- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
|
||||||
 
|
The first thing you will notice when you visit Ridgefield is the sense of community that predominates. Ridgefield is a dynamic combination of people, history, culture, and environment. From the bustling shops on Main Street to the quiet country roads on the town's borders, Ridgefield offers its own unique view of the way life should be. Ridgefield's landscape encompasses 35 square miles of wooded, rolling hills dotted with numerous freshwater ponds and streams. We are 22,000 strong living at an altitude elevation of 379 to 890 feet. The center of this colonial town revolves around its Main Street, which is thought to be the most beautiful in all New England. This vibrant mid-size community offers a variety of housing choices for families and individuals in all stages of life. Many homes offer generous lots combining the beauty of a rural setting with the convenience of nearby metropolitan areas. Although colonial style reproduction and antiques are abundant, contemporary styles and condominiums are also available. Whatever the architecture, Ridgefield homes come in a variety of sizes and price ranges. For families and singles there are several rental options available. A 40-unit apartment complex for seniors completes the diverse selection of housing. Come visit Ridgefield, any time of year and see for yourself what this exciting community has to offer. Recreation As an active community, Ridgefield has made every effort to make recreational activities available to all residents throughout the year. The town offers a variety of recreational options, including:
Arts & Culture
Ridgefield residents enjoy the many benefits of an active cultural lifestyle. The community supports many clubs and organizations founded for the purpose of expanding cultural awareness in the community. Some of these groups include: Ridgefield Civic Ballet, Ridgefield Orchestra, Ridgefield Symphony, Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, and the workshop for the Performing Arts. The town boasts two nationally recognized museums - The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art and the Keeler Tavern. Both offer glimpses of Ridgefield's past through their colonial buildings, while each offers a unique cultural experience. Dining & Shopping
Ridgefield offers a diverse selection of dining pleasures from four-star restaurants to sidewalk cafes. Choices include Italian bistros, Mexican cafes and seafood restaurants. Ridgefield's proximity to New York often attracts some of the City's finest culinary talent. Shoppers will also enjoy browsing among the charming boutiques of Main Street, looking for antiques. Danbury Fair Mall, New England's largest is only 10 minutes away, offering a selection of nationally known specialty and department stores, restaurants, and a working carousel. Business
Headed by the active Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, Ridgefield's business community continues to be a dynamic force year after year. Both small local retailers and large corporate headquarters call Ridgefield home. Although Ridgefield is primarily a residential community, the town's proximity to New York and other corporate hubs in Fairfield and Westchester counties make it a convenient location for business. Education
"Each student is truly an individual with unique abilities and needs" This excerpt from the Ridgefield Public School's Philosophy of Education reflects the attention and involvement that Ridgefield teachers and parents feel the community's young people deserve. The Ridgefield public school system is administered by a nine-member town Board of Education, elected by local residents. A number of educational parent's organizations also take an active role in helping to set the agenda for students. Within the community, there are six elementary schools, two middle schools and a senior high school and day care options available for younger children. At a time when state and national SAT scores have remained almost static, the scores of Ridgfefield students have continued to rise. Over ninety percent of our high school graduates go on to higher education. Ridgefield students receive a high degree of individual attention both on and off the campus. Through a variety of special programs, students can focus on the basics while developing their individual talents for the future. As an active community, Ridgefield also supports its many school teams and organizations. Ridgefield High School supports 50 teams, for both boys and girls, that compete throughout Fairfield County. Ridgefield schools offer a number of special services: guidance counseling; complete special education classes, from preschool to high school, for those who are communicatively and physically disabled; and flexible teaching arrangements for ill or physically handicapped students at school or at home. For more severely handicapped children and adults, the State of Connecticut pays tuition at DATHAR, the Danbury Rehabilitation Institute, and other appropriate facilities nationwide. The town also provides school bus transportation and a hot lunch program. Ridgefield offers a number of nearby options for college students: the University of Connecticut, Stamford branch; Sacred Heart and Bridgeport University, Danbury campus: Fairfield University; and Norwalk Community College. Government
