Park Ridge, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Park Ridge is a borough
in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States. Park Ridge had a population of 8,645 as of the 2010 United States Census.
Park Ridge was created as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on May 15, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, at the height of the "Boroughitis
" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. Park Ridge obtained a portion of River Vale
(July 15, 1929), exchanged portions with Woodcliff Lake
(December 12, 1955), received part of Washington Township (November 26, 1956), exchanged portions with Hillsdale
(February 10, 1958) and Woodcliff Lake (June 9, 1958) and received another part of Washington Township (August 11, 1958).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.52%) is water.
Park Ridge is a part of the Pascack Valley
region of Bergen County. It is bounded by the boroughs of Montvale
, River Vale
, Woodcliff Lake
and Hillsdale
. Although no major highways run through the borough, it is serviced by the Garden State Parkway
at exits 168, 171 and 172 in Washington Township and Montvale, respectively.
of 2006, there were 8,945 people, 3,161 households, and 2,389 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,353.3 people per square mile (1,293.1/km2). There were 3,258 housing units at an average density of 1,254.6 per square mile (483.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.48% White, 0.86% African American, 0.14% Native American, 3.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.32% of the population.
There were 3,161 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $66,632, and the median income for a family was $97,294. Males had a median income of $71,042 versus $40,714 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $40,351. About 1.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the mayor of the Borough of Park Ridge is Donald J. Ruschman (D
, term ends December 31, 2011). Members of the Park Ridge Borough Council are Council President Terry Maguire, Steve Hopper, John Kane, Ann Kilmartin, Keith Misciagna and Mike Viola.
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
, 1,439 (25.8%) were registered as Republicans
and 2,658 (47.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were three voters registered to other parties.
In the 2008 presidential election
, Democrat Barack Obama
received 42.6% of the vote here (1,927 ballots cast), behind Republican John McCain
, who received 56.4% of the vote (2,553 ballots), with 81.4% of registered voters participating. In the 2004 election
, Republican George W. Bush
received 57.4% of the vote in Park Ridge (2,697 cast), ahead of Democrat John Kerry
, who received around 41.7% (1,963 votes), with 4,702 ballots cast among the borough's 5,785 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.3%.
, a car rental company, is headquartered in Park Ridge.HTZ : NYSE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE is the Boroughs largest Tax payer.
Sony Corporation of America
maintains an R&D and engineering facility in Park Ridge.
serve students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
East Brook Elementary School (grades PreK-6; 361 students) and
West Ridge Elementary School (K-6; 368),
Park Ridge High School
(7-12; 587).
Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a K-8 Catholic school
which operates in Park Ridge under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
.
on the Pascack Valley Line
at the Park Ridge
train station. The station is located at Hawthorne and Park Avenues though is also accessible from Broadway.
This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal
with connections via the Secaucus Junction
transfer station to New Jersey Transit one-stop service to New York Penn Station
and to other NJ Transit rail service. Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal
to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH
train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center
and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
service.
The Rockland Coaches Route 11 C serves the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
.
County Route 503 passes through Park Ridge. It is well known and posted as Kinderkamack Road, which is the second oldest road in New Jersey and built on a Lenapi Trail by the Dutch and Flandarians ( Flanders). In Dutch and Flandarian it means Children's Road, in the Lenapi dialect it means meaning the place of ceremonial dance and worship. It is about eighteen miles long.
cable TV station in Park Ridge has produced and documented many shows over the past ten years. They continue to produce a weekly live show every Monday night in addition to broadcasting special events in the town such as parades, sporting events, school plays, and charity events. Rolf Wahl, a borough resident, was the man who provided most of the guidance, technical knowledge and foresight for the station.
The television studio also hosted a "series" of shows entitled Behind The Badge which provided residents with an insight into the way the police department works. It included a tour of the police station and police cruiser and also an overview of programs the department works on to improve the welfare of the community, i.e. DARE
programs and computer crimes.
, current Board member on Microsoft, former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc, and Tom Coughlin
, coach of the New York Giants
.
and Montvale
. Tri-Boro is a non-profit group which provides free emergency service to those in the community who need it at any time. The headquarters is located in Park Ridge near Mill Pond.
Park Ridge also has its own Fire Department and Police Department.
whose beaver pelts he turned into men's hats. The best years for the wampum business were between 1835 and 1866. The drilling machine can be seen at the Pascack Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free.
:
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. Park Ridge had a population of 8,645 as of the 2010 United States Census.
