Neighbors press Ridgewood council over Schedler park turf plan, PFAS and tree removals

Residents of the Schedler neighborhood and other commentators used the village’s public-comment period on April 9 to press elected officials over plans for the Schedler property, artificial turf and soil contamination. Speakers urged the council to reconsider plans for turf fields, raised concerns about PFAS and microplastics, and criticized tree removals and community outreach; village leaders and the manager responded with clarifications about remediation, PFAS treatment easements and planned tree plantings.

Why it matters: The Schedler property has been the subject of long-running debate in Ridgewood. The council is preparing capital funding and remediation work for the site, and several residents say potential artificial turf would add PFAS and microplastic risks near private wells. Officials say the village must remediate contaminated soils and that the property’s reuse as a park is intended to bring more public access and preserve the rehabilitated Schedler house.

Resident concerns and examples

Cynthia O’Keefe, a Ridgewood resident who spoke during public comment, criticized the council and staff for issuing proclamations while pursuing the Schedler plan. “It’s very hypocritical to me,” she said, tying the village proclamations about clean water and trees to the Schedler…