the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — In the wake of a New York Times front-page exposé highlighting the widespread use of artificial turf across New Jersey, residents of Ridgewood may want to take a closer look at their own backyard. The Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) is currently evaluating a plan to install artificial turf fields at three local schools—without fully assessing the long-term health, environmental, and financial consequences.
According to the Ridgewood Public Schools’ March 2025 Field Feasibility Study, the proposed installations could cost taxpayers an estimated $4.28 million:
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Glen School: $1.90 million
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Ben Franklin Middle School: $1.85 million
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Ridge Elementary School: $526,000
Health, Environmental & Cost Questions Loom
Despite the scope of these multimillion-dollar projects, many in the Ridgewood community remain unaware of the full details, including parents at the impacted schools and residents in nearby neighborhoods. Concerns include:
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Potential exposure to chemicals used in artificial turf materials
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Environmental degradation from synthetic surfaces
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Uncertain maintenance and replacement costs over time
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Lack of robust public discussion or transparency
The NYT article on artificial turf in New Jersey has reignited scrutiny over such projects, noting risks tied to heat retention, toxic chemicals, and microplastic runoff that could affect local ecosystems and children’s health.
Limited Public Disclosure?
Critics point out that the Ridgewood BOE’s March 2025 Feasibility Study may not have been broadly shared with the public. Some report it was only presented during a Fields Committee Meeting held at 8 a.m., a time that could limit parent and resident participation.
The full Field Feasibility Study can be reviewed here:
👉 March 2025 Feasibility Study PDF
Share With Ridgewood Families
If you know parents or residents near Glen School, Ben Franklin Middle School, or Ridge Elementary, now’s the time to share this information. Ridgewood families deserve a voice in the future of their schools—and the opportunity to fully understand what’s being proposed.
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Peewee will do it…not even a question.
Wow…Hawes is not on the list.
The Glen school field is in terrible shape.
This feasibility report only studied Glen, Ridge and BF. Next report will include a district wide schools. Hawes and others buckle up, your on the list for the next go around.
Hawes just had natural SOD put down.
The maintenance of the Glen School field is embarrassing.
Maybe that’s why they want turf.
I would not be surprised if the Village Council soon introduces an ordinance prohibiting the use of grass athletic fields anywhere in the Village as a method of water conservation.
Stage 5 water restrictions year round!!
Does the village still have a Green Team?
The Ridgewood Green Team functions as a tool for the Village Council’s greenwashing efforts. Their main public initiative is an annual park festival, which ironically includes the distribution of plastic trinkets and other items that contradict their supposed environmental mission.
They do and they are very busy not fighting turf.
The Sports Parents lobby. They need to be reeled in, for their own good.
Finston. tool extraudinaire.
No, no, and no. Flooding isn’t far-reaching and frequent enough for these people? There are houses around all the schools. Also it isn’t nice to give your kids cancer.
And we still don’t have adequate facilities for the performing arts here in RW…. but those parents aren’t as loud and powerful as the sporty parents 🙁
But lots of bad actors in town!
Maybe Plumley can sing about the misguided visions of the sports parents and leagues demanding turf.
History repeating itself. Artificial turf is the new asbestos.
Those fake fields contain mold, diseases and hazardous contaminants.
This is all reminiscent of governments at tne federal and state level that do not listen to or care about their constituencies. Tone deaf. Have our leaders even responded to the nyt article? I am on the fence about the turf myself, but either way, our Ridgewood government is not listening.
More flooding tomorrow (Thursday). Very exciting!
There’s nothing wrong with the grass in that photo. Just weed the infield.