Petition Making the Rounds to Save Ridgewood’s One of a Kind Historic Schedler Property

To Our Community: 

Please sign the petition to implement the adopted Schedler Park plan. 

At a recent meeting, the new Village Council moved to replace the Schedler Park plan (approved by Resolution 18-236), adding a full-sized regulation turf field. The approved plan, now in jeopardy, balanced the needs of the impacted neighborhood, sports groups, conservationists, historians, and taxpayers and included a 75×50 multi-use field. With required oversight from the State of NJ Historic Preservation, the plan was moving forward with expected completion by late spring 2023. 

WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF THIS DRASTIC CHANGE? Ridgewood’s Historic Schedler Property is unique and unlike any other Village Parcel. This historical Revolutionary War site is a full ecosystem of wildlife and vegetation (protected, state-threatened and endangered). Additionally, located along Route 17 North (a major transportation corridor), the tree/green-filled parcel filters out light, noise, visual, airborne particulates, gaseous pollutants, and air toxins emitted by diesel trucks and cars. 

In order to accommodate a full-size regulation field, most of the existing natural and mature tree barriers will be clear-cut. The approved plan was developed after an extensive process and included a 75×50 multi-use field while still protecting the ecosystem in this historic district. 

Please join us in moving the previously approved plan forward — no more delays, no more changes, and no more damage to this historic district! 

Help by forwarding this letter and petition to family, friends, and neighbors. 

Sign: Please sign the petition and clearly print your full name and address. One petition per family member is allowed. 

HOW TO DELIVER YOUR SIGNED PETITION ASAP. 

MAIL: Deliver to: 530 W. Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 

PICKUP: Don’t want to leave the house, text your address to 201-377-8556 and we will come to you. 

EMAIL: Fill and sign PDF using an e-signature or send a picture of your signed petition from your cell phone. Return the completed petition to schedlerfriends@gmail.com 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

EMAIL schedlerfriends@gmail.com 

CALL or TEXT 201-377-8556 

IMPORTANT UPDATES 

Sign up sending an EMAIL to schedlerfriends@gmail.com

 

PETITION TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD 

REGARDING SCHEDLER PARK PLAN 

We, the undersigned residents of Ridgewood, petition the Village Council not to reopen the  Schedler Park plan (approved by Resolution 18-236) without: 

(i) a full assessment of the impact that would result from any changes to the plan; and  (ii) a fact-based analysis of the comprehensive impact on the Village and the State of  New Jersey made by the development of the Schedler property. 

Any changes without a full assessment will ignore the following concerns. 

• Due Process to which Residents of Ridgewood are Entitled. Changes to the approved plan require  a comprehensive review process, transparent to all Village residents and consistent with other  Village decisions (like the current Gold Star Memorial project), utilizing applicable subject-matter  experts and independent studies. 
• Health Implications to Children and Residents. Changes to the plan (including the introduction of a  turf field and changes to the existing natural and mature tree barrier) do not consider the known  health impact on children. Toxic pollutants from traffic, as well as noise pollution, will further harm  park visitors and residents.  
• Traffic patterns that will impact safety. Expansion of the field size will introduce increased traffic  and buses. The prior traffic study was conducted in 2015 without considering buses. As Schedler is  immediately adjacent to an exit from Route 17N, new studies must be conducted taking into  consideration the safety of park visitors and residents with the change in traffic patterns and the  introduction of buses. 
• Wildlife and environmental preservation. Schedler (unlike many current fields) is the foraging  grounds for NJ endangered species (Bald Eagles) and threatened species (Black-Crowned Night Herons) and houses protected vegetation. A full assessment of the environmental impact is  imperative.  
• Accurate Assessment of Flooding Impact. A change in the approved plan expanding the field size  should only be made as a result of new, public, flood studies and an assessment of an effective  strategy (based on a full Village property assessment, taking into consideration County and State  remediation discussions) to address flooding concerns. 
• Preservation of Historic District. A 2019 independent archeological assessment commissioned by  the Village found that the Historic Schedler property likely houses Revolutionary War artifacts and  recommended that an archaeological survey of the property be completed if significant ground  disturbance is planned. 
• Accurate Assessment of Field Demand. A detailed explanation of the need for a full-size field  (outlining numbers of teams/players, by age and current field use) versus the previously agreed 75  x 50 yard field is required before any changes should be considered.  
• Clear and transparent budget for new plans. Before changes to the plan can be approved, the  Council must present an itemized budget including design and maintenance fees. Private funding  should never override public input and public safety. 

These issues and others must be reviewed, and a detailed, fact-based plan should be presented to the  residents of Ridgewood (in a public forum for discussion and debate) for the general welfare of the Village. 

Name Address Signature _________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

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