By Cathy Bossolina
Ridgewood sits about 20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan in Bergen County, with frequent train service that makes the city an easy trip. The village center holds a natural sandy-bottom pool, a historic train station with a recognizable clock tower, and a cluster of preserved homes surrounding the village green at Van Neste Square. Here is a closer look at what makes each one worth exploring.
Key Takeaways
- Discover Graydon Pool, Ridgewood's beloved sandy-bottom swimming spot in the heart of town.
- Learn about the Ridgewood Train Station and its Clock Tower, two of the village's most recognizable landmarks.
- Find out what Van Neste Square and the surrounding historic district preserve from Ridgewood's past.
- Explore Saddle River County Park and the village's broader network of parks, trails, and green space.
Graydon Pool
Graydon Pool is the closest thing Ridgewood has to a beach, with a sandy bottom and a setting that makes it feel like a summer getaway in the middle of the village.
What Graydon Pool Offers Today
- The natural sandy bottom and surrounding green lawns give the pool a beach-like feel that sets it apart from a standard municipal pool.
- Amenities include spray fountains, an accessible entry ramp, volleyball and basketball courts, a shaded playground, and the Water's Edge Cafe for a snack between swims.
- Summer programming includes swim lessons, a competitive swim team, kayaking and paddleboard introductions, beach yoga, and monthly live concerts.
- The picnic areas and shaded spots around the pool make it just as appealing for an afternoon outside as it is for swimming.
The Ridgewood Train Station and Clock Tower
The Ridgewood Train Station anchors the village's downtown and remains one of its most photographed landmarks. The adjacent Clock Tower, with its bell-shaped roof, decorative arches, and weathervane, gives the area a distinct visual identity.
Why the Station Matters to Ridgewood
- The station provides frequent New Jersey Transit rail service to Manhattan, making Ridgewood a practical commuter village despite its small-town feel.
- The architecture on both the station and the Clock Tower reflects the same early character found throughout much of downtown Ridgewood.
- The station sits within easy walking distance of Ridgewood's shops and restaurants, making it a natural starting point for exploring the rest of downtown on foot.
- Its continued daily use, rather than being preserved as a museum piece, is part of what makes the station feel like a living landmark instead of a relic.
Van Neste Square and the Historic District
Van Neste Square Memorial Park sits at the heart of downtown and serves as Ridgewood's main green space, anchoring a historic district where many of the village's oldest homes and buildings still stand.
What to Know About This Part of Town
- Van Neste Square functions as the village's central gathering space, hosting community events and offering a quiet spot for a stroll between errands downtown.
- The Schoolhouse Museum, housed in a former school building, gives visitors a window into the community's early development.
- The Rose House, designed by noted landscape architect James Rose, is a unique tree house-like residence and one of the village's more distinctive architectural landmarks.
- The Westervelt-Cameron House and the Vanderbeck House add further depth to the historic district, each with its own architectural character.
Saddle River County Park and Ridgewood's Green Space
Beyond Graydon Pool, Ridgewood maintains an impressive network of parks and natural areas for a village of its size, with more than a dozen public parks spread throughout the community.
What the Parks System Offers
- Saddle River County Park spans 577 acres and includes a duck pond, an off-leash dog run, and a six-mile multi-use path connecting Ridgewood to the broader Bergen County trail network.
- Veterans Field, located next to the library, includes multiple athletic fields and a bandshell that hosts free concerts throughout the summer.
- Kings Pond Park offers a quieter, more secluded setting centered on a tranquil pond that draws birdwatchers and anyone looking for a peaceful break from downtown.
- The Children's Sensory and Butterfly Garden adds a different kind of green space to the mix, with a variety of butterfly species and a dedicated play area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Graydon Pool open to the public or only to residents?
Graydon Pool operates on a day pass or season pass system available to the public, with passes purchasable by credit card, cash, or check through the village's parks department. Current pricing and hours are available through Ridgewood's official website each season.
How far is the Ridgewood Train Station from downtown shops and restaurants?
The station sits within walking distance of the village's downtown core, making it easy to combine a commute or a day trip into Manhattan with time spent exploring Ridgewood's restaurants and shops before or after the train ride.
What is the best way to explore Ridgewood's historic district?
A self-guided or organized walking tour through the streets surrounding Van Neste Square is the most direct way to see the village's preserved homes and landmarks. Many of the structures, including the Schoolhouse Museum and the Rose House, are within a short walk of one another, making it easy to cover several sites in a single outing.
Ridgewood's Character Is Part of What Makes It Worth Calling Home
The landmarks and amenities above are a small part of what gives Ridgewood its distinct sense of place, and that character shows up in how residents feel about the village long after they move in. If Ridgewood's combination of history, green space, and easy access to the city sounds like the right fit, reach out to me,
Cathy Bossolina, and let's explore
homes for sale in Ridgewood.
