The Somerset County Park
Commission has announced that it is working closely with the Bridgewater Police
Department and the Somerset County Sherriff’s Office to limit vandalism,
illegal alcohol consumption and trespassing at Washington Valley Park. 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.
According to Somerset County
Park Commission Director-Secretary Geoffrey Soriano, “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.”
During the course of the
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the Commission’s Park Rangers have witnessed a
myriad of violations—well above and beyond the number typically
experienced—within the confines of Washington Valley Park and predominantly in
or in the immediate vicinity of the waterways and bodies of water that comprise
the reservoir and the East and West Branches of Middle Brook. It has never been intended that Washington
Valley Park would to be utilized as a “destination point” for “beach-goers” to
engage in activities that are in direct violation of the Park Commission’s rules
and regulations. According to Soriano, “illegal activities are interfering with
the legal enjoyment of the park”.
As a result and on a nearly
daily basis, Park Rangers have had to call upon officers from the Bridgewater
Township Police Department to undertake enforcement efforts to properly address
the violations. These enforcement
efforts, the need to clean piles of trash left behind, the resulting
degradation of Washington Valley Park, and the adverse impacts to the
neighboring property owners (noise pollution, potential forest fires, instances
of trespass, and continued harassment) caused the Park Commission to consider
taking action to authorize the designation of certain areas in Washington
Valley Park to be restricted from public access. At an August 7, 2020 emergency meeting of the
Park Commission, a plan was developed to enlist the services of the Somerset
County Sheriff’s Office to initiate a focused enforcement effort. The August 7th meeting was essentially
adjourned and carried to Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Sheriff’s Officers 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 Park Commission wishes to
express its great gratitude to Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo and the
Sheriff’s Officers of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office for their
enforcement initiative this past weekend as well as their future enforcement
efforts. In addition, the Commission
recognizes the valuable assistance supplied by Chief Paul Payne and officers
from the Bridgewater Township Police Department.
The Commission’s
Secretary-Director recognizes the many emails and telephone calls from valued
park patrons who rightfully utilize Washington Valley Park and who have
expressed genuine concern that access to this facility would be restricted.
The Park Commission is
committed to protecting all of its parks and facilities to ensure that those
individuals who use, enjoy, and respect them can continue to do so. With
continued assistance from local and county law enforcement, the Park Commission
will continue to welcome visitors who desire to avail themselves of these
really special places—especially during the instant pandemic.
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.
Information of Park Commission
programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by
calling 908-722-1200.
