December 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, new vision for Schedler Field is a grand compromise . Like many of you we immediately thought here we go again. However the Schedler ad hoc committee attempted to balance historical preservation, sports , passive parks , the neighborhood , traffic and the environmental impact.
First a little back ground :
Zabriskie–Schedler House is one of the last remaining 1820’s Dutch wood frame houses in Bergen County
In 2003, Ridgewood Open Space Committee submitted plan identifying Schedler property as a “first-priority” target for acquisition by Ridgewood
In 2007, Village was informed that family would be selling Schedler property
In 2008, Open Space Committee provided Council with report recommending that “the initial development [of Schedler property] consist of a parking lot, a baseball diamond and overlay multipurpose field (without lights or restrooms), with the remainder of property left as passive recreation space with wooded areas and a disabled-accessible (ADA compliant), senior-friendly paved walking path around the perimeter”
In 2008, Open Space Committee urged Village to acquire Schedler property, warning that “if the property is acquired by a private developer, the Village will face the possibility of a ‘builder remedy’ suit forcing the Village to accept high-density multi-family residential development of the property including affordable housing units”
In 2009, Village purchased Schedler property for $2.7 million with grants from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund
In 2013, Village purchased Shotmeyer property, a .358 acre parcel of land that was surrounded by the Schedler property, for approximately $90,000.
In 2015, Council passed resolution adopting Open Space Committee’s recommendation for passive and active park that included playground, walking path, 90 ft. baseball diamond, and a 120 x 75 yd. multi-purpose field. Resolution also provided road map for stabilization and possible restoration of Schedler house
In 2017, the Council rescinded 2015 resolution, deciding instead to re-analyze the proposed plan for Schedler, and appointed this Ad Hoc Committee to propose a development plan.
In the end they came up with a very scaled down sports field with no baseball diamond , some parking , removal of dead and or dangerous trees , an eye on preservation and enriched passive park options with respect to the neighbors and neighborhood.
It appears to be a nice balance between the neighborhood, sports and historical preservation and recreation.
see the committee presentation :
https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/news/1677-schedler-ad-hoc-committee-presentation-to-village-council