Fact or Fiction

 Thank you for your question.

Yes, there are. The plan is to eventually provide walking/biking paths along Pioneer Street from downtown all the way to I-5. That includes the section between Reiman Road and 35^th Ave. Planning work is in process for short sections including the area near Reiman Road. 

While the construction is not in the immediate future due to funding, we are continuing our efforts to seek grant funding to help expedite these projects.

We love that you’re enjoying Ridgefield!

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is Federal land that is managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, not the City of Ridgefield. The refuge is available for wildlife observation, environmental education, and hunting. Other activities such as biking, jogging, or boating are not offered at this refuge.

The City does offer a few suggestions for trails around the city – check out: https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-departments/public-works/parks/find-a-park/#trails.

Thank you for your question! The Overlook Park splash pad construction is set to begin in January 2023. 

Thank you for your question. 

The fire station went through a pre-application conference on April 27, 2021, but no formal development plans have been submitted to the City at this time.

Thank you for your question.

Exterior lighting code is set in Chapter 18.715 of the Ridgefield Municipal Code. The purpose of the chapter is to provide regulations that help conserve energy and resources and protect wildlife; promote health, safety, security, and productivity; and preserve the night-time environment. The provisions of the chapter are intended to minimize adverse offsite impacts including light pollution, light trespass, glare and night glow. 

The code does not specifically prohibit acorn lighting, however it sets the following standards for all exterior lighting fixtures, including street lighting:

1. All light trespass is prohibited. All exterior lighting fixtures and accent lighting shall be designed, installed, located and maintained such that there is no light trespass (see Figure 3 in 18.715.100).
2. Exterior lighting fixtures and accent lighting must be shielded and aimed downward. Examples of acceptable and unacceptable light pollution control shielding are shown in Figures 1 through 4 in 18.715.100. The shield must mask the direct horizontal surface of the light source. The light must be aimed to insure that the illumination is only pointing downward onto the ground surface, with no escaping direct light permitted to contribute to light pollution by shining upward into the sky.
3. Exterior lighting fixtures and accent lighting shall not directly illuminate public waterways such as Lake River, even if the shorelines are privately owned, unless it is a navigational light subject to state or federal regulations.
4. Accent lighting shall be directed downward onto the illuminated object or area and not toward the sky or onto adjacent properties (see Figure 4 in 18.715.100). Direct light emissions of such accent lighting shall not be visible above the roof line or beyond the building, structure, or object edge.
5. Spotlighting on landscaping and foliage shall be limited to one hundred fifty watts incandescent (two thousand two hundred twenty lumens output).
6. Wattage. No lighting fixture installed on the exterior of a new residential building shall exceed two hundred fifty watts or fluorescent or LED equivalent. No lighting fixture installed on the exterior of a new non-residential building shall exceed four hundred watts or fluorescent or LED equivalent.
7. Lighting After Business Hours. Non-residential uses are strongly encouraged to reduce nighttime light levels to only the level necessary for security purposes.
8. Street Lighting. All street lights installed after the effective date of this chapter shall be LED light fixtures and comply with all terms of this chapter, as well as the city engineering standards for public works construction.

If you have additional questions about specifics for street lighting, please contact the Engineering Division of Public Works Department at 360-887-8251.

Thank you for your question and happy to hear that you are enjoying the trail connection!

The Master Plan for Boyse Park is currently under development. As part of this process, we collected public feedback on proposed uses and amenities with a survey on Ridgefield Roundtable. Bike racks and a pump track were listed among these options. Using the survey results, as well as input from Parks Board and City Council, Public Works is currently working with a consultant to develop high-level concepts for a master plan at Boyse Park. These ideas will be presented to the Parks Board and City Council and undergo adjustments before a final plan is selected. Until a Master Plan is approved, we can’t say what will be constructed at Boyse Park. The decision on a final Master Plan Concept is planned for Spring 2023. Updates will be shared to the Boyse Park project page when available.

Thank you for your question. 

The work that is currently being done on this property is for agricultural purposes and is exempt from permitting requirements. There has been a Pre-Application submitted for a mixed use project. For more information about the Pre-App, please contact Community Development Department at 360-887-3908.

Yes, street parking is permitted anywhere Downtown where there are not signs prohibiting street parking. 

Thank you for your question. 

Yes, all of the work required by the City to close the Division St rail crossing, including signing the private crossing agreement with BNSF has been completed. At this time, any further progress is in the hands of BNSF. 

We look forward to BNSF ceasing the blowing of train horns in Ridgefield since there are no longer any public at grade railroad crossings.

Thank you for your question. 

Yes, we have received a pre-application packet including plans for a Costco in Ridgefield. You can read the full press release on our website: https://ridgefieldwa.us/costco-in-ridgefield-washington/

The City is working with the property owners and developer to assure the streets and intersections can handle the increased traffic. As the project moves through development stages, including when the Pre-Application Conference is scheduled, updates will be shared to the city website and social media and there will be additional information about traffic/infrastructure.

Work has begun on a connection extending from the area of NW Hillhurst Road/NW 31st Avenue to the existing I-5 Interchange at NW 219th St/SR 502. In March of 2021 we gathered feedback from the community on different possible alternatives for this connection. You can learn more about the project and projected timeline here: https://ridgefieldroundtable.org/i5-south-connection.