Bergen County Breaks Ground On Saddle River Park Restoration

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Bergen County officials have marked the beginning of a restoration project at the Saddle River County Park that aim to restore the ecological function of the Wild Duck Pond.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen County Parks Department broke ground on the project on Friday, Aug. 20. The $1.7 million project, funded through the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund and NJDEP’s Green Acres Program, aims to "restore the ecological functions of the pond and enhance public use."

"Today, we marked the beginning of an ecological restoration that will return the Wild Duck Pond to its glory days and preserve the pond for the enjoyment of future generations," said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

Consistent with the 2019 Bergen County Parks Master Plan, this ecological restoration will highlight several environmental controls, such as the implementation of stormwater management practices through the construction of stormwater treatment wetlands, fringe wetlands within the pond, and the utilization of native plants appropriate for this freshwater wetland system, officials said.

These moves will allow the conveyance channel to accept stormwater runoff from adjacent streets and filter it as it proceeds down the channel into the pond before making its way to the Saddle River.

The project will also install a new pond liner and an at-grade pump system to provide stability in the water surface elevations.

All of these steps will have the overall effect of restoring wetlands and establishing conditions for a diversity of native flora and fauna, and will also reduce the threat of fish kills from a lack of oxygen in the pond.

"The Village of Ridgewood is grateful to County Executive Jim Tedesco for his commitment to the restoration of the Wild Duck Pond and for his dedication to ensuring all county parks remain beautiful and accessible," said Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen.

"The restoration project has been several years in the making and Jim Tedesco, along with the County Commissioners, are to be commended for their tireless work and diligence on behalf of Bergen County."

An ecological restoration proposal was initially solicited from Biohabitats, Inc. in December 2017. The Board of Commissioners awarded the construction contract to EarthWorks, Inc. in April 2021. Construction is expected to be completed in 2022.

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