No trail closures, for now.
The park was in jeopardy of closing after continued reports of illegal swimming, alcohol and drug possession, urination, and more.
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BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The fate of Washington Valley Park is saved for now as officials have come to an agreement to keep trail access open by adding even more of a police presence.
The Somerset County Park Commission had planned on holding a meeting on Wednesday to restrict trail access at the park in Bridgewater Township due to an increase in illegal behavior. However, Bridgewater Township officials and the Bridgewater Police met with the commission to come to an agreement to keep the park open.
"I stand with the many concerned residents of Bridgewater and Somerset County who should not have their park access diminished because some people choose not to follow the rules. All other options must be exhausted," Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench said.
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The Somerset County Sheriff's Office will be deployed in the parks to increase enforcement and act as a deterrent to bad actors.
The increase in illegal activity is linked to the coronavirus pandemic as more locals are limiting travel and are remaining home for the summer.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Township has noticed a drastic increase in the parks use which has led to parking issues on the surrounding Township roads and an uptick of criminal behavior within the park itself. The Township and the Police Department have been working diligently to allay the parking concerns by way of several measures but most notably, increased enforcement," Moench said.
Illegal activity includes swimming in waterways, jumping off cliffs, and a tower located in the reservoir, alcohol possession, drug possession, littering, campfires, urinating and defecating, parking illegally, and trespassing on private property.
On June 22, tragedy struck the park when Michael Woskey, 37, of Somerville, drowned at the reservoir after jumping off one of the cliffs at Washington Valley Park. Following the drowning, Bridgewater Police along with the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and the Somerset County Park Rangers have since increased enforcement.
Read More: Drowning Victim Found, Identified At Bridgewater Reservoir
However, the illegal activity has continued months later prompting park officials to close the park.
Police have issued the following ordinance violations for swimming, trespassing, and other prohibited activity within the parks from the months of June and July.
- June: 58 Summonses for Various Ordinance Violations
- July: 34 Summonses for Various Ordinance Violations
And the following summonses for parking violations along Chimney Rock Road, Gilbride Road, and Newmans Lane, which are all posted No Parking:
- June: 85 Parking Summonses
- July: 85 Parking Summonses
When the commission announced it would restrict trail access, a
petition was started to keep the park open by locals who access the park for bike riding, hiking, and fishing. The
petition has more than 2,600 signatures as of Tuesday.
"I think punishing the thousands of country residents who utilize the park's wonderful resources for hiking, biking, dog walking, and family exercise because of the inappropriate actions of a few is shortsighted and simply wrong. Enforcing the rules would severely limit the problem if not eliminating it while bringing much-needed revenue to the county. All of this is particularly magnified as a result of COVID-19 with so many of us working out of our homes and in need of recreation now more than ever," said Bridgewater resident Evan Lerner, who frequents the park 3 to 4 times a week to walk his dog.
The park will remain open for now and police enforcement will continue.
This Somerset County Park is a 720-acre site featuring a 21-acre reservoir, scenic waterfalls, more than seven miles of trails for hikers and bikers, and a hawk watch that is enjoyed by thousands of
visitors each year.
"This summer has been different than in years past. We have seen illegal swimming and trespassing, illegal drinking, and dumping of garbage and empty beer and liquor bottles. Last month a 37-year old man tragically lost his life when he drowned after jumping into the reservoir. One of the Park Commission's responsibilities is to keep our parks clean and safe for the law-abiding visitors, and we take that responsibility seriously," according to Somerset County Park Commission Director-Secretary GeoffreySoriano.
Sheriff's Officers began patrolled Washington Valley Park this past weekend, and officers will continue to patrol the park for the foreseeable future. Sheriff's
Officers are prepared to issue summons-complaints for violations including trespass, swimming, possession of alcohol, and illegal parking.
As a result of these enforcement efforts, the Park Commission has suspended its consideration of the proposal to designate restricted areas in Washington Valley Park. As such, the continuation of emergency meeting has been canceled by the Park Commission. The Commission will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to increase enforcement of rules and local laws in this park.
The Somerset County Park Commission encourages all who visit Somerset County parks to visit safely and respect and preserve their natural beauty by:
- Observing "No Trespassing" and "No Swimming" signs and staying out of designated restricted or dangerous areas;
- Carrying out whatever may have been carried in;
- Utilizing re-usable water bottles;
- Ensuring that alcoholic beverages, grills, and glass bottles remain at home and not in the parks.
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Illegal Behavior Could Shut Washington Valley Park In Bridgewater
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