Mayor: Keep Memorial Field free of litter, bicycle tire damage

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

PARK RIDGE—Mayor Keith Misciagna wrote to residents — “my Park Ridge family” — on April 1 with March updates, including the problem of trash resurfacing now that Memorial Field is open.

He said, “It is actually disgraceful how many water bottles and candy wrappers and fast-food containers and just general trash is left on our fields and in our public spaces every day. Our DPW spends every morning cleaning up while their time and your tax dollars could be put to better use.”

Misciagna said, “Please speak to your children and remind them that there are trash receptacles everywhere! There is just no need to treat our public spaces like a dumping ground.”

He said, “The other major issue we are having on the turf field is tire tracks. This is a very expensive field that we invested in so that our kids will have a safe place for soccer and softball and lacrosse that is being damaged by bicycles.”

The mayor said, “There is absolutely no reason to be riding a bicycle on this field. Please, remind your kids that bicycles should not be on the field. If you are at the field and you notice bicycles being ridden on the field, please say something or call the police.”

Misciagna said, “The fields are monitored by cameras but no one relishes having to spend time reviewing camera footage, identifying which kids are riding bicycles on the field and sending a police officer to the house to speak to their parents. Let’s work together as a community so it doesn’t get to that.”

Upcoming events:

In addition to the annual Easter Egg hunt, scheduled for April 9 at Memorial Field, Misciagna promoted:

  • The 11th Annual Park Ridge Car Show, May 7. For details visit parkridgeboro.com.
  • East Brook PTO is holding its first golf outing on Thursday, April 28 at Blue Hill Golf Course in Pearl River, followed by dinner at the Park Ridge Elks Lodge. Funds will be used to help supplement the Covid-ravaged PTO budget. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information. You can learn more at eastbrookpto.membershiptoolkit.com.
  • Park Ridge’s 125th Anniversary Celebration is April 29. “The pandemic has postponed this a few times, we are thrilled to finally be able celebrate. The festivities will begin, at the Park Ridge Marriott, with cocktail hour from 7 to 8 p.m. and an elegant sit-down dinner, dancing and open bar until midnight. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, email lfalkenstern@parkridgeboro.com or call Liz Falkenstern at (201) 573-1800 ext. 521 to inquire about availability.
  • Summer camp planning is in full swing “and our director has some great things lined up for a fun filled summer in Park Ridge. Registration is set to open on April 15 and will be done online through community pass. We will be offering some on site extras much like last year, but the registration has been streamlined so you will notice a separate link to sign up for those days directly with TGA and Green Kids Crafts.”
  • Park Ridge Municipal Pool plans to open on May 28 and membership registration is underway. The pool commission is hard at work planning for a great summer. Visit parkridgeboro.com to register through Community Pass. Pay attention to registration due dates to avoid a $35 late fee. If electronic signup is not possible, paper pool registration forms can be picked up at the PR pool office weekends from noon to 3 p.m. beginning May 7. Should you have any questions or concerns, write pool@parkridgeboro.com.

Back the food pantry

The Tri-Boro Food Pantry continues to need donations. If you are able to donate, visit the pantry on Tuesday or Thursday 9 to 11 a.m. You can also drop off donations at Borough Hall’s lobby donation box. If you need to make special arrangements for a drop off time, call (201) 573-9083.

Covid-19

The rate of transmission and hospitalization rates have dropped to a point that the county will no longer be proactively reporting case totals on a regular basis for the first time since April 2020. The information is still available on the dashboard by visiting covid19.nj.gov/#liveupdates.

Free at-home tests (4 per residential address) are available at https://special.usps.com/testkits.

If you need a test or a vaccine the best resource is at newbridgehealth.org/health-services/covid-19.

Updated Covid-19 information can be found at COVID19.nj.gov.