Elmwood Park, New Jersey
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Elmwood Park is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and is a bedroom suburb located Template:Convert from New York City.<ref>[1], Distance between Cities: Elmwood Park, NJ to New York, NY. Accessed May 3, 2022.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 21,422,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 2,019 (+10.4%) from the 2010 census count of 19,403,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 478 (+2.5%) from the 18,925 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
Prior to 1916, the area was known as Dundee Lake, a section of Saddle River Township.<ref name=History/> Residents of the Dundee Lake area voted on April 18, 1916, to secede from Saddle River Township to form the Borough of East Paterson.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 77. Accessed July 18, 2012.</ref> In 1917, residents of the Rosemont section of Saddle River Township voted to be annexed to East Paterson.<ref name=History /> In November 1972, residents voted to change the name of the borough to Elmwood Park. The new name became official on January 1, 1973.<ref name=History />
Elmwood Park, being located in Bergen County, has strict blue laws, which require most businesses to be closed on Sunday.<ref>Verdon, Joan. "Foes of Bergen County blue laws gear up again", The Record, February 3, 2013, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 15, 2016. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Bergen County's blue laws — the rules that keep most of the county's stores closed on Sundays — are being scrutinized for signs of weakness by groups that believe the time is right to repeal them.... Bergen County is the last county in the state to retain blue laws, which prohibit sales of certain goods on Sundays, and keep all of the county's department stores and malls closed, with the exception of mall restaurants and movie theaters."</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.73 square miles (7.06 km2), including 2.64 square miles (6.85 km2) of land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) of water (3.00%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
The borough borders Paterson and Clifton in Passaic County across the Passaic River to the West; Fair Lawn to the North and East; Saddle Brook to the East; and Garfield to the South (the latter three municipalities in Bergen County). A trip clockwise along the border from the Northwest corner runs from the middle of the Passaic River ENE along Willow Street, SSE along Cyril Avenue, ENE along New Jersey Route 4 (Broadway), SSE along the Bergen County Line, WSW along the extension of Rosario Court from Saddle Brook, continuing WSW along Dye Ave. and between Garwood Court North and Kipp Avenue, and N along the middle of the Passaic River.<ref>Areas touching Elmwood Park, MapIt. Accessed March 24, 2020.</ref><ref>Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 24, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names within the borough include Cherry Hill, Dundee Lake, Passaic Junction and Rosemont.<ref name=History>Mola, Geraldine. A Brief History of Elmwood Park, Borough of Elmwood Park. Accessed September 14, 2017. "After its passage, Dundee Lake residents voted on April 18, 1916, to secede from Saddle River Township. The new town was quickly incorporated as the Borough of East Paterson, and by June, citizens had elected its first public officials. One year later, residents from the Rosemont section of Saddle River Township voted to be annexed to East Paterson, extending the new Borough's borders.... The 1940s introduced many changes as large tracts of land were purchased for development. Early in the decade the Cherry Hill section was bought by the government to build much needed housing for workers in nearby defense factories, including Wright's local aeronautical plant."</ref><ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2015.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 19,403 people, 7,032 households, and 5,140 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,385 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 75.37% (14,624) White, 5.25% (1,019) Black or African American, 0.33% (65) Native American, 10.72% (2,080) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 5.47% (1,062) from other races, and 2.83% (549) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.22% (4,117) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 7,032 households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18; 53.8% were married couples living together; 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.9% were non-families. Of all households, 22.3% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.25.<ref name=Census2010/>
20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.9 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,719 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,506) and the median family income was $75,587 (+/− $4,326). Males had a median income of $50,943 (+/− $1,704) versus $41,654 (+/− $3,193) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,959 (+/− $2,217). About 3.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Elmwood Park borough, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 18, 2012.</ref>
Same-sex couples headed 49 households in 2010, an increase from the 33 counted in 2000.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed December 1, 2014.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 18,925 people, 7,089 households, and 5,075 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,242 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 78.53% White, 4.16% African American, 0.11% Native American, 7.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.44% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.39% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Elmwood Park borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 16, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Elmwood Park borough, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 18, 2012.</ref>
There were 7,089 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the borough was $52,319, and the median income for a family was $59,131. Males had a median income of $40,684 versus $39,535 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,588. About 4.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Arts and culture
