[9] Park Ridge was created as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 15, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.

This wooden artifact was made in Park Ridge by the Campbell Brothers who invented a way to drill through long pieces of hair pipe shells so that they could be strung and worn as breast plates by the Plains Indians, among others.

Needing water for the operation, the industrious brothers leased a woolen mill that stood on the Pascack Brook.

In the early 19th century, John Jacob Astor purchased wampum from the Campbells to trade with the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest whose beaver pelts he turned into men's hats.

It is bordered by the Bergen County municipalities of Hillsdale, Montvale, River Vale and Woodcliff Lake.

[28][29][30] Although no major highways run through the borough, it is serviced by the Garden State Parkway at exits 168, 171 and 172 in Washington Township, Woodcliff Lake and Montvale, respectively.

[36][37] The Hertz Corporation, a car rental company, had been headquartered in Park Ridge and was the borough's largest single taxpayer.

On May 7, 2013, Hertz announced that the firm was moving their corporate HQ to Estero, Florida, and would keep certain operations in Park Ridge.

[43][44][45] As of 2023[update], the mayor of the Borough of Park Ridge is Democrat Keith Misciagna, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023.

[2][46][47][48][49][50][51] In May 2017, the council selected Keith Misciagna to fill the vacant mayoral seat, following the resignation of Terry Maguire the previous month in the face of criticism of the way he had dealt with suits over affordable housing in the borough.

[52] In February 2016, the borough council selected Donna Szot from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had become vacant following the resignation of Ryan Cangialosi the previous month.

As of 2025[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[62] Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[63] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[64] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[65] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[66] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[67] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2027)[68] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2027).

[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76] Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[77][78] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2027)[79][80] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

[109] Athletic programs at the high school include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, track and tennis.

It is well known and posted as Kinderkamack Road, which was a trail used by the Lenape Native Americans, whose name signified that it was a place (the suffix "ack") where ceremonial dances or prayers ("kintekaye") were made.

Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.

[125] Rockland Coaches provides service on the 11T/11AT and the 47 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

[126][127] PKRG-TV, the public-access television cable TV station in Park Ridge, has produced and documented many shows over its history.

Rolf Wahl, a borough resident, provided most of the guidance, technical knowledge and foresight for the station.

The studio also hosted a series of shows entitled Behind The Badge which provided residents with an insight into the way the police department works.

[129] Noted residents of the development have included President Richard M. Nixon and his wife, Pat Nixon; Raymond V. Gilmartin, current Microsoft board member; and Tom Coughlin, former coach of the New York Giants and Joe Valenza, New York Yankees Fantasy Camp Hall of Fame Inductee and Founder of Virtue Risk Partners.

The Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps provides EMS service to Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake and Montvale.