HACKENSACK—All eight Pascack Valley towns and six of 13 Northern Valley towns will share nearly $2 million in Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund 2025 allocations, according to a public notice published by the county’s Trust Fund Advisory Committee.
The Borough of Park Ridge and the City of Englewood scored the largest grants: Park Ridge will receive $232,000 to acquire the Frederick Wortendyke Homestead—the oldest home in Pascack Valley—and Englewood will receive $165,000 for an acquisition at 173 West Forest Ave.
In total, Pascack Valley towns secured $861,006 in grants, while six Northern Valley municipalities received $1,079,376. Seven Northern Valley towns did not receive funding; it was not immediately clear whether they applied.
The advisory committee’s recommendations will be considered at a public hearing Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room, 5th Floor, County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack. Projects are slated to begin this Nov. 12 and conclude by Nov. 12, 2027, officials said.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to Kenneth Aloisio, Trust Fund Executive Director, Division of Land Management, Bergen County Administration Building, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ 07601, or by email to kaloisio@co.bergen.nj.us (preferred).
Pascack Valley projects
Park Ridge’s $232,000 grant will support acquisition of the Frederick Wortendyke Homestead at 12 Pascack Road. [For the story, see “Historic home in borough’s reach” by Michael Olohan in the Jan. 26, 2025 Pascack Press.]
The house was built around 1750–1755 by Frederick Wortendyke Jr. on part of a 465-acre tract purchased by his father, Frederick Sr., in 1735. Mayor Misciagna noted the borough aims to preserve the homestead ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026: “This purchase and preservation will allow the next generation, and future generations, to learn and celebrate our past.”
Across the street, the county’s Division of Historic & Cultural Affairs was awarded $50,000 for improvements at the Wortendyke Barn, which operates as an agricultural museum and event site.
In Montvale, the borough received a $75,000 Historic Project Preservation grant to create a Historic Preservation Plan and Design for the J.J. Blauvelt Octagon House, acquired in 2021. The mid-19th-century structure, prominently featured on Montvale’s seal, has served over the years as a residence, hotel, restaurant, and office space.
In River Vale, the county’s Division of Historic & Cultural Affairs will receive $100,000 for archaeology monitoring at the Baylor Massacre site.
Seven Pascack Valley towns received park improvement grants:
- Emerson, Ackerman Park: Six playground units and shade structures, $75,500
- Hillsdale, Beechwood Park: Pavilion near bandshell, $74,986
- Montvale, Memorial, Railroad, and Fountain Parks: Benches and ADA sidewalk path improvements, $80,704
- River Vale, Town Hall: Reconstruction of tennis courts, $80,704
- Township of Washington, Memorial and Clark Field: ADA seating, parking, and playground, $80,704
- Westwood, McKinley Park: ADA-compliant playground, $80,704
- Woodcliff Lake, Tennis Courts: Reconstruction, fencing, lighting, nets, and landscaping, $80,704