the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood voters have spoken! The highly debated Open Space Trust Fund public question was approved by a decisive margin in the November 4, 2025 General Election, signaling the community’s commitment to prioritizing land acquisition and park improvements.
Huge Win Against Flooding? Bergen County Restores Key Duck Pond Amid $7 Billion River Overflow Risk
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PARAMUS, NJ — Saddle River County Park, a sprawling 577-acre oasis that connects six Bergen County towns, is well-known for its scenic trails—and unfortunately, its persistent flooding issues. However, the County of Bergen is tackling the problem head-on, celebrating a major ecological restoration project while simultaneously seeking further funding to mitigate the immense financial risks posed by river overflow.
Sacred Ground Preserved: Ridgewood Village Council Approves Funds to Restore 9/11 Memorial Trees Honoring 12 Lost Residents
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, with the November election right around the corner and an open space ballot question hanging on the line .The Village of Ridgewood, NJ, is taking action to ensure its solemn tribute to the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001, remains a strong and vibrant symbol of remembrance. While we believe the Village has failed in its remembrance of 9/11, using 9/11 to promote the open space ballot question is extremely bad taste.
Continue reading Ridgewood Honors Its Own: 9/11 Memorial Trees to be Replaced Using Open Space Fund
Ridgewood’s ‘Open Space’ Tax Exposed? Turf Battle Heats Up, Puts League of Women Voters on the Spot
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the political temperature in Ridgewood, NJ, is soaring as the controversial topic of artificial turf fields and the Village’s Open Space Trust Fund takes center stage. A recent statement by the League of Women Voters (LWV) regarding the turf expansion has drawn significant public criticism, leading many to question the transparency and accountability of local political groups and committees.
Continue reading Open Space or Slush Fund? Ridgewood’s Turf War & League of Women Voters Under Fire
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
East Rutherford NJ, a huge milestone was reached last week for residents in East Rutherford and surrounding southern Bergen County communities!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a mystery mailer about the upcoming Ridgewood Open Space referendum has landed in residents’ mailboxes, sparking a fierce debate and raising serious questions about transparency and taxpayer funding. The referendum, set for November 4, 2025, asks voters to approve doubling the Open Space tax in the Village of Ridgewood, New Jersey. But it’s not just the proposed tax hike that has people talking—it’s the peculiar, officially-paid-for piece of campaign material.
Continue reading Anonymous Mailer: Is Ridgewood’s ‘Open Space’ Mailer Hiding Something?
photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Lodi NJ, Bergen County has announced exciting plans for Garibaldi Ave Park in Lodi thanks to funding from the Open Space Trust Fund. According to Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Borough of Lodi was awarded $121,142 to support a major revitalization project for the park.
Continue reading Bergen County Funds Revitalization of Garibaldi Ave Park in Lodi
Ridgewood joins group seeking return of Open Space Trust Fund
JUNE 20, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
Ridgewood has joined a group of municipalities that is seeking restoration of full funding to the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund.
Members of the Village Council unanimously approved last week a resolution endorsing the change, and a copy of legislation will be forwarded to the county executive and freeholder board.
The open space trust fund is fueled by the county open space tax, which all property owners currently pay at a rate of a quarter of one cent per $100 of real property valuation. Ridgewood, led by the village’s Open Space Committee, has asked the county to increase the rate to a full one cent per $100.
In a May 20 letter from the Open Space Committee to Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and the freeholders, Chairman Ralph Currey noted that the county’s open space tax had been set at the one cent figure between 2004 and 2009. During that period, Ridgewood and other municipalities received “vital support” from the trust fund for open space purchases and recreation facility improvements.
The county then slashed the tax by 75 percent in 2010, and “in essence dried up the open space money,” according to Tom Riche, the Village Council representative to the Open Space Committee.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-joins-growing-group-seeking-return-of-trust-fund-1.1038614#sthash.nHecbzBn.dpuf
