A Horse Farm of a Different Color — Ridgewood Updates Park

In tough economic times, many towns can't afford new improvement projects. But after several years of planning, grant writing and careful budget management, Ridgewood will accept bids to update the Irene Habernickel Family Park.

"This project is the result of three years of fine-tuning the design to alter the property and give village residents exactly what they need," Ridgewood Superintendent of Recreation Nancy Bigos said.

Formerly a horse farm, the village-owned property will be updated to include a baseball diamond, playground, arboretum and walking path off Hillcrest Road in Upper Ridgewood.

The two-phased project could break ground in September, Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser said. Combining efforts with his department, Parks and Recreation, and Assistant Village Manger Janet Fricke, the village hopes to transform the aged property into a vibrant community facility.

Bordered by a white paddock fence, the farm consists of two fields split by a overgrown pond, which is in danger of becoming a bog, Rutishauser said. Since the village purchased the property several years back, it has operated the one field for youth soccer and lacrosse. There are also two houses that the village rents to help pay off its initial purchase.

"Recreation envisions many activities here," he said, adding it hoped the playground could be as popular as the one near Veterans Field. "This is the first playground in that area, and we hope residents will enjoy it as much as they do down here."

The Planning Board recommended project approval at its July 6 meeting, and Village Council  consented to the update July 7.  

The village has worked toward passing ordinances allocating money to the project in recent years, in addition to receiving $462,193 in grant money. Fricke said the Bergen County Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund were given to Ridgewood with the village matching funds.

Additionally, she said, Ridgewood was awarded an additional $126,754 for Phase II at Habernickel, also to be implemented on a 50/50 split basis.

Phase I consists of repairing a dam and dredging a pond; installing a 33-spot parking lot; erecting the playground; and transforming the grounds to create a baseball field, arboretum, and walking path.

The playground and walking path will be compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act standards, Rutishauser said. Although a 90-foot diamond can't fit with a sufficient outfield, a 70-foot one will be used by younger ballplayers. Soccer and lacrosse teams will continue to use the facility, and all fields will remain grass.

The village also attempted to keep the property from negatively affecting the neighborhood, Rutishauser said. The size of the parking facility—similar to the current one but paved—was to prevent cars from clogging up the narrow Hillcrest Road. Shrubbery will buffer the adjacent properties, and no lighting for nighttime activities will be installed.

Rutishauser said there's no timetable for Phase II—which includes demolition and/or changing the purpose of two houses on the property—and said Village Council could implement it when the body feels appropriate. The houses, which the village currently rents, could be used as Parks and Recreation offices or other functions. With a $20,000 to $25,000 cost attached to removing a house, the village may wait for more favorable economic conditions.

With expiring state environmental permits and grants, Rutishauser said the village needed to act soon. The bids went out July 9, and he hopes council can award a contract in August.