Park Ridge was created as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on May 15, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, at the height of the "Boroughitis
Boroughitis
Boroughitis was a political phenomenon that spread throughout the U.S. state of New Jersey in the late 19th century, which led groups of residents to unite to form boroughs from within and among the many townships that were the prevalent form of local government at the time. This phenomenon was...
" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. Park Ridge obtained a portion of River Vale
River Vale, New Jersey
River Vale is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 9,659. The community was ranked #29 on the 100 Best Places to Live 2007 survey published by CNN/Money magazine....
(July 15, 1929), exchanged portions with Woodcliff Lake
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 5,730.Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small part of it located in neighboring Hillsdale.The borough is an...
(December 12, 1955), received part of Washington Township (November 26, 1956), exchanged portions with Hillsdale
Hillsdale, New Jersey
Hillsdale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,219.The populated area today known as Hillsdale took form in the mid-to-late 19th century as land speculators, led by David P. Patterson, developed subdivisons to profit from the...
(February 10, 1958) and Woodcliff Lake (June 9, 1958) and received another part of Washington Township (August 11, 1958).
Geography
Park Ridge is located at 41.034672°N 74.040656°W (41.034672, -74.040656).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.52%) is water.
Park Ridge is a part of the Pascack Valley
Pascack Valley
The Pascack Valley is the name for a region of New Jersey, United States, contained within Bergen County. It is named for the Pascack Brook, which defines the valley...
region of Bergen County. It is bounded by the boroughs of Montvale
Montvale, New Jersey
Montvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,844.Montvale was incorporated as a borough on August 31, 1894, from portions of Orvil Township and Washington Township, at the height of the "Boroughitis" craze then...
, River Vale
River Vale, New Jersey
River Vale is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 9,659. The community was ranked #29 on the 100 Best Places to Live 2007 survey published by CNN/Money magazine....
, Woodcliff Lake
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 5,730.Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small part of it located in neighboring Hillsdale.The borough is an...
and Hillsdale
Hillsdale, New Jersey
Hillsdale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,219.The populated area today known as Hillsdale took form in the mid-to-late 19th century as land speculators, led by David P. Patterson, developed subdivisons to profit from the...
. Although no major highways run through the borough, it is serviced by the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
at exits 168, 171 and 172 in Washington Township and Montvale, respectively.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2006, there were 8,945 people, 3,161 households, and 2,389 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,353.3 people per square mile (1,293.1/km2). There were 3,258 housing units at an average density of 1,254.6 per square mile (483.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.48% White, 0.86% African American, 0.14% Native American, 3.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.32% of the population.
There were 3,161 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $66,632, and the median income for a family was $97,294. Males had a median income of $71,042 versus $40,714 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $40,351. About 1.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Park Ridge is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the mayor of the Borough of Park Ridge is Donald J. Ruschman (D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, term ends December 31, 2011). Members of the Park Ridge Borough Council are Council President Terry Maguire, Steve Hopper, John Kane, Ann Kilmartin, Keith Misciagna and Mike Viola.
Federal, state and county representation
Park Ridge is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 39th Legislative District. The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
Politics
As of Election Day, November 4, 2008, there were 5,578 registered voters. Of registered voters, 1,478 (26.5% of all registered voters) were registered as DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, 1,439 (25.8%) were registered as Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and 2,658 (47.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were three voters registered to other parties.
In the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
received 42.6% of the vote here (1,927 ballots cast), behind Republican John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, who received 56.4% of the vote (2,553 ballots), with 81.4% of registered voters participating. In the 2004 election
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
received 57.4% of the vote in Park Ridge (2,697 cast), ahead of Democrat John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, who received around 41.7% (1,963 votes), with 4,702 ballots cast among the borough's 5,785 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.3%.
Economy
The Hertz CorporationThe Hertz Corporation
Hertz Global Holdings Inc is an American car rental company with international locations in 145 countries worldwide.-Early years:The company was founded by Walter L. Jacobs in 1918, who started a car rental operation in Chicago with a dozen Model T Ford cars. In 1923, Jacobs sold it to John D...
, a car rental company, is headquartered in Park Ridge.HTZ : NYSE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE is the Boroughs largest Tax payer.
Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America , based in New York, is the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. It is the umbrella company under which all Sony companies operate in the United States....
maintains an R&D and engineering facility in Park Ridge.
Education
The Park Ridge Public SchoolsPark Ridge Public Schools
The Park Ridge Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade from Park Ridge, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
serve students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
East Brook Elementary School (grades PreK-6; 361 students) and
West Ridge Elementary School (K-6; 368),
Park Ridge High School
Park Ridge High School
Park Ridge High School is a six-year comprehensive public high school with an integrated two-year middle school located in the borough of Park Ridge in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Park Ridge Public Schools. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department...
