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Graydon/Graden Pool upgrades, shade and playground grant discussed as parks staff ask for more maintenance support
Summary
Officials discussed replacing temporary fencing at Graden Pool, installing shade sails after ash‑tree losses, completing pool site repairs and advancing a playground replacement funded in part by a $68,000 Department of Community Affairs grant; the parks director said fencing improves security and accountability at the pool.
Ridgewood — Councilors and Parks and Recreation staff discussed multiple capital and operating items related to Graden Pool (referred to in testimony as Graden/Graydon Pool), including a request to replace temporary plastic fencing with a more secure steel fence, a sunshade replacement program after the loss of large ash trees and a playground replacement tied to a state grant.
Parks Director Nancy Bigos told the council she wants to finish a permanent fence along the pool berm to provide a single, controllable entrance and to prevent easy egress that undermines facility security. Bigos said she will work with engineering about permit requirements because portions of the berm are in the floodway, and described a recent incident in which a child wandered off the pool property.
Recreation Supervisor Katie Fry described lifeguard staffing and said the department expanded coverage to 18 guards on the busiest days last year to keep all eight stands open; for the 2025 season the department budget averages a plan for 16 guards and staggers guard coverage across a 94‑day operational season to contain costs while preserving safety. Fry said better scheduling and restructuring of security posts allowed the department to reduce certain security costs in 2024.
Bigos also told the council the department secured a local government improvement grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for playground replacement at Haber/Nekle (Haber Neckle), with a grant amount mentioned in testimony as $68,000. Bigos said the project is time‑sensitive because the grant is for an accessibility upgrade and the funds need to be obligated; she asked the council to prioritize matching or village funding so the grant is not lost.
Council members supported the safety and accessibility priorities but asked staff to prioritize capital items if budget constraints require it. No formal vote was taken Thursday on the pool or playground capital items.
