris by a compact track loader. The same machine would chew up natural grass.
Where would practices be held during rainy periods of the school year like the fall and spring? You can’t have a football, soccer or lacrosse practice, or games for that mater, on a natural grass field that’s waterlogged from rain. The field needs to dry out before a practice or game can resume.
The Columbia study said switching to natural grass would require the fields NOT be used for 1 to 2 years while the grass establishes itself. Which graduating classes of juniors and seniors won’t be able to play their sport while the new natural grass establishes itself?
3 honest questions… please answer without snark if possible.
Wow so you actually read the Columbia study, color me impressed. Therefore you must also understand that turf is not recommended as it is an impervious surface that contributes negatively to the environment. What do you think children did for eons prior to turf. Your turn. What is the environmentally sustainable solution? No snark.
Well no one used the high school football field except the football team for games and by November the field was all dirt and if it rained it was a mud mosh pit.
Girls soccer if anyone watched was hidden behind Sommerville, most of boys soccer played at vets field until it was contaminated with water from the HoHoKus brook, they did not clean the field they just waited until people forgot about the flooding.
Town should take over the valley hospital property and turn it into a bunch of natural turf practice fields and make the stands around BF bigger and use the field only for games.
The grass crusaders are not a handful believe me. They are a force to be reckoned with
It took two days to put down Bermuda grass at MetLife for FIFA.
They grew the grass for three years prior to “putting it down” and had to go to a backup plan because the locally grown grass failed.
Just the facts , Jack!
Grass fields are easily cleared of debris with blowers. Water logging is mitigated with a proper base and drainage. Village is well versed in making alternate arrangements given how frequently the fields have been out of commission. Short term pain but long term will provide more play time, eliminate the health and environmental hazards while greatly reducing the cost to maintain.
no kick backs with grass fields
THIS.
You underestimate the ability of people to sneak kickbacks in.