Construction begins on ramp at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood

darius amos/the ridgewood news

Work began last week on a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp into Graydon Pool.

A new sloped entryway leading into Graydon Pool will be completed by the end of the month, weather permitting, giving residents with accessibility challenges the opportunity to use Ridgewood's water park beginning next summer.

Municipal and state officials joined a handful of residents at the village's historic swimming facility last Friday to commemorate the start of the ramp's construction. Ground broke on the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp early last week, and the first drops of concrete were poured Tuesday.

"While I definitely think it took us way too long to get here, I'm glad we're here. This is an extraordinary moment, a moment that is important to our community," said Mayor Paul Aronsohn, addressing a small audience that gathered for the ceremony. "Ridgewood is to be one of the most inclusive, welcoming, accepting places. This is going to make us more inclusive and more welcoming."

The discussions that began almost three years ago turned into debate among members of the Village Council and general public. Since the first conversations took place, the tone at meetings and on-site visits has varied from full support to strong objections. The final project even divided Ridgewood's governing body, as the council approved the ramp design by 3-2 vote.

But even with the council's blessing, which was granted last year with hopes of installing a ramp for the 2013 season, continued opposition prompted delays and subsequent mediation by the state Department of Environmental Protection's Historic Preservation Office. A meeting in Ridgewood conducted by DEP officials took place earlier this year, and the state used information from that session as well as from emailed comments to offer recommendations.

The design, including the approved version as well as previous plans, was challenged by several residents, many of whom argued that the overall size of the ramp detracted from the historical nature of the sandy-bottomed pool. They also contended that the location of the ramp was inappropriate.

In September, the state opined that a slightly modified accessibility ramp would not detract from the 1920s charm of Graydon. DEP officials advised the village to alter its designs to mitigate flooding conditions and tint the ramp's color a shade that closely resembles the park's sand.

Last week, Ridgewood municipal engineer Chris Rutishauser led a tour of the unfinished project, walking attendees from the pavilion where the ramp begins down toward its final landing. The ramp, which runs alongside an existing stone wall, will end at a level in about 2 feet of water.

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Construction begins on ramp at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood