Irreplaceable Trees Removed at Citizens Park for New Parking Spots
photos courtesy Village Manager Keith Kazmark and off Facebook
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Local residents and park visitors are voicing concern as multiple mature, irreplaceable trees were cut down this week at Citizens Park on South Monroe Street. The tree removal clears the path for the Village’s construction of 14 new bump-in parking spaces.
While municipal planners state the extra parking aims to ease traffic congestion during busy community gatherings, the loss of these established shade trees has sparked debate over balancing green space preservation with infrastructure demands.
14 New Parking Spaces Groundbroken at Citizens Park
The Village officially broke ground on the parking expansion along South Monroe Street this week.
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Traffic Relief Goal: According to local officials, the 14 new bump-in spots are designed to streamline traffic flow along South Monroe Street toward Godwin Avenue, particularly during high-volume youth sporting events and park activities.
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Fall Park Improvements Ahead: These parking additions serve as the first phase of a broader initiative, ahead of comprehensive lower park enhancements scheduled to begin later this fall.
Balancing Traffic Relief and Environmental Impact
While the added parking offers convenience for sports teams and event attendees, the removal of large trees permanently alters the streetscape and shade canopy along South Monroe Street. As lower park construction begins this fall, community eyes remain focused on how future village projects will impact local green spaces.
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #CitizensPark #TreeCanopy #LocalEnvironment #PublicWorks #BergenCounty #CommunityNews
it’s simple…the sports groups wanted it…
No parents/admin at GW did. Those crosswalks were unsafe. Kids and drivers will have much better sightlines now. That said, I hope they replace the trees nearby.
Badly needed parking. Great improvement. Put new trees in the park somewhere else.
100 correct.
To clarify, these are not 14 “New“ parking spaces. The street was able to accommodate 14 or more cars prior to this construction. This is just a bump in where 14 cars can park. No additional space is being provided.
Fix the sewers and flooding on north Monroe. From W Ridgewood ave to Glen was just about impassable yesterday during the rain. Obviously the sewers are filthy because they were not catching water. They were gurgling and the road was completely flooded on both side. Check that out KK
Dam grates, it has nothing to do with water coming downhill from the North, East and West to the lowest point in that area being Monroe. When the rainfall is more than 1” an hour that buildup is unavoidable absent looking like Los Angeles and its 30’ derp concrete spillways.
Science and Darwin continue to be the winners!!
I life is irreplaceable, trees are 100% replaceable. The safety of our children should mean more than a handful of mature trees.
Yes, seems like everyone forgets about the little child killed because of similar poor parking on Glen Ave when there used to be a little league field in the corner
Zero communications in preparation especially around the trees. Why do we have a communications manager. Never discussed at shade tree meeting.
Very shortsighted. Trees are pumps. They help absorb stormwater. What about shade, air quality, screening from the street? Don’t kids (and adults) benefit from those? Yes, trees are replaceable — if you don’t mind the 25+ year wait while they grow to this size.
We don’t need your stinkin shade tree committee opinions.
Cut ‘‘em down, mommy and daddy need to park right by the field.
No walking for them.
Fort Lee North! Cut them all down!
A stop light would have been cheaper and a lot more efficient, moving the cars over 10′ feet does nothing to help the flow of traffic.
Or if you really want to make it efficient make Monroe one-way Northbound up to Ridgewood Avenue
That piece of land was purchased with donations from long time Ridgewood residents with the specific purpose of a PARK. Not another sports field. They are rolling over in their graves looking at that mudhole, especially when its lights are on.