the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood, NJ – The Village of Ridgewood has officially received final approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the future of the Zabriskie-Schedler property, marking the end of years of planning and debate. The decision paves the way for a unique blend of historic preservation and modern recreation that will benefit residents for generations.
Since purchasing the property in 2009 to prevent commercial development, the Village’s long-standing goal has been to create a community park while protecting the historic integrity of the John A. L. Zabriskie House. With both state and national historic designations in place, officials sought a balanced solution that honors the site’s history while meeting Ridgewood’s recreational needs.
A Dual Vision: History & Recreation in One Space
Under the approved plan, the Zabriskie House will become the home of the History & Cultural Center of Bergen County, opening in time for the nation’s 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026. The Village will partner with the Bolger Heritage Center at the Ridgewood Public Library and the Ridgewood Historical Society to create a hub for education, culture, and community events.
At the same time, the surrounding property will be transformed into a multi-functional public park featuring:
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A multi-sport artificial turf athletic field
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Parking, fencing, safety netting, and lighting
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An ADA-accessible playground
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Restrooms relocated away from nearby residences
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Walking paths and expanded natural buffers to protect the historic house
The revised site plan moves the athletic field 171 feet away from the historic home (compared to 63 feet in the original plan) and increases the vegetative barrier, addressing community concerns about preserving the property’s historic setting.
Mayor and Council Emphasize A Win for Ridgewood Residents
Mayor and Council members emphasized that the approved plan represents the best of both worlds: a space where residents can enjoy sports, recreation, and family-friendly amenities, while also connecting with Ridgewood’s rich history.
“The creation of both the History & Cultural Center and the community park ensures that Ridgewood residents gain much-needed recreational facilities without losing the cultural legacy of the Zabriskie House,” the Village said in a statement.
What’s Next
With NJDEP approval secured, Ridgewood can now move forward with construction and restoration efforts. The Village expects the site to become a centerpiece of community life, combining athletics, family recreation, and local history.
📄 Read the full NJDEP approval letter here.
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And when will they remove the contaminated berm?
Let’s remember this mayor and council never planned to test the soil for contamination so they have already demonstrated how much they care about the health and welfare of our children and residents. This group of individuals are as sleazy as they come with a village manager who is a master manipulator of this immoral bunch of souless twits willing to do whatever it takes to get an artificial turf on a highway.
A huge waste as parents will bitch and moan on how far they have to travel for their kids to play a Home baseball/softball/soccer game.
The Village expects the site to become a centerpiece of community life, combining athletics, family recreation, and local history
Bullshirt….no one living on the west side of R17 goes over there unless they are shopping or grabbing dinner in Westwood.
“The Village expects the site to become a centerpiece of community life, combining athletics, family recreation, and local history ”
They say many of the same things for every taxpayer sponsored convention center, sports stadium., park and etc.
How do those work out?
Can’t wait to see kiddies playing on hot plastic on the highway, what a great idea and so very healthy.
But what happened to the 60×90 field that they needed so much…?
Cue the lawsuits.
Has the council paid their personal debt to their financial supporters or can we look forward to lots more destruction of our town? Oh, right–the monstrosity on Maple at Franklin. And who knows what else.
Will anyone with a brain and heart please consider running for council in the next election? These people MUST GO.
The Mayor owes favors to the sports organizations and HB at Habernickel. Why do you think they were the only park to get a giant pavilion and why Vagianos focused on the delivery of Schedler park to the sports people who voted for him. Promises were made and this lying sack of sh*t mayor would sell his soul to get what he wants.
Good luck, can you add another couple years?
It is really hard to feel good about something so divisive and politically motivated not for the kids of Ridgewood but because the sports teams flexed their muscles and Vagianos’ ego is huge. The council will now had a chance to show the public who they are. Kensington is next to batter up
This is a huge mistake. The politicians are acting on behalf of their donors. Who will lead the unfortunate solemn cortege when an 18-wheeler leaves the highway and runs through a football game? The politicians? No. Our clergy will, unfortunately. What a sad group of ‘leaders’.
you realize there a field just north of this, adjacent to Route 17 on the southbound side, right? I must have missed all the carnage at that field.
“carnage’….pun intended ?
No one is ever on that HoHoKus field just like the rest of the ones in Ridgewood. It also has a nice tree buffer, much safer than schedler.
ah an expert on field availability in the village – thank goodness your here!
That field is grass
It is not as exposed as Schedler, and you know it. Did you contribute to the Council and Mayor’s campaign committees? Yeah, thought so.
Ridgewood’s white whale coming together so seamlessly? Problem is Keith, the truth always has a way of coming out, so someone may be blowing the whistle on the former whistle blower one day soon.
What’s the size of the new field? How far is it from Rt 17?
Section 8 projects should have been built here.
You are a moron. It wasn’t zoned for that but thanks for zero input as usual.