(7-12; 587).
Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a K-8 Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
which operates in Park Ridge under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in northern New Jersey, United States. Its ecclesiastic territory includes all of the Catholic parishes and schools in the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Union, Hudson and Essex .-History:Originally established as the Diocese of...
.
Transportation
Park Ridge is served by New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
on the Pascack Valley Line
Pascack Valley Line
The Pascack Valley Line is a commuter rail line operated by the Hoboken Division of New Jersey Transit. The line runs north from Hoboken, New Jersey through Bergen County and into Rockland County, New York, terminating at Spring Valley. Service within New York is operated under contract with...
at the Park Ridge
Park Ridge (NJT station)
Park Ridge Station is a New Jersey Transit rail station on the Pascack Valley Line. The station is in Park Ridge, New Jersey and is located at Hawthorne and Park Avenues....
train station. The station is located at Hawthorne and Park Avenues though is also accessible from Broadway.
This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
with connections via the Secaucus Junction
Secaucus Junction
The Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction Station is a major commuter rail hub in Secaucus, New Jersey...
transfer station to New Jersey Transit one-stop service to New York Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
and to other NJ Transit rail service. Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH
Port Authority Trans-Hudson
PATH, derived from Port Authority Trans-Hudson, is a rapid transit railroad linking Manhattan, New York City with Newark, Harrison, Hoboken and Jersey City in metropolitan northern New Jersey...
train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center
World Financial Center
The World Financial Center is a complex of buildings across West Street from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan in New York City, overlooking the Hudson River. This complex is home to offices of companies including Merrill Lynch, RBC Capital Markets, Nomura Group, the Wall Street...
and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City , and North Bergen.The system began...
service.
The Rockland Coaches Route 11 C serves the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
The George Washington Bridge Bus Station is a commuter bus terminal located at the east end of the George Washington Bridge in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan in New York City, New York....
.
County Route 503 passes through Park Ridge. It is well known and posted as Kinderkamack Road, which is the second oldest road in New Jersey and built on a Lenapi Trail by the Dutch and Flandarians ( Flanders). In Dutch and Flandarian it means Children's Road, in the Lenapi dialect it means meaning the place of ceremonial dance and worship. It is about eighteen miles long.
PKRG-TV
PKRG-TV, the public-access televisionPublic-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV station in Park Ridge has produced and documented many shows over the past ten years. They continue to produce a weekly live show every Monday night in addition to broadcasting special events in the town such as parades, sporting events, school plays, and charity events. Rolf Wahl, a borough resident, was the man who provided most of the guidance, technical knowledge and foresight for the station.
The television studio also hosted a "series" of shows entitled Behind The Badge which provided residents with an insight into the way the police department works. It included a tour of the police station and police cruiser and also an overview of programs the department works on to improve the welfare of the community, i.e. DARE
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, better known as DARE, is an international education program that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior. D.A.R.E., which has expanded globally since its founding in 1983, is a demand-side drug control strategy of the U.S....
programs and computer crimes.
The Bear's Nest
The Bear's Nest is a luxury gated community in Park Ridge. It has town house type style houses with luxury amenities including (in some houses) elevators. There is also a community house available for party rental, a pool, and multiple tennis courts. Famous residents included President Richard M. Nixon, Mrs. Pat Nixon, Raymond V. GilmartinRaymond Gilmartin
Raymond V. Gilmartin is a professor at Harvard Business School and a member of the board of directors at Microsoft and at General Mills. He was the President and CEO of Merck & Co, Inc. from 1994 until 2005 and was director of the company during the Vioxx scandal.Gilmartin received his B.S...
, current Board member on Microsoft, former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merck & Co., Inc, and Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
, coach of the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Emergency services
Park Ridge is one of the three towns involved with the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps which provides EMS service to Park Ridge, Woodcliff LakeWoodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 5,730.Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small part of it located in neighboring Hillsdale.The borough is an...
and Montvale
Montvale, New Jersey
Montvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,844.Montvale was incorporated as a borough on August 31, 1894, from portions of Orvil Township and Washington Township, at the height of the "Boroughitis" craze then...
. Tri-Boro is a non-profit group which provides free emergency service to those in the community who need it at any time. The headquarters is located in Park Ridge near Mill Pond.
Park Ridge also has its own Fire Department and Police Department.