[edit]Musical groups from the borough include the hardcore punk band Adrenalin O.D.<ref>Lustig, Jay. "N.J. Rock & Pop Hall: Looking to the future", The Star-Ledger, March 16, 2012. Accessed November 22, 2014. "Adrenalin O.D., Elmwood Park. Punk band specializing in fast, funny songs."</ref>
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Elmwood Park is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 160.</ref> The borough form of government is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>
Template:As of, the mayor of Elmwood Park is Republican Robert Colletti, whose term of office expires December 31, 2027.<ref name=Mayor>Mayor Robert Colletti, Borough of Elmwood Park. Accessed April 26, 2024.</ref> Members of the borough council are Council President Theresa Sheridan (R, 2024), Tanisha Dennis (D, 2024), Francesco Fasolo (D, 2025), Daniel Golabek (D, 2025), Lorraine Pellegrine (R, 2026) and Pamela Troisi (R, 2026).<ref>Mayor & Council, Borough of Elmwood Park. Accessed March 13, 2023.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Elmwood Park. Accessed April 26, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Bergen2021>Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
After being denied support by the Democratic Party in her re-election bid, Lorraine Pellegrine announced in March 2023 that she would switch parties and run as a Republican in the November general election.<ref>Wildstein, David. "Elmwood Park councilwoman switches parties Veteran Democrat Lorraine Pellegrine will seek re-election as a Republican", New Jersey Globe, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 15, 2023. "A longtime Democratic councilwoman in Elmwood Park who was being denied party support for re-election Is switching parties and will seek re-election as a Republican. Lorraine Pellegrine said she was told last month that she would not get the line if she ran for re-election."</ref>
Republican Richard A. Mola served continuously as mayor for nearly 45 years, from 1972 (a year before the borough's name was changed from East Paterson) until his death in 2016.<ref>Koloff, Abbott; and Janoski, Steve. "Richard Mola, longtime Elmwood Park mayor and former Bergen freeholder, dies at 80", The Record, October 21, 2016, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 22, 2016. Accessed September 14, 2017.</ref> He was replaced by Robert Colletti on an interim basis.<ref>Hoey, Alexandra. "Robert Colletti voted interim mayor in Elmwood Park", The Record, November 15, 2016. Accessed December 1, 2016.</ref> In May 2019, Daniel Golabek was selected from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to take the mayoral seat after Frank Caramanga resigned in the wake of accusations that he had completed voter ballots.<ref>Sobko, Katie. "New Elmwood Park mayor sworn in; Republican primary heats up", The Record, May 16, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2019. "Caramagna was arrested and resigned last month after allegedly filling in ballots of other registered voters between March 2017 and November 2018. Meanwhile, the council swore in acting Mayor Daniel Golabek into the role of mayor. Council members voted on the three Democratic nominees submitted by the Elmwood Park Democratic County Committee: Councilwoman Sandra Balistrieri, Golabek and Councilwoman Lorraine Pellegrine. Eleven committee members, including Caramagna, signed off on the nominees."</ref> In June 2019, Francesco Fasolo was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that became vacant when Daniel Golabek took office as mayor in April.<ref>Sobko, Katie. "Elmwood Park council full for the first time since April as Francesco Fasolo sworn in", The Record, June 13, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2019. "Francesco Fasolo was appointed to fill the borough's vacant council seat during Thursday night's special meeting. Fasolo was appointed unanimously to replace Councilman Daniel Golabek, who was appointed to replace Mayor Frank Caramagna in April."</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Elmwood Park is located in the 9th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 35th state legislative district.<ref>Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>
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Politics
[edit]As of March 2011, there were a total of 10,470 registered voters in Elmwood Park, of which 3,256 (31.1% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,898 (18.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 5,312 (50.7% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Bergen, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 54.0% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 68.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref>
In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 4,559 votes (53.3% vs. 54.2% countywide), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 3,737 votes (43.7% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 261 votes (3.1% vs. 4.6%), among the 8,690 ballots cast by the borough's 12,582 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.1% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 8, 2016 General Election Results - Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, November 8, 2016. Accessed May 24, 2020</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 4,506 votes (60.6% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 2,790 votes (37.5% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 59 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 7,434 ballots cast by the borough's 11,262 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.0% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 4,462 votes (55.0% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 3,459 votes (42.7% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 93 votes (1.1% vs. 0.8%), among the 8,109 ballots cast by the borough's 11,201 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.4% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>2008 General Election Results for Elmwood Park" Template:Webarchive, The Record. Accessed November 10, 2008.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 4,246 votes (54.3% vs. 51.7% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 3,474 votes (44.4% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 56 votes (0.7% vs. 0.7%), among the 7,819 ballots cast by the borough's 10,922 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.6% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref>
