photos by Boyd Loving
February 21,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, its done the Village of Ridgewood has cut down the iconic Graydon Sycamore AKA ,the “Money Tree” . Many long time residents think this spells doom for the Village .
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file photo by Boyd Loving
REMOVAL OF SYCAMORE TREE ON ISLAND AT GRAYDON POOL
February 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village arborist and an independent arborist have both determined that the sycamore tree, on the island at Graydon Pool, must be removed due to the fact that a major portion of the trunk of the tree is hollow and poses a safety concern. Residents who would like to photograph the tree or visit the tree, prior to it being removed, may do so through February 19, 2018.
file photo by Boyd Loving
I watched this “show”.
The council seemed more focus on that dumb sycamore tree at Graydon that has no significance.
What an embarrassment watching the mayor talk about making available dainty bundles of twigs for those who miss the rotted tree.
![ice_skating_4[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ice_skating_41.jpg "ICE SKATING IN THE VILLAGE RIDGEWOOD")
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Parks and Rec
January 31,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Department of Parks and Recreation monitors the ice on local ponds. The most recent ice tests indicate:
Twinney Pond (Red Birch Court) – NO SKATING ALLOWED
King’s Pond (Lakeview Drive) – NO SKATING ALLOWED
Gypsy Pond (off Rock Road) – NO SKATING ALLOWED
Graydon Pool (corner N. Maple and Linwood) – NO SKATING ALLOWED
Habernickel Pond (Hillcrest Road) – NO SKATING ALLOWED
Please check back to this site for additional updates, or you may call the Stable at 201-670-5560 during business hours, weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.
file photo by Boyd Loving
from Marcia Ringel, The Preserve Graydon Coalition,
Last night I submitted three comments separately. Only the last one appeared (making no sense of its “P.S.”) I asked about this and was informed that the spam filter has been acting up. PJ asked me to send them again. Here they are:
Interesting that this announcement appeared the day after I submitted an OPRA request for the arborist’s report. Here is my argument: Is it possible that this is all accurate and the tree poses a danger? Sure. But if your doctor says, “There’s nothing I can do; you’re dying,” do you buy a cemetery plot or seek a second opinion? Rutgers has an expert in every county and the one in Hackensack might conceivably agree to look at the sycamore. This is not just any tree, but one that has been admired, photographed, and painted by residents and others for many decades. The decision to cut it down would feel a lot more valid if confirmed by another tree expert. If Rutgers can’t do it, the town can pay for it. An expert arborist has agreed to do a complete report for $750. That is only $50 more than was spent in tax money to create a video that has now been officially deemed an ethical failure. Our sycamore deserves a second opinion. It will hardly be free to take it down. Having a professional written report in the records would help to protect the village in case of an accident. When the town talks about safety, what percentage of that is fear of liability?
Regarding the age of the tree: the Ridgewood Library’s local history section has photos of the sycamore taken before the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the stone wall around the periphery of the Graydon swimming area and a smaller version of the wall around the tree island. (There used to be two such islands with trees along the Linwood Avenue side; one was removed when the swimming area was formalized from its earlier swimmin’-hole past.) The WPA also built the Skaters Shelter, now used as the badge office and food concession but intended as a place to warm one’s toes while ice skating. The cornerstone of that building, located in the lower right corner as you face the door to the badge office, says “1936.” The angles at which the sycamore’s limbs are extended in both old and more recent photos make it clear that the same tree has been there all along, watching Ridgewood go by for over 80 years and perhaps far more. Let’s give it a second look before we knock it down.
P.S. Anyone wishing to endorse this proposal (a second opinion) can reach the Village Manager by calling Village Hall at 201-670-5500 ext. 201 or via email at [email protected]. If this interests you, please don’t wait.
file photo by Boyd Loving
There is no way that this tree is dying. I have three sycamores on my property and on that of my neighbors located not far from Graydon and each look the same as the one at Graydon. FWIW, the Almstead folks determined recently that each was healthy and thriving. When the limbs start dying and in danger of dropping, then then time arrives to seek an opinion on its viability; not before
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
October 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, It is a very sad day for Ridgewood. The iconic sycamore tree located on the island within Graydon Pool is dying and will be removed by workers from the Village’s Shade Tree Division sometime during November. Ridgewood Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon made this sad news public during the Village Council meeting held on Wednesday, 10/11. The existing tree is being removed to ensure the safety of Graydon’s many visitors. According to Mr. Sedon, the Village anticipates planting a new tree in the same location within the next 6-9 months
file photo by Boyd Loving
September 15,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Recycle your unwanted documents and papers by safely shredding them! Give your paper a safe retirement ….Shred it!
Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9AM (No early arrivals) to 12:30PM – Rain or Shine! NEW LOCATION – Graydon Pool, 200 Northern Parkway, Ridgewood. (Our event ends when the truck is full)
-Watch your documents on camera as they are securely shredded by Shred-It
-Place items for shredding in a paper bag or a cardboard box only. NO PLASTIC BAGS
-Limit five (5) file-size boxes per vehicle
-Free to all Ridgewood Residents and businesses ONLY
-YES – Cancelled Checks, Computer Printouts, Copy Paper (all colors) Envelopes, Letterhead, Stationary, etc.
