the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The fate of Ridgewood’s long-debated plan to build an artificial turf sports field at the historic Zabriskie-Schedler property may be decided this week, as the state’s Historic Sites Council prepares to issue a preliminary ruling on Thursday.
At stake is whether the village will be permitted to install a multi-purpose turf field just north of the Zabriskie-Schedler House, a landmarked 19th-century Dutch wood-frame home at 460 West Saddle River Road, near Route 17.
State Declares Field an “Encroachment”
In a May 29 letter, Katherine Marcopul, administrator of the DEP’s Historic Preservation Office, declared the proposed field an “encroachment” on the historic site. She cited concerns that the size, scale, and use of synthetic turf were “incompatible” with the property’s agricultural heritage.
The DEP outlined seven recommendations for Ridgewood, including a remediation plan to remove 11,020 cubic yards of contaminated soil that was dumped at the property in 2018–2019. That soil was used to create a large berm along Route 17 and fill low-lying areas but has since been deemed hazardous.
A Long and Costly Debate
The Schedler property has been mired in controversy since Ridgewood purchased it in 2009 for $2.7 million, offset by a $1.57 million open space grant requiring recreational use.
In 2015, Ridgewood’s council approved a large multipurpose field with a baseball overlay.
In 2017, a new council scrapped that plan, recommending instead a youth-sized grass field that preserved trees.
In 2019, the house was landmarked, with the surrounding property receiving historic designation shortly after.
In April 2023, the council reignited controversy by approving the current plan — a synthetic turf multipurpose field with overlapping baseball diamond.
Opponents argue turf is environmentally harmful, worsens flooding, and threatens the site’s historic integrity. Supporters insist Ridgewood desperately needs durable playing fields for its growing sports programs.
Contaminated Soil and Mounting Costs
The DEP in 2024 charged Ridgewood with importing contaminated soil to the site. The village included $1.5 million in its 2025 capital budget for cleanup. So far, the Schedler project has cost taxpayers and grant sources $7.5 million, with $5.3 million already spent on land, the historic house, partial field work, and park improvements.
The Zabriskie-Schedler House has been restored and was opened to the public in June 2024. Plans call for it to become the Bergen County History and Cultural Center in partnership with the Ridgewood Historical Society and the Ridgewood Library’s Bolger Heritage Center.
What Happens Next
Thursday’s council hearing is a continuation of testimony that began in July. The recommendation will be forwarded to the DEP Commissioner, who must issue a final ruling by August 27. If no ruling is made, Ridgewood’s application for the turf field will be automatically approved.
Residents and stakeholders can watch the August 21 hearing remotely through a link posted on the Village of Ridgewood’s official website.
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It’s very strange when inaction leads to approval.
That way the DEP Commissioner can’t be blamed.
They’re trying to pull something sneaky, with speaking with the d e p , as of yesterday . they requested a list of employees that worked at contaminated locations throughout the village. They would like them to be sent for testing. Obviously this is gonna be an ongoing issue, because no one knows what’s gonna happen down the road. So this document will be kept open regarding health issues because there’s no timeframe. Allegedly the village failed to reach out to a handful of employees passed and present that worked at these locations. There was no letters sent out to these individuals, no phone calls, no meetings, nothing. Unless they had some sneaky, quiet, backdoor meeting somewhere. Which probably may have happened.
What about the employees that worked on those locations. What about their health and well-being. No one from the village has addressed this issue. They’re all hiding, they’re all playing they don’t know. They know. This mayor and council, and top officials need to address this immediately. They’re facing major lawsuits. Who is going to pay for that, the insurance company doubt it, they going to have to have a special budget just for this. This is a major health issue. And this mayor council are not doing their jobs. Where is the eternal affairs of New Jersey?
This town is rich and stupid, especially the leaders of this town like dumb and reckless