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|53.3% 4,794 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|43.2% 3,884 |
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|45.6% 4,475 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.4% 5,238 |
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|43.7% 3,737 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|53.3% 4,559 |
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|37.5% 2,790 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.6% 4,506 |
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|42.7% 3,459 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|55.0% 4,462 |
| style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[2], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref> | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|44.4% 3,474 | style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.3% 4,246 |
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.8% of the vote (2,498 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 39.9% (1,695 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (57 votes), among the 4,383 ballots cast by the borough's 10,906 registered voters (133 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.2%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 2,297 ballots cast (48.4% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 2,099 votes (44.2% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 264 votes (5.6% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 27 votes (0.6% vs. 0.5%), among the 4,750 ballots cast by the borough's 10,758 registered voters, yielding a 44.2% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref>
Education
[edit]The Elmwood Park Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Elmwood Park Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Elmwood Park School District. Composition: The Elmwood Park School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Elmwood Park."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 2,586 students and 195.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.2:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Elmwood Park School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Elmwood Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Gantner Avenue Elementary School<ref>Gantner Avenue Elementary School, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with 327 students in grades K-5, Gilbert Avenue Elementary School<ref>Gilbert Avenue Elementary School, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with 392 students in grades K-5, Sixteenth Avenue Elementary School<ref>Sixteenth Avenue Elementary School, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with 427 students in grades PreK-5, Memorial Middle School<ref>Memorial Middle School, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with 643 students in grades 6-8 and Elmwood Park Memorial High School<ref>Elmwood Park High School, Elmwood Park Public Schools. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with 742 students in grades 9-12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Elmwood Park School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Elmwood Park Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
Despite boasting several state championship football teams in the early 1970s, the Elmwood Park High School Crusaders football team went into a lengthy period of decline. The Crusader football team had a 41-game losing streak in effect from 2002 until September 30, 2006, when they defeated the Manchester Regional High School Falcons, 33–14, ending the four-year-long losing streak.<ref>Conley, Jen. "Giants Name Elmwood Park's Luciani Coach Of The Week"Template:Dead link, New York Giants, October 3, 2006. Accessed April 12, 2011. "Elmwood Park Memorial High School football, notorious in Northern New Jersey for its 41 game losing streak, finally snapped that record by defeating Manchester Regional High School 33-14 and winning its first game since 2002."</ref>
Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.<ref>About Us Template:Webarchive, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref><ref>Admissions Template:Webarchive, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 23, 2016.</ref>
Emergency services
[edit]Elmwood Park has a fire department with four fire stations. Station 1 (E1-R1) on Grove Street. Station 2 (E2-R2-Marine 1 and 2) on Parkview Avenue. Station 3 (E3-Squad 3) on Martha Avenue. And Station 4 (T4) at the intersection of Boulevard and Veterans Place.<ref>Elmwood Park Fire Department. Accessed October 8, 2018.</ref>
Established in the 1960s, Elmwood Park had a volunteer ambulance corps on Falmouth Avenue, which was disbanded in 2019 due to declining numbers of volunteers. Elmwood Park is now served by a paid EMS service.<ref>Noda, Stephanie. "Elmwood Park disbands volunteer ambulance service after response times rise", The Record, December 7, 2019. Accessed April 24, 2021. "After 55 years serving the borough, the Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps has shut down due to lack of membership. The borough decided to disband the group at the beginning of December and move toward having a paid emergency medical service by applying for a basic life support license, said Borough Administrator Michael Foligno."</ref>
Elmwood Park has a police department located on Market Street.<ref>Home Page, Elmwood Park Police Department. Accessed October 8, 2018.</ref>
Transportation
[edit]_from_the_overpass_for_Miles_Street_in_Elmwood_Park,_Bergen_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Roads and highways
[edit]Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Bergen County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Bergen County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref>
Route 4, Interstate 80, U.S. Route 46, and the Garden State Parkway serve Elmwood Park.
Public transportation
[edit]Elmwood Park is served by NJ Transit buses 160 and 161 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with local service on the 702, 712, 758 and 770 routes.<ref>Routes by County: Bergen County, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed September 14, 2016.</ref><ref>Bergen County System Map Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed September 14, 2016.</ref> NJ Transit's Bergen County Line tracks travel through Elmwood Park, but does not have a station stop in the borough, with the nearest stations being the Radburn and Broadway stations in Fair Lawn.
