the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The future of Ridgewood’s historic Schedler Property is once again at a crossroads, and Thursday, August 21, 2025, may be the community’s last chance to make their voices heard.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a virtual public hearing at 10:00 AM to determine whether Ridgewood can move forward with plans to build athletic turf fields on the 200-year-old Zabriskie-Schedler House property on West Saddle River Road.
For years, Ridgewood residents, preservationists, and town officials have clashed over how to use the land — balancing the demand for recreational space with the need to preserve an irreplaceable piece of the village’s history.
Why the Schedler Property Matters
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The site includes the Zabriskie-Schedler House, built in 1825 by the farming Zabriskie family.
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Ridgewood purchased the property in 2009 after decades of preservation efforts.
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The home and land are listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
But plans to add a large turf field, parking, and amenities have faced pushback from the NJ Historic Preservation Office, which recently ruled that the proposal represents an “encroachment” incompatible with the historic site.
What’s at Stake at Thursday’s Hearing
During the Historic Sites Council meeting, Ridgewood officials will present their case for development. Members of the public will also be able to voice their concerns or support before the council makes its recommendation to the DEP Commissioner.
Hearing Details
📅 Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
💻 Where: Virtual-only via Microsoft Teams
🔗 Meeting Info & Agenda: NJDEP Agenda Link
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Meeting ID: 226 212 827 686
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Passcode: HG9wrVW
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Dial-in: +1 856-338-7074 | Teleconference ID: 547 213 16#
Years of Debate
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Contamination concerns slowed progress in 2024 when lead was found on the property.
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Preservationists argue the scale of the project threatens Ridgewood’s historic character.
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Village officials, meanwhile, maintain that the project is necessary to expand athletic space and are confident in a “positive resolution.”
Community Voices Still Matter
This hearing could determine the fate of the Schedler property. Ridgewood residents who want to preserve history — or advocate for new recreational fields — are being urged to participate.
As one preservation advocate noted earlier this year: “This isn’t just about turf. It’s about protecting our community’s history for generations to come.”
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Bend over cuz here it comes.
The entire controversy stems from a house that has no use, that was renovated with supposed free money. How’s that working out?
Free money, whatcha talkin’ about, Willis ?
exactly right – house is a money pit with no use.
Village hall is a money pit as well
We are concerned about the contamination. That’s the most important thing here, then comes the field.
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Would be interesting to add up all the money spent on that site, less any grants, to see what the damage is so far. It is a shame that the property didn’t just go up for sale, leaving a developer to put an apartment, strip mall, or whatever in that space. Would have saved the taxpayers a lot of money and would have saved all of this years long conflict. Does anyone recall why the decision was made to purchase the property? I understand the need to preserve history but was the idea to have a preserved house with a field or park next to it?
Stop destroying our environment
We don’t want a turf field
Add up all the hours of Village workers.
I smell another parking garage
Shot down.
Just a few comments here for those of you who are just tuning in. First of all, this doesn’t just apply to people who live in the neighborhood next to this proposed a plan. This applies to everyone in the village. When people say they have no idea what’s going on, but their taxes are high, they should be trying to figure out what’s actually going on in their own community. That being said, Ridgewood doesnt need a field, they want a field. This is a fact. The sports organizations ooh, lobby for this have inflated numbers with thousands of more children than actually live in the village of bridgewood. How can that be?How many children come from other towns?But they need another field in ridgewood? Mayor Vagianos, a self proclaimed environmental attorney said that grass was a no briner but once elected flipped faster than an Ihop pancake. This also applies to the other 3 council persons Weitz and Mortimer (also both pro assisted living facility on North Maple too) and Winograd (pro turf but hasn’t disclosed her vote on assistedi living facility yet). Even the people that actually voted for these people are disgusted. What is next? We are not protected from people who are not voting eith the best interests of residents in mind but using us as a bargaining chip to enhance the special interest promises they have made, over and over.
Where is the list of the past and passed on present that worked at those contaminated locations. Does the mayor and council know who are the employees.