Local advocates raise contamination and flood-mitigation concerns at Saddle River Park inclusive-playground project

Stephen Mariconda, chair of a newly formed local Green Team, told the Bergen County Board of Commissioners he and residents have “concerns about within Saddle River Park” affecting an inclusive playground project and flood mitigation.

Mariconda said the playground was planned next to Saddle River Road but that “there was some gasoline contamination from the old gas station that used to be located there,” and asked whether cleanup efforts or relocation plans were under way. He also urged county assistance with flood mitigation for the Saddle River, suggesting the Army Corps of Engineers reassess the river and consider dredging; he said the last major study he knows of was in 1997.

A county speaker responded that they had not heard of gasoline contamination at that location and that the county would assume responsibility to remediate any contamination if confirmed. The speaker added that the playground had been relocated previously from a site that flooded and that Green Acres and open-space funding were used for the current site; relocating the playground again could jeopardize that funding.

Mariconda asked whether the project was on pause; the county speaker said there had been no discussions to relocate the playground. Mariconda closed by asking for county assistance on flood mitigation and thanking the board.

Ending: Commissioners did not vote or direct staff to begin remediation or new flood studies at the meeting. Officials said remediation responsibility would fall to the county if contamination is confirmed and cautioned that moving a playground might affect established funding from Green Acres and open-space sources.