The Passaic-Bergen Rail Line is a proposed rail system that is planned to have a stop in Elmwood Park.<ref>Superville, Denisa R., "Residents get scoop on light rail line -- NJ Transit project four years away", The Record, September 20, 2008, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 18, 2016. Accessed September 14, 2017.</ref>
Points of interest
[edit]The Van Houten–Hillman House, named for Cornelius J. Van Houten who constructed the house Template:Circa and Herman Hillman who purchased it in 1898, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1983.<ref>Revolutionary War Sites in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Revolutionary War New Jersey. Accessed December 5, 2013.</ref>
The House of Loud, recording studio where numerous metalcore, punk and post-hardcore bands recorded such as Pierce the Veil, Breaking Benjamin, Paramore, Papa Roach and Bring Me the Horizon.
Artesian Fields County Park- a Bergen County-owned park located on Boulevard and Gilbert Street. The park consists of athletic fields, a walking path, a lake beach, a small zoo, and a playground.
Parkway Lanes is a bowling alley located at the intersection of the Garden State Parkway and Route 46 that has been in operation since June 1959.<ref>Home. Parkway Bowling. Accessed October 9, 2018.</ref>
The Marcal Paper Company Plant was a landmark until its destruction by fire in January 2019.<ref>Sheldon, Chris. "Historic Marcal Paper plant destroyed by fire as iconic red sign, brick building collapse in massive blaze", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 30, 2019. Accessed February 8, 2020. "The Marcal Paper Plant, a battleground against numerous small and not-so-small fires over the decades, was mostly destroyed Wednesday night as a massive blaze tore through the historic factory on the Passaic River in Elmwood Park."</ref> Its parent company, Soundview Paper Company, continues to make Marcal paper products. In January 2020, one year and one day following the devastating fire that destroyed the Mill, Marcal Paper officially restarted paper manufacturing.<ref>"Marcal Paper Resumes Operations After Devastating Fire Destroyed Plant", WCBS-TV, January 31, 2020. Accessed January 30, 2021. "year after a devastating fire, an iconic New Jersey factory says it is back in business. Marcal paper factory is making a comeback Friday. 'Marcal paper is official back in business,' said Marcal Paper CEO Robert Baron, announcing the official restart of paper manufacturing."</ref>
Controversy
[edit]White supremacist groups had been meeting at a local branch of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics since the 1990s. David Duke stopped there during his 1988 presidential campaign. On September 25, 2007, the locks were changed, reported the secretary treasurer of the JOUAM. At this time, he states, "As soon as we found out, we took action," referring to the revelation that some members of the Junior Order chapter were white power activists. Numerous boxes containing tapes and books were recovered by the police, which were sent to the FBI.<ref>Brubaker, Paul. "Meeting hall owner changes the locks", Herald News, September 28, 2007, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 24, 2007. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Elmwood Park -- For years, the community tolerated white supremacists promulgating intolerance under the First Amendment's protection at a tiny meeting hall off of Interstate 80."</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Elmwood Park include:
- ASAP Rocky (born 1988 as Rakim Mayers), rapper<ref>Zeichner, Naomi. "Interview: ASAP Rocky", The Fader, September 8, 2011. Accessed January 2, 2012. "Last year, ASAP Rocky left Manhattan and moved to Elmwood Park, New Jersey with his mom and little sister."</ref>
- Cathy Bao Bean (born 1942), author of The Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Memoir and Manual<ref>The Chopsticks-Fork Principle, A Memoir and Manual, Cathy Bao Bean. Accessed December 5, 2013. "In 1949, we moved to Elmwood Park, NJ. I started to think in English and forget in Chinese."</ref>
- Cornelius A. Cadmus (1844–1902), represented Template:Ushr from 1891 to 1895<ref>Cornelius A. Cadmus, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed October 9, 2007.</ref>
- Carmen Carrera (born 1985), transgender entertainer and model / reality television personality who appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3<ref>RuPaul's Drag Race › Season 3, Logo (TV channel), backed up by the Internet Archive as of November 16, 2010. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Carmen Carrera 25, Elmwood Park, NJ"</ref>
- W. Cary Edwards (1944–2010), politician who served as New Jersey Attorney General from 1986 to 1989<ref>Romano, Jay. "On the Road With Cary Edwards", The New York Times, April 25, 1993. Accessed December 5, 2013. "W. Cary Edwards, 48, was born in Ridgewood and grew up in Bergen County. When he was 11 years old, his parents separated, and he moved with his mother, Virginia, and a brother and a sister to East Paterson."</ref>
- Sheena Iyengar (born 1969), Columbia Business School professor<ref>Goldstein, Evan R. "To Choose or Not to Choose: Sheena Iyengar shakes up psychology, starting with a jar of jam and now with a new book", Chronicle of Higher Education, March 14, 2010. Accessed December 6, 2011. "'My parents were very sensitive about my blindness, and they didn't want it known,' says Iyengar, who was born in Toronto and raised in a heavily Sikh enclave in Flushing, N.Y., and, later, Elmwood Park, N.J."</ref>
