Stephen Mariconda, chair of a newly formed Green Team, told commissioners he and other local residents are concerned about two issues in Saddle River Park: potential gasoline contamination at the planned site for an all‑inclusive playground and the need for updated flood mitigation of the Saddle River.
"I know it was supposed to be in that area right next to Saddle River Road, but from what I understand, there was some gasoline contamination from the old gas station that used to be located there," Mariconda said, asking whether remediation or relocation of the playground was under consideration.
A county speaker responded in the meeting that they were not aware of gas contamination at that specific location and that moving the playground could jeopardize funding already secured for the site, including Green Acres and open‑space funds. The speaker explained the playground had been relocated previously from a flood‑prone area and that funding awarded for the current location might be at risk if the site were changed.
Mariconda also asked the county to pursue flood‑mitigation action for the Saddle River, noting he had asked municipalities and the Sustainable Bergen County hub whether the Army Corps of Engineers should reassess the river and whether dredging or other measures were needed; he said the last major study he knew of dated to 1997.
The meeting record does not show a formal county directive to remediate contamination, relocate the playground, or initiate a Corps study. The transcript indicates county officials said they would investigate claims of contamination if presented with evidence and warned that relocating the playground could risk previously awarded funds.