Ridgewood, N.J. – After weeks of disruption caused by flood damage, the football field at Ridgewood High School is now back in service. Water had saturated the artificial turf, ruining its cushioning and forcing the school to relocate games, practices and other athletic activities to alternate venues.
Repairs completed and schedule restored
School officials confirmed that the repair work, which involved removing the damaged surface, installing new padding and re‑laying fresh turf, was finished earlier this week. The first home game on the restored field is slated for next Saturday, giving students, families and fans a chance to celebrate the return of football to its proper setting.
Impact on the community
The field is a central gathering place for Ridgewood families, serving not only the high school’s varsity and junior varsity teams but also youth leagues and community events. Its temporary loss had forced many local families to travel farther for practices and games, adding inconvenience and cost. With the field back in shape, the school district expects a boost in attendance and community spirit as the season resumes on familiar ground.
Ongoing work on nearby facilities
While the main football field is ready, a neighboring practice field continues to undergo repairs. District engineers say the additional work is progressing on schedule and will be completed before the end of the month, ensuring that all athletic programs have adequate space for training and competition.
Looking ahead
District officials emphasized the importance of maintaining safe, high‑quality athletic facilities for students’ physical development and for fostering teamwork and school pride. They also noted that the swift response to the flood damage reflects the district’s commitment to keeping Ridgewood’s public schools resilient in the face of unexpected weather events.
Parents and alumni are encouraged to attend the upcoming home opener and show support for the teams as they return to the field that many consider a cornerstone of the town’s high‑school experience.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
