Activities
All registration forms for Board of Recreation activities are distributed in the schools and can be found on our website.
The Board of Recreation sponsors the following events:_
Basketball – The basketball program is open to Ridgefield Park students or those attending school in Ridgefield Park grades 2 - 8. The Second/Third Grade Clinic is held on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Parents must stay with participant. (Students should be in second grade as of September 2023 to participate.) Grades 3 - 8 play games on the weekends and practice one night per week during the season. Early bird registration is held until August 15 and regular registration is held in September at the Civic Center located at 159 Park Street. Registration fee is $50.00 for early bird registration until August 15, $40.00 for each additional child. Registration fee after August 15 is $55.00, $45.00 for each additional child. The program is available for RP residents/students or those attending school in RP. No cash will be accepted at the Clerk's Office, only checks. NO REFUNDS ON REGISTRATION FEES! Registration dates for 2024 are September 20 & 21.
There are no discounts for additional children on late registrations. All registrations submitted after Sept. 21 are $75.00 each. Early (and late) registrations should be sent to: Board of Recreation, 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park. All registration forms must be submitted by 10/25 to guarantee a spot on a team. No registrations will be accepted at evaluations. REGISTRATION CLOSES ON OCTOBER 25. Checks should be made payable to: RP BOARD OF RECREATION.
Evaluations will be held on October 28 and 29. The season runs from December through March. This is a recreational and instructional league. The basketball program is always looking for those willing to give their time to help run the league smoothly. All it takes is one hour of practice per week and one game. Training sessions are run for coaches and/or referees. Assistance is provided to anyone willing to give his/her time to coach. You do not have to be a professional at the game to coach, only willing to donate your time for your own child. The Board of Recreation arranges to have a certification class for coaches. You must also submit to a background check by an outside party in order to coach.
Basketball clinic registration
Big Mike’s 3 v 3 Co-Ed Basketball League – This is an adult activity named in honor of Mike O’Neill who was a pillar of this community and spent many years on the sidelines and fields of RP giving of his time to coach his children as well as many others. When there are enough teams interested, it takes place from approximately September - October.
Eligibility: Men 25 years and older / women 21 years or older. Must be a Ridgefield Park or Little Ferry resident.
Game Nights: Mondays @ Lincoln School gym Fall League, Tuesdays @ Lincoln for Spring League
Game Times: 6:30 / approximately 7:15 / approximately 8:00 and approximately 8:45pm [8 team league]
Game Structure: Each game will be 4 quarters, 8 minutes in length.
Regular Season Dates: TBA
Roster Size: 5-7 Players – We encourage each team to have at least one woman participating.
Cost: $350 Per Team – Payment to be made via check made out to Board of Recreation. This can be mailed to 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park or dropped off at Town Hall at same address. Payment due before season starts.
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Saturday Night Hoops* - Program to run Saturdays: January 25, 2025 – April 6, 2025
(*This program only takes place when there are enough volunteer coaches.)
Times of Games – Tipoff times ranging from 5-8 PM
Location: Ridgefield Park Junior/Senior High School Gym
ELIGIBILITY: BOYS/GIRLS GRADES 9, 10 ,11 & 12 (Must live in Ridgefield Park or attend RP J/S HS)
Maximum # of Players Needed: 60*
*The first 60 to sign-up and submit payment will participate in tryouts. All others who submit after the initial 60 will be put on a wait list to fill a spot if any of the 60 choose not to participate.
Tryout date and times: DECEMBER 4 & 18 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at LINCOLN SCHOOL GYM
Checks should be made payable to: RP BOARD OF RECREATION
Fee: $75.00 per player NO REFUNDS ON REGISTRATION FEES!
MAIL or DROP OFF registration/fee to: Board of Recreation, 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park
Deadline to submit registration form is 12/18/24 and fee is $75.00. Please be mindful, if there are not enough coach volunteers, this program cannot take place.
Registration form: https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/board-recreation.
