Paul Vaggianos was the first to get up at the mic at a town council meeting a year or two ago and ask that Van Neste be changed to accommodate lighting at night and entertainment every weekend.
Vaggianos said, “Let’s bring everyone together at Van Nest on the weekends.”
I obviously remember that. I was very saddened by his suggestion. Paul Aronsohn as mayor at the time was very receptive. I spoke against the idea at council meetings. I tried. I love Van Neste as a quiet park as it is now, an oasis of calm and beauty midst the busy downtown. Very charming invention!! Let’s keep it that way. Paul Vaggianos was happy with the big garage at Hudson. I wasn’t and wrote and spoke against it from day one. Vaggianos is a business owner in town and has influence , I have no influence. I think it would be wonderful to preserve Ridgewood a for future generations to experience, no expansion, not more congested. A town with easy accessibility to the Big Apple but with a small town charming quality. And yes, Van Neste is a big part of that as it is right in the center of the CBD. It says something by virtue of letting people experience of oasis of natural beauty and quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy but small and charming downtown. ( I love that oasis ……sentence I made up)
As I posted in response to an earlier article above, leave Van Neste alone! The bricks were given by town residents to memorialize someone or just to help with the rebuilding of the square. No-one has the right to change the park at will, just because they want “Progress” with nasty concrete instead of the time worn bricks. Our grandchildren love to look for “our brick”–leave them alone!
Unfortunately preserving “our brick” is the majority attitude in Ridgewood, and the Village is in secular decline for exactly this reason
explain how the “bricks” in Van Neste square are leading to “secular decline” ?
” secular decline” my ass 12:41.
12:41- So you’re moving when ?
We are at an important Crossroads.Lets not tear down our past parks etc in the name of some bold new future.fix the potholes ..imagine how those visitors see and feel our quality as the bolts are stripped off their cars..
The main roads and overpass seams ie Graydon river overpass on Linwood continuing north road is a shambles and at main intersections.try bonding and fixing what we have including sinking middle road sewer surrounds pounded into pothole collars.roads speak 24 /7 to visitors and those thinking of bailing out of town.