Ridgewood schools close 2 sports fields for fall after safety failures

RIDGEWOOD — On the eve of a new school year, Ridgewood Public Schools has closed its two main high school athletic fields for the rest of the fall season after independent testing found they failed to meet safety standards for player impact absorption.

Ridgewood High School Stadium and Stevens Field will be "closed for the remainder of the fall season" following GMAX shock absorption test failures that were announced in an Aug. 27 email signed by "Ridgewood Public Schools."

Both fields passed the GMAX testing in April as part of routine field inspections, the announcement stated.

"Unfortunately, at this time both fields have failed GMAX testing, which measures a surface's shock absorption and safety for play," the announcement stated. "At this time, we expect that the fields will be closed for at least the remainder of the fall season."

Three vendors conducted GMAX tests on the fields, according to the statement. An earlier test had identified an issue with Stevens Field, but "two of the three vendor tests found both fields failing."

Two industry companies were hired to clean and assess field conditions. Decompaction work was performed on both fields "to address silt buildup accumulated over the spring and summer months." No other cause was mentioned.

"Despite this work, the most recent round of GMAX testing shows that both fields still do not meet safety standards for play," the announcement stated. "As a result, Stadium Field and Stevens Field will remain closed until further notice."

Meanwhile, Athletic Director Keith Cook is "actively working to schedule practices and games at alternate locations."

Coaches and teams will receive updated schedule and location information "as it becomes available." A special Superintendent Coffee will be announced shortly "to provide updates and allow members of the community to engage with us on this topic." 

Football and soccer games are played on the fields in fall.

"We recognize how disruptive this is for teams, families, and coaches relying on these fields, especially with the fall season underway, and we appreciate the community's continued patience and flexibility as we work through this process," the statement concludes.

Flooding from the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, which flows through the fields, previously closed the fields in September 2023, February 2024 and July 2025, when the fields sustained an estimated $50,380 in damage from a rainstorm.

The school district had purchased tarps to cover the fields and reduce damage. However, school officials reported the tarps were so efficient that they had resulted in increased flooding to surrounding residential properties, and it was unclear if they were in use this summer.

Not just water, but material in the water contributes to field damage, according to School Superintendent Mark Schwarz. Not only the fields, but walkways, plantings and footbridge ramps near Stevens Field have sustained damage in the past.

School officials could not be immediately reached to provide further information on the cause of the current damage on Thursday night, Aug. 27.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood schools close 2 sports fields for fall after safety failures