Glen Rock Could Get Money for Park Fixes

At the September 25 Glen Rock Borough Council Work Session, Council members discussed a new grant opportunity aimed at addressing persistent flooding and erosion problems in Saddle River County Park. The initiative, brought forward by the Glen Rock Environmental Commission (GREC), focuses on joining forces with nearby municipalities to apply for a $300,000 Climate Resilience Grant offered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The grant is specifically designed to support local projects that enhance climate resilience, making it a strong match for Saddle River County Park’s long-standing environmental challenges. The Ridgewood Green Team, which has led much of the preliminary work on this initiative, previously commissioned a team from Columbia University to conduct a full assessment of the park. That assessment included a report outlining existing flood risks, erosion hazards, and a proposed three-year action plan to mitigate the issues.

The grant requires a collaborative application from at least three municipalities. Jill Orlich, speaking on behalf of the Glen Rock Environmental Commission, recommended that Glen Rock formally join Ridgewood and at least one other community to pursue the funding.

“There are lots of flooding concerns and water erosion concerns which are concerns both for safety and well-being in the park and possibly even property damage beyond the park,” said Orlich.

Beyond the financial support, municipalities that receive the grant will benefit from DEP consulting and oversight throughout their projects, providing additional expertise and guidance.

Council members expressed general support for moving forward with the application process. If successful, the partnership could lead to substantial improvements at Saddle River County Park while strengthening Glen Rock’s regional role in climate resilience planning.