GIRLS’ & BOYS TRAVELING BASKETBALL TEAM
Grades: 7/8 Girls 7/8 Boys
2024 SEASON
Eligibility: Grades 7/8 (current) girls and Grades 7/8 Boys who live in or attend school in Ridgefield Park and Little Ferry
INFO: [email protected]
Rag-A-Muffin Parade – The Board of Recreation will be sponsoring its annual Rag-A-Muffin Parade on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. sharp. All participants should meet at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Hobart Street, no later than 10:30 a.m. sharp, with their registration form. As in the past, prizes will be awarded in all divisions and each child will receive a “goody bag”. The rain date will be Saturday, October 28, 2023. For further Info, email [email protected] or leave a message on the voicemail at 201-641-4950 ext. 610. There will be divisions for single costumes, groups, floats, wagons and anything with wheels as well as a separate division for out-of-town participants. There’s lots of fun for everyone – food carts, DJ and a special show to entertain while waiting for trophies to be awarded!! Rain Date is Sunday, October 27 @ 1:30 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting - The annual Christmas tree lighting is held on the first Sunday of December at 5:30 p.m. (December 1, 2024) in front of the Municipal Building. Village residents, both young and old, gather to hear Christmas carols, while waiting for that most exciting moment when Santa Claus lights the tree. Each year at the Tree Lighting all school aged children kindergarten to grade 6 are presented with a special ballot and one lucky child wins a special prize sponsored by Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home! This year someone will also will a free summer camp enrollment as well!! There are some special gifts basket prizes also awarded too! Special guests also attend this event! The flyer and ballot are available here. Ugly Sweater Contest held after the tree lighting. Details TBA.
Holiday Wish Tree – It is all about giving not receiving and we sponsor this program so that those who are fortunate enough to give can give to those who need it. By Thanksgiving weekend, you can select your ornament at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AC23A0F8C07-holiday2. The tree is located outside the Clerk’s office, and you can also stop there for an ornament. You need to return your gift by December 13, 2024. Your gift will then be delivered to a very appreciative child. Thanks again for your assistance!
Holiday Display Contest -
Judging will be held on December 13, 14 & 15. Judges canvass the Village and award prizes to the best-decorated homes and businesses. Winners will be posted on the Village website after the contest. Registration is required to participate in this contest. All those wishing to participate must register by Wednesday, December 11 to be included in the contest. Forms should be mailed or dropped off to the Clerk's Office. Entries can also be emailed to: [email protected].
Judging begins at dusk. Just a note for participants, photos are kept of past winners. Decorations must be changed significantly from the previous year in order to receive a prize the following year. The registration form is available here.
After the contest, check for winners on https://www.ridgefieldpark.org/node/25/news and the community message board. Registration forms are available online or at the municipal building. You must register by December 18 to be included in the contest. Email, drop off or mail the forms to the Board of Recreation at 234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park. YOU MUST REGISTER IF YOU ARE RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS.
Adult Trips/Activities - If you have any suggestions for any trips, speakers or activities you would like to see sponsored by the Board of Recreation, please drop us a note at the Clerk's Office or leave a message on our voice mail at (201) 641-4950 ext. 610. Check the website periodically for discount tickets to area events. We occasionally run craft classes when there is enough interest shown.
Senior Citizens Christmas Party - Tickets for the senior citizens holiday party are available at the Clerk's Office in December. For further information, stop at the Civic Center.
THINGS YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU CAN COACH
Just a note for prospective coaches for next season – for the safety of our youth, all Board of Recreation coaches have some mandatory requirements before they can coach. You can complete the requirements now if interested in coaching.
1) Background checks – paid for by the Board of Recreation and only take a few minutes to complete.
2) Certification – you may attend a fall class offered by the Board or schedule a class at your convenience at: http://youthsports.rutgers.edu/ (you will be reimbursed after submitting a copy of your card and paid receipt).
3) Online Concussion course – view the video at http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html.
Submit certificate of completion to Board.
4) Protecting Our Children Videos – the Village insurance carrier requires these videos.
Links: https://njmel.org/mel-safety-institute/model-policies/protecting-children-videos/
https://njmel.org/?s=Building+a+Safe+Workplace%3A+Anti-Harassment+and+Discrimination.
Submit certificates of completion to Board.
DON’T FORGET: All Board of Recreation meetings are open to the public. They are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center at 159 Park Street. Anyone with any questions, comments or suggestions is more than welcome to attend any meeting.