FEMA aid said likely for Memorial/Davies Field

Davies Field/Memorial Field, Park Ridge, in a 2018 Google Maps street view.

PARK RIDGE—A proposal to bond nearly $600,000 to replace the flood-destroyed artificial turf at Memorial Field/Davies Field likely will be reimbursed by Federal Emergency Management Agency funds the borough expects to receive soon.

A public hearing will be held Oct. 26 at 8:15 p.m. on a $590,000 bond issue to replace the synthetic turf field, which suffered irreparable damage due to Pascack Brook flooding resulting from remnants of Hurricane Ida.

The bond measure was introduced Oct. 12.

Borough Administrator Julie Falkenstern said the borough anticipates 75% to 100% of the bonds to be reimbursed by FEMA funding due to the state’s emergency declaration and federal funds for counties declared disaster areas.

She said the bonding was needed to authorize the funds now to repair the field, behind the Fire Department, in time for spring sports.

She said Memorial Field had only been turfed within the last couple of years. She noted a park playground also suffered damage but had since been repaired. Those repair costs were also submitted for FEMA funding, she said.

As has Mayor Keith Misciagna in his emails to residents, Falkenstern urged voters to remember to vote for the renewal of the municipal Open Space Trust Fund, a public question on the local ballot Nov. 2.

The fund enables Park Ridge to provide matching grant funds to obtain county and state Open Space grants.

Did you receive aid following Ida? Share your story at
pascackpress@thepressgroup.net.