Town government is administered by the elected three-member Board of Selectmen, headed by the First Selectman. A number of other boards and commissions are appointed or elected, all comprising the autonomous town government. The Town Meeting form of government enables every registered voter to participate in all issues. Police and fire protection are provided by full-time paid professionals. The fire department's two stations supplement the professionals with a number of trained volunteers. A paramedic is on duty at all times and ambulance transportation is a municipal service. Patients in need of emergency care have their choice of either Danbury or Norwalk Hospital. Both are nearby and provide complete emergency care. Ridgefield Community Center
One of Ridgefield's most valuable resources is its historic Community Center. The purpose of the Center is to stimulate and maintain cultural, educational, recreational , and philanthropic activities for the benefit of the town. Built in 1896 by Phineas C. Lounsbury, a former Governor of Connecticut, the stately mansion on Main Street was officially opened as the Ridgefield Community Center in 1954. The Center sponsors many activities such as the annual Antiques Fair, Plantation Brunch, and Christmas Tree Festival. Community Involvement Over sixty clubs, organizations, and societies enlist the resources of Ridgefield residents in helping others and enhancing the quality of life in the town. Services
From beautiful Ballard park in the center of town to the Ridgefield Library, residents of all ages can participate and enjoy Ridgefield's many community offerings. The Library is open seven days a week and offers extensive collection of literature, periodicals, reference materials, and children'' books. The library also offers Dialog on line searching, available for the most current, complete information on any topic. The library's Charles Dayton Program Room hosts lectures, art exhibits, and films of interest to the community. Town parks, playgrounds, and playing fields help to round out theis vibrant community. Most are open throughout the year and are impeccable maintaineed by the town. Places of Worship
From the beginning of Ridgefield's rich history, churches have played a key role. In fact, the oldest church in continuous use is the Ridgebury Congregational Church, built in 1760. Today, many houses of worship stand as a testament to the rights for which Ridgefield residents fought in the American Revolution: Temple Shearith Israel History
Ridgefild's history began in 1708 when five men from Norwalk, Connecticut purchased 20,000 acres of land from the Ramapoo Indians and called it Ridgefield. Thirty -five families joined the first five men, making their homes along Main Street. In 1777, the Battle of Ridgefield was fought between local citizens and British and Hessian troops proceeding toward Long Island Sound via Ridgefield. Aided by General Wooster and Benedict Arnold, Ridgefield residents did their best to defend themselves but the British outnumbered and defeated them. Evidence of this historic Revolutionary War battle can still be seen throughout the town today. Ridgefield remained a farming village after the Civil War and eventually evolved into a resort community for the wealthy from New York City. Irish and Italian immigrants were hired to work on the estates as gardeners and estate managers. Their descendants became leaders in local affairs and businesses, and today many of them continue to comprise the diverse community that is Ridgefield. Among the town's most famous and important historic buildings is the Keeler Tavern. Built in 1732, the building was purchased by Timothy Keeler in 1769 and converted into a tavern in 1772. The location of the tavern, on a direct route from New York to Boston, made it a popular resting point for travelers. The Keeler Tavern was also a busy spot for conducting business, socializing, and local politics. In 1966, a group of Ridgefrield citizens purchased the property and formed the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society. As much as possible, the Society returned the rooms of the house to the use they served during the first years of the Tavern's operation. The Society offers a variety of programs of educational, social, and cultural nature. Location
Ridgefield encompasses 35 square miles situated on the border of Westchester County, New York and is only 60 miles north of New York City. Conveniently located near a number of the area's important business hubs, Ridgefield is also close to major roadways such as I-84, I-684 and Route 7. The community of Ridgefield combines all of the best of New England country living with many of the exciting dynamics of nearby city life. Whatever you're looking for- restaurants, museums, shopping, theater, antiques, music- can be found in Ridgefield or just a short drive or train ride away. Request my Free Ridgefield Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Ridgefield, Connecticut area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out... 
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||
