>Members of the Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club Bandstand Committee, led by Deputy Mayor Betty G. Wiest, have proposed construction of a bandstand in Van Neste Memorial Park.
The bandstand, intended primarily as a beautification project, would be constructed at absolutely no expense to Village taxpayers.
But, opponents of the project claim: 1) it will become a hangout for teenagers; 2) has no business being located in a park dedicated to war veterans; 3) might interfere with placement of a permanent Village Christmas tree; 4) planned concerts will draw crowds, which will in turn cause parking problems; 5) no nearby public restrooms may create issues for large crowds.
What’s your position? Should Village Council members okay the construction of a bandstand at Van Neste Memorial Park?
>I think it’s a bad idea. And correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t there signs posted in Van Neste that the park closes at dark? Won’t it be hard to use a bandstand during daylight hours only?
>I like the idea. It would be a nice addition to the park. I grew up in New England where almost every town has at least one such bandstand. Ridgewood’s downtown could use a little more charm. I’m not sure why people think there is a conflict between a bandstand and a memorial park for veterans. Most of the objections I’ve heard sound silly.
>Mark my words. Any bandstand that is placed at the park will be defaced and damaged by the kids who will use it to hang out in. Just walk around on a weekend night in the summer and you will literally see hundreds of kids just hanging out. The police can’t have someone sit there to make sure that this isn’t damaged so in short time it will be. Then the town will be forced to repair with tax dollars this “free” addition to the park.
>We have the Kasshau Shell, it needs a little facelift, why not spend the AMRotary money that way? The park is not that big, and the drawings shown are out of proportion. From the drawings shown at the public meeting months ago, it looked like the park was much larger than it is. Where will the parking be? And, I don’t think the neighbors, yes there are neighbors, want more noise and traffic. We don’t NEED it!
Is this the first move to removing the Shell, and enlarging Vets field for playing sports?
>Some of us think that removing — or moving — the shell and making more efficient use of Vets for sports fields would be a great thing!
>Some of us think that removing — or moving — the shell and making more efficient use of Vets for sports fields would be a great thing!
Why don’t we just level Village Hall and the Library too while we’re at it! What a bunch of self centered morons you sports folks are! There’s more to life than efficient field use.
>It seems like some people are more concerned about constructing a monument to themselves vs. betterment of the Village.
Put the money into the Bandshell and drop the Band Stand idea, if your intentions are really for the preservation of the arts etc…
>Please note this is NOT a project of the RIdgewood A.M. Rotary Club. Mrs. Wiest’s membership in that club has been mis-interpreted as this being a club project. It is not; indeed, several members are against the band stand.
>to reply to 2:13PM post: when Ms. Weist first mentioned the project, it was in honor of the Anniv of the AMRotary. Not sure if it was 100th US or 50th Rwd. Check the minutes of the council meeting. Jeff Wells is on the board, by the way, who is the architect designate.