-NO Binder Clips or Binders, No Plastics, No Shipping Envelopes, No Photos, No Carbon paper, No Non-paper Items
-For additional program information, please visit us online at www.ridgewoodnj.net and click on Government>Departments>PublicWorks>Recycling
When it comes to swimming spots, New Jersey isn’t lacking. We’ve got gorgeous ocean beaches all along our coast, river beaches, lake beaches, bay beaches, municipal pools, quarries, waterparks… If you’d like to take a dip, the Garden State has got you covered. Of course, there are more New Jerseyans than swimming spots, so some can get crowded. If you’re looking to discover a hidden gem, here it is.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/nj-natural-swimming-hole/
file photo by Boyd Loving Mobi Chair
How do you know there is no demand for Graydon to be open weekends in Sept. until summer ends. around Sept. 21.
I know plenty of people at the pool this summer who want it open in Sept.
It could be a PART OF THE POOL that is open. Not espensive for one or two lifeguards.
There is a demand and a big one for Sept. weekends.
As for that handicapped ramp. No one uses it. The kids play on it. And that is dangerous. Climbing the bars.
No wheel chair has ever rolled down that ramp into the deep water . And that is a good thing. The wheel chair denizen would have drowned. I am at Graydon everyday and I see on one uses it. No one walks down that ramp either . It is slippery.
In Allendale at Crestwood they have moveable rubber MOBI Mats for crippled people and they work excellently.
That is what we wanted what I wrote a letter about in the Record and spoke about at town meetings. But Aronsohn gang won out.
Believe me folks, no one uses that ugly ramp. I know because I am at Graydon everyday.
Also concrete area around ramp is uncomfortable on your feet. not soft like sand.
August 22,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Graydon Pool summer late Season Hours of Operation – August 14 through Labor Day, September 4
Weekdays – 12 Noon to 7:30PM
Weekends – 10AM to 7:30PM
AMENITIES at Graydon Pool : Accessibile ramp for entry into the pool, Spray fountains, Adirondack chairs & Shade systems; Volleyball & Basketball Courts; Recreational Games of Shuffle Board, Four Square, Hop Scotch and Ping-Pong; Picnic Tables and Charcoal Grills; Shaded Playground and Sitting areas for Parents with young ones; The Water’s Edge Cafe – Open daily Noon to 7PM.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS: Instructiojnal Swim/Fitness for children and adults; Competitive Graydon Swim Team , ages 8 – 17; Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Yoga, Kayaking Introduction; Storytime Under the Pavilion; Movies on the Beach; Live Concerts Monthly.
file photo by Boyd Loving
July 29,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Starting Tuesday, August 1, village residents may buy a badge for the rest of the summer (through Labor Day) at half price.
Half-price Graydon badges are valid for the last 35 days of the swimming season–5 full weeks of fun in the sun (weather permitting).
Late-season badges, offered to Ridgewood residents only, cost $60 per adult (versus $120 for full season) and $55 per child (versus $110 for full season).
Order online through CommunityPass at ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass or in person at the Graydon badge office.
Celebrate steamy August and early September at the beach in our back yard. Kids returning from camp can enjoy a dip with friends old and new…build sand castles…cool off with ice cream on the patio…play volleyball and other games…pass the deep-water test…chill out before school starts.
HOURS OF OPERATION, August 1 through Labor Day (end of season)
Tuesday, August 1, through Sunday, August 13:
10 AM to 7:30 PM (7 days a week)
Monday, August 14, through Sunday, September 3:
Weekdays (Monday through Friday): noon to 7:30 PM
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday): 10 AM to 7:30 PM
Monday, September 4 (Labor Day):
10 AM to 7:30 PM
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
July 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Two (2) new pedestrian controlled, illuminated crosswalk warning devices have been installed at the mid-block, Linwood Avenue crosswalk connecting Graydon Pool and Vets Field.
July 25,2017
the staff of The Ridgewood Blog
Ridgewood NJ, An anonymous tipster alleges that the Village’s tree crews are illegally dumping wood chips too close to the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, on a walking path connecting Maple Field to the Graydon Pool parking lot.
Several years ago, NJDEP formally cited PSE&G for doing the same thing, only PS was dumping the chips on their right of way, which adjoins the Brook between Spring Avenue and Grove Street.
We assume the Village will plead ignorance to the law?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, while Paramus’s Jimmy Criscione leads the North Jersey contingent into the 96th New Jersey Junior Championship.
Davis Weil of Ridgewood who as a junior, led Ridgewood to its first trip to the state Group 4 final in several years joins the list of Bergen County golf heavyweights.
Monday will feature an 18-hole stroke-play qualifier, with the low score 16 advancing to Tuesday morning’s first round match play. With the final of this New Jersey State Golf Association event on Wednesday afternoon.
The 47th Boys Championship will run simultaneously .The Boys Championship is for ages 15 and under and will feature Liam White of Ridgewood among the 18 players competing for the title.