- Christian Mahogany (born 2000), American football offensive guard for the Boston College Eagles.<ref>Tartaglia, Greg. "Boston College football commit Christian Mahogany headlines Paramus Catholic signees", The Record, February 6, 2019. Accessed May 3, 2023. "Christian Mahogany heard about Boston College's reputation for fielding strong offensive lines and decided he wanted to be a part of one.... Mahogany, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound Elmwood Park resident, was listed as the No. 3 guard in New Jersey by 247Sports, and according to bceagles.com, the ACC school also signed the No. 2 guard in the state, Blerim Rustemi of DePaul."</ref>
- Cora-Ann Mihalik (born Template:Circa), former television news anchor and reporter who was best known as co-anchor and news reporter for Fox WNYW and My 9 WWOR from 1987 to 2011<ref>Longo, Rosalie. "Newswoman, Businessmen Honored by University", Herald News, September 7, 2001. Accessed March 6, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "For years, she has been applauding others for achievements. This summer, Cora-Ann Mihalik was on the receiving end.... Cited many times for her work in communications, the Elmwood Park native received an Excellence in Journalism Award from the Cleveland Press Club for public service and was nominated for an Emmy for political reporting at WLS-TV in Chicago."</ref><ref>Kubasik, Ben. "TV Spots; Mihalik's Advice to Graduates", Newsday, June 23, 1989. Accessed March 6, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "WNYW/5 anchor Cora Ann Mihalik, class of '72, Elmwood Park (NJ) High School, returns to offer pointers to tonight's graduates."</ref>
- Liv Morgan (born 1994), model and WWE wrestler (billed from Elmwood Park, grew up in Morristown, New Jersey). <ref>Staff. "Liv Morgan is livin' the dream in NXT ", WWE. Accessed April 22, 2017. "Liv's love of WWE consumed her so much that she and her four older brothers built a makeshift ring in the backyard of their Elmwood Park, N.J., home."</ref>
- John “Jack” McGrath (born 1919), World War II Veteran, part of the 101st Airborne Division E Company, depicted in the Band of Brothers miniseries about the E Company, 506th Infantry Regiment during World War II<ref>Levin, Jay. "Soldier depicted in Band of Brothers dies at 92", Stars and Stripes, April 26, 2012. Accessed February 8, 2020. "John McGrath, a reluctant World War II hero whose derring-do became well known after his depiction in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, died on Tuesday. He was 92. For decades, McGrath’s local claim to fame was his service to the Elmwood Park Fire Department in New Jersey, which he joined in 1952."</ref>
- Gary Nova (born 1993), quarterback for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team<ref>Staff. "Rutgers' Gary Nova loses starting QB job to Chas Dodd", The Record, November 25, 2013, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 15, 2016. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Nova, the junior from Elmwood Park who played at Don Bosco, was ineffective in the last five games, four Rutgers losses."</ref>
- Dick Vitale (born 1939), basketball coach and broadcaster<ref>Dick Vitale bio, ESPN.com, dated November 2004. Accessed September 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Iannazzone, Al. "Vitale continues fight against cancer for old lost pal Valvano", The Record, September 25, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 19, 2016. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Dick Vitale stood behind Jim Valvano during his moving, unforgettable speech more than 18 years ago and continues standing by a promise he made his dear friend.... Vitale has made it his life's mission.Using his greatest gifts – his voice and his passion – the Elmwood Park native has been a driving force in The V Foundation raising more than $100 million for cancer research."</ref>
- Robert Zoellner (1932–2014), investor and stamp collector who was the second person to have assembled a complete collection of United States postage stamps<ref>Levin, Jay. "Robert E. Zoellner, investment firm founder and philanthropist from Alpine, dead at 82", The Record, December 30, 2014, backed up by the Internet Archive as of December 31, 2014. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Robert Emil Zoellner grew up in the former East Paterson and attended Lehigh University in Pennsylvania."</ref>
Sources
[edit]- Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties) prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
- Clayton, W. Woodford; and Nelson, Nelson. History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1882.
- Harvey, Cornelius Burnham (ed.), Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Co., 1900.
- Van Valen, James M. History of Bergen County, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900.
- Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858–1942, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630–1923, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1923.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Elmwood Park Borough website
- Elmwood Park Public Schools
- Template:NJReportCard
- School Data for the Elmwood Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics