Park Ridge Reopens 1871 Train Depot After $900,000 Restoration

More than 100 residents and public officials gathered in Park Ridge on Oct. 20 for the grand reopening of the borough’s historic train depot. The station, originally opened in 1871 for Pascack Valley commuters, has undergone a comprehensive renovation. Mayor Keith Misciagna declared the project complete after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, stating that the building is now in excellent condition.

Borough Clerk Maggie Giandomenico detailed the financial breakdown of the project, which totaled approximately $900,000. The core restoration work cost $680,000. An additional $100,000 covered a required change order, and the borough spent $125,000 on professional services from a historical architect. The funds came from a $412,000 county Open Space Trust Fund matching grant, which was matched by a similar amount from local funds. The state also provided a $147,000 transit village grant for upgrades.

Giandomenico noted that the local Open Space Trust Fund was essential for securing the county match. A ballot question in Park Ridge this year seeks to make that local funding permanent. She listed other projects supported by those funds, including improvements to Memorial Park, the acquisition of North Fifth Street, upgrades to Davies Field, and the construction of a basketball court on Sulak Lane.

Former Mayor David Grubb, who served from 1984 to 1988, spoke about the station’s history. He recalled that a group of volunteers led by George Peed began a rescue project in 1981. Grubb explained that the building lacked a foundation and was in poor condition. The volunteers physically lifted the structure, installed a proper foundation, and set it back down. They also worked with Benjamin Moore to match the original paint color from 1871.

Grubb emphasized that the 1986 restoration was an all-volunteer effort. The town spent no tax dollars on that initial rescue, except for the cost of a site plan. The station was re-dedicated on Oct. 11, 1986. Grubb showed a 1986 newspaper clipping to a reporter, documenting the previous ceremony. He credited Peed and his team with saving the building from demolition.

Misciagna highlighted the physical changes made during the recent renovation. The station now features a new cupola, a slate roof similar to the original, and new copper flashing. The woodwork reflects the building’s 1870s origins. The interior includes long wooden benches, historical photographs, a potbelly stove, and a working bathroom. Artifacts in the station include a 37-star flag and historical images, many provided by Peed.

Architect William J. Martin described the depot as Carpenter Gothic or Stick Style, noting its board-and-batten siding and bracketed eaves. He stated that the station serves as a physical reminder of how Park Ridge developed as a commuter community. Martin said the borough has a tradition of preserving its historic fabric rather than replacing it, a practice that includes the Wortendyke House and local farmsteads.

Misciagna acknowledged the assistance of borough historian Ralph Donnell Jr. and Kristin Beuscher of the Pascack Historical Society. He thanked them for their role in maintaining local history. The mayor urged residents to visit the restored station to view its history and the work completed by municipal employees and volunteers.