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Ridgewood Approves Donation for Community Fruit & Nut Orchard at Habernickel Park

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  in an exciting move to promote sustainability and community engagement, the Ridgewood Village Council has approved the donation of a community fruit and nut orchard at Habernickel Family Park. Some residents however question whether the Village really needs more fruits and nuts?  The project, proposed during the March 26 council workshop, is fully funded by HealthBarn USA, a local organization dedicated to health and nutrition education.

A Growing Vision for Ridgewood

The orchard, located next to the existing organic vegetable garden, will consist of ten trees, including:
🍐 Asian Pear (2)
🍒 Sour Cherry (2)
🌰 Chestnut (2)
🍑 Plum (2)
🔴 Pomegranate (2)

Each tree will be labeled to provide educational opportunities for park visitors, encouraging them to “pick, eat, and learn” while enjoying fresh, nutritious produce.

A Gift from HealthBarn USA

The $3,500 project is a donation from HealthBarn USA, founded by Stacey Antine, which is celebrating 10 years at Habernickel Park next month. The organization has a history of giving back to the community:
🌼 2024: Designed and installed a pollinator garden
🏡 2023: Donated a new awning for the Gate House facility’s back patio

According to Village Manager Keith Kazmark, HealthBarn USA’s ongoing contributions help enhance public spaces and create educational resources for the community.

Community Excitement & Orchard Puns 🍏

Residents have expressed enthusiasm for the new orchard—with some even adding a touch of humor:
🗣️ “I was just telling my kids about the health benefits of dried fruit. It’s really all about raisin awareness!”
🗣️ “What do you call it when your friends encourage you to eat more fruit? Pear pressure!”

The community orchard is set to bring fresh fruit, education, and a sense of connection to Habernickel Park—a true win for Ridgewood!

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14 thoughts on “Ridgewood Approves Donation for Community Fruit & Nut Orchard at Habernickel Park

  1. Many children have nut allergies. I smell a future lawsuit.

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    1. Sue Healthbarn. All this is is an opportunity for her to expand her garden. Wake up. Tax pays are paying the consequences of this business. The manager and mayor are in Her pockets. Where is the 4 million dollars run thru this so called foundation?

    2. Re: “Many children have nut allergies. I smell a future lawsuit.”

      YEAH.

      Parents (and children) SHOULD NOT be personally responsible.

      Everyone should just do whatever they want and then sue after their negligence and bad behavior causes them harm.

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    3. I would be careful eating anything out of that soil.

  2. “fruits and nuts” welcome to the Village

  3. are fruit trees a lot of maintenance ?

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    1. That tax payers will pay for.

  4. Here come the bears!!! And this will be another excuse to fence in this new garden with Stacy having g the only key. Smoke and mirrors people

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  5. Funny that they mention an awning. She should pay for that since her customers are the only ones using the back porch. Is Keith okay? Does he know what really happens at the gatehouse? Did he go to college?

  6. Didn’t they destroy that park enough. It has never looked so run down. That garden…ugh. Now another. Those poor neighbors

  7. Now the village will need to pay for anaphylaxis kits at Healbarn due to most kids being allergic to something.

  8. April Fool’s Day is tomorrow.

    1. One can only wish this was a joke

  9. More money being spent on shit we can’t manage

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