Ridgewood public sharply divided over artificial turf as council moves to finalize field-lighting donations

Public comment at the Ridgewood Village Council meeting on Jan. 15 centered on the village—s plan for athletic fields, with speakers offering sharply divided views on artificial turf and urging further testing and public outreach.

The discussion mattered because the council is simultaneously pursuing field improvements, including extending stadium lighting to the varsity girls— softball field, and considering a comprehensive plan for the Schedler property that includes expanded recreation uses.

Several residents urged the council to halt turf approvals until more testing and public engagement are completed. Amy McCambridge, a Ridgewood resident, accused the council of dismissing environmental risk and of failing to contact external experts: "I spoke to her. She said, nobody has reached out at all," she said, describing an upcoming meeting she plans to host with Dr. Sarah Evans. McCambridge also cited the EPA—s March 2024 classification of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances and urged testing of local rivers that flood adjacent fields.

Anne Loving, another Ridgewood resident, urged council members to change course if scientific evidence warrants it: "There is no shame in changing your mind when new information comes forward," she said, drawing historical parallels to safety standards in other fields.

Other speakers defended the council—s approach and stressed the benefits of turf for playability and durability. Roark Halliday, a village resident, said the council should "stick to your guns," arguing that local sports organizations and many families support turf for practical reasons.

Council members and staff described ongoing outreach and intergovernmental steps rather than a final decision. Council member (Evan) and others said the Schedler plan must be considered "in totality," not piecemeal, and that uses such as plantings, driveway access, and potential tenants are part of a combined proposal for the site. Village Manager Heather said the village had received pledges totaling $47,000 from local sports organizations to help extend stadium lighting to the girls— softball field—$10,000 each from the Maroon Soccer Club, the Ridgewood Lacrosse Association and RJFA (football association), and $17,000 from the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association.

Heather said the council would hold a special public meeting embedded in the Jan. 29 work session and asked staff to prepare a resolution to accept the donations and finalize plans with Musco, the lighting vendor, after the Board of Education meets on Jan. 27. "I'd like to ask Heather to put a resolution together accepting these donations," she said, and later noted hope the council could "wrap up that whole discussion on the 20 ninth with action."

On procedural points, council members clarified that vendors have not been chosen and that public bidding will occur if the council approves field work. The council also said it has attempted, or will attempt, outreach to external experts, including Dr. Sarah Evans, and discussed holding a public informational meeting at the library that would include multiple perspectives.

The debate over turf and related field projects is ongoing. No ordinance or binding decision on artificial turf was taken at the Jan. 15 meeting; the council directed staff to prepare materials and to pursue further steps, including the special Jan. 29 session to consider finalizing the lighting extension if interagency approvals align.

Residents were also reminded of other village business on the agenda, including a scheduled introduction of a tree-protection ordinance and numerous Ridgewood Water contracts on the consent agenda.

Looking ahead, the council signaled further public meetings and interagency coordination: the Board of Education was to consider related field items on Jan. 27, and the council planned follow-up at the Jan. 29 meeting.