Take action to protect the historic Schedler property from artificial turf and toxic contamination!

Beginning this past spring, the NJ State Historic Preservation office has been determining whether or not an artificial turf field will be built at the historic Schedler property in Ridgewood, NJ.

Ridgewood’s proposed artificial turf development at the historic Schedler property would have serious negative environmental and public health impacts and is also completely inappropriate due to its historical significance given its Revolutionary War history.

Due to these multiple concerns, a second-phase $53,778 survey of the property was ordered and the NJDEP issued soil sampling and analysis after contamination was found from previous construction. Since then, water contamination was found at two sites, Bergen Community and Ridgewood Water. The agency is continuing to test more of the historic seven-acre property and will work with Matrix New World Engineering (Ridgewood's LSRP) on a remediation plan. The next steps in the testing process are disclosed in this August document.

A town engineer admitted in December 2023 that he oversaw the soil project at Schedler. Ridgewood is refusing to be transparent, investigate how this happened, or disclose who is responsible despite the NJDEP holding the information. We need to hold the local elected officials in Ridgewood accountable to protect our right to clean soil, clean water, and a safe environment.

Join us in sending a message demanding that the Ridgewood Mayor, the New Jersey Attorney General, and the NJDEP do their due diligence to find the source of legacy contamination and stop this proposed harmful development!

The evaluation of the proposed artificial turf development at the Schedler property must include the soil sample and water quality results obtained by the NJDEP to determine whether or not the site is safe, and the public needs to be informed.

Ridgewood residents deserve full transparency and demand that the polluter is held accountable for their actions, which will severely impact the environmental and public health of the local community and wildlife that use this property for habitat and recreation.

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Protect the historic Schedler Ridgewood property from toxic turf, water and soil contamination!

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Protect the historic Schedler Ridgewood property from toxic turf development and legacy water and soil contamination! Ridgewood’s proposed artificial turf development at the historic Schedler property would have serious environmental and public health impacts. Synthetic turf is an impervious surface that often requires the removal of trees, and can lead to landslides and flooding. It is composed of toxic materials including forever chemicals (PFAS) that build up in the environment and harm our health. These playing fields put children in direct contact with a PFAS-containing material, directly putting children in harm's way. The development of this property is also completely inappropriate due to its historical significance. The proposed property for the Ridgewood turf field is listed on the National and NJ Registers of Historic Places given its Revolutionary War history. According to a December archaeological report, the site yielded invaluable historic and Native American artifacts. Additionally, the NJDEP has issued soil sampling and analysis after contamination was found from previous construction at the site. Since then, water contamination was found at two sites, Bergen Community and Ridgewood Water. This is unacceptable, and we urge you to do your due diligence to find and stop the source of legacy contamination and stop this harmful proposed development. Ridgewood residents deserve full transparency and demand that the polluter is held accountable for their actions which will severely impact the environmental and public health of the local community and wildlife that use this property for habitat and recreation.. We urge you to act now to protect the Schedler property and stop the development and legacy contamination!

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