Museum
Park Ridge's Pascack Historical Society Museum, at 19 Ridge Avenue, houses the world's only wampum drilling machine. This wooden artifact was made in Park Ridge by the Campbell Brothers who invented a way to drill through long pieces of hair pipe shells so that they could be strung and worn as breast plates by the Plains Indians, among others. Needing water for the operation, the industrious brothers leased a woolen mill that stood on the Pascack Brook. When that burned down they built their own mill farther down Pascack Creek on their land another shop on Pascack Road near their homestead. Both building housed drilling machines on their second floors where they were safe from prying eyes, as the two machines had not been patented. In the early 19th century, John Jacob Astor purchased wampum from the Campbells to trade with the Native Americans of the Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
whose beaver pelts he turned into men's hats. The best years for the wampum business were between 1835 and 1866. The drilling machine can be seen at the Pascack Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until noon and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free.
Noted residents
Notable current and former residents include:- Jedh Colby BarkerJedh Colby BarkerJedh Colby Barker was a United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Vietnam War in September 1967.-Biography:...
(1945–67), United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
Lance Corporal who posthumously received the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for heroism during the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. - Tom CoughlinTom CoughlinThomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
(born 1946), current coach of the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Brian CushingBrian Cushing-Houston Texans:Cushing was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.He scored his first career points on October 4, 2009 when he recorded a safety against the Oakland Raiders. The safety was the first recorded by a Texan since the 2002 season.Cushing was...
(born 1987), current linebacker for the Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Karen DuffyKaren DuffyKaren Duffy is an American model, television personality, and actress.-Early life:Duffy was born in New York City, the daughter of Carol, a homemaker, and Phil Duffy, a developer. She attended Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey, graduating in 1979...
(born 1961), model and author. - James GandolfiniJames GandolfiniJames J. Gandolfini, Jr. is an Italian American actor. He is best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO TV series The Sopranos, about a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia...
(born 1961), actor. - Raymond GilmartinRaymond GilmartinRaymond V. Gilmartin is a professor at Harvard Business School and a member of the board of directors at Microsoft and at General Mills. He was the President and CEO of Merck & Co, Inc. from 1994 until 2005 and was director of the company during the Vioxx scandal.Gilmartin received his B.S...
(born 1941), professor at Harvard Business School and a member of the board of directors at Microsoft and at General Mills who was the President and CEO of Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
from 1994 until 2005. - Augie HoffmannAugie HoffmannAugust W. "Augie" Hoffmann III is an American football guard. Hoffmann attended Saint Joseph Regional High School in neighboring Montvale, New Jersey...
(born 1981), guard signed by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. - Richard NixonRichard NixonRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
(1913–1994) and Pat NixonPat NixonThelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974. She was commonly known as Patricia or Pat Nixon.Born in Nevada, Pat Ryan grew up in Los Angeles, California...
(1912–1993), 37th President of the United StatesPresident of the United StatesThe President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and his wife. - The RochesThe RochesThe Roches are a female vocal group of three songwriting Irish-American sisters from Park Ridge, New Jersey, known for their "unusual" and "rich" harmonies, quirky lyrics, and casually comedic stage performances.The Roches have been active as performers and recording artists since the mid-1970s,...
(Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy), singer-songwriters and recording artists.
Historic sites
Park Ridge is home to the following locations on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- John G. Ackerson HouseJohn G. Ackerson HouseJohn G. Ackerson House, is located in Park Ridge, New Jersey. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 10, 1983.-References:...
- 142 Pascack Road (added 1983) - Isaac Debaun House - 124 Rivervale Road (added 1983)
- Park Ridge StationPark Ridge (NJT station)Park Ridge Station is a New Jersey Transit rail station on the Pascack Valley Line. The station is in Park Ridge, New Jersey and is located at Hawthorne and Park Avenues....
- Hawthorne and Park Avenue (added 1984) - Peter D. Perry HousePeter D. Perry HousePeter D. Perry House is located in Park Ridge, New Jersey. The house was built in 1792 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 10, 1983.-References:...
- 107 Rivervale Road (added 1983) - Wortendyke BarnWortendyke BarnWortendyke Barn, at 13 Pascack Road in Park Ridge, New Jersey, was built in 1770 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 2, 1972. The historic Dutch barn...
- 13 Pascack Road (added 1973) - Frederick Wortendyke House (Park Ridge) - 12 Pascack Road (added 1983)
External links
- Park Ridge Borough website
- Park Ridge Public Schools
- Data for the Park Ridge Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Pascack Historical Society
- Park Ridge Community Website