News
The trail won a Land Development and Planning Award in the Open Space category by the Somerset County Planning Board. All of those who had a role in this honor should be proud of their contribution.
The thirteen Eagle Scouts, fourteen members of the Washington Valley Trail Alliance, Junior Girl Scout Troop 614, Junior Girl Scout Troop 182, Boy Scout Troop 88, Cub Scout Den 8, and Kevin Trimarchi of Rutgers Prep, were all recognized by The Bridgewater Township Council for their contributions in 2001 & 2002.
We are pleased to report that NJIT has designed a new bridge as their Senior Design Project in the Spring semester. The site is located westerly from Patrick's Bridges. The class competed for the best design. They are now working to finalize a timber frame design. The class will contended with real world problems and got practical experience. (volunteers are welcome, call Chip Mills @ 908-725-6300 ext. 225 if interested)
Please be aware that motorized vehicles used primarily for recreation are prohibited by Township Code 205.
2004 COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION
Ranna Bansel, Troop 88, organized an evening of stargazing held in November and built a star finder.
Stephan "Stefan" Cizmar, Troop 154, installed additional trail markers and tree markers. The graphics for the tree signs were done by Jack Lyons.
Kenny Holderied ,Troop 154, built a short 6x6 bridge over the roadside ditch, a bench near Mount Vernon Road, and a twenty foot bridge over a soft area near Johns Bridge.
Gus Gatto, Troop 154, extended Carter Roehl's boardwalk to the east, completing our longest run of boardwalk.
J.D. Koblan, Troop 154, completed an extensive volume documenting old cemeteries all over the Township, it can be seen at the Somerset County, Bridgewater Township Library.
Billy Lawler, Troop 46, cleared over one hundred twenty five multiflora rose bushes from the trail between John's Bridges and regraded the edges to protect the trail from erosion.
Chris O'Brien, Troop 84, spread gravel in the area between Mount Vernon Road and Kenny Holderied's bridge.
ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION
None for now
PENDING CONSTRUCTION
David Anderson, Troop 46, will be spreading stone near Tom's Bridge and Pete's Big Bridge.
Eric Bodge, Troop 154, will be cleaning up three ponds and installing benches next Spring.
Brian Chesboro, will be augmenting the trail between Mount Vernon Roan and Tom's Bridge.
Casey Colgan, will be installing a gate to prevent cars from using the gravel section of trail west of Tullo Road and building a bridge to the east.
Cub Scout Den 8, will be investigating bird nests under the larger bridges and adding nest shelves.
James Fabregas, Troop 154, will be installing a sundial & signage for the flying disk golf course.
Girl Scout Troop 774 (Cadet), will install new blue bird boxes near Tullo Road.
Amy Jenne will be weather sealing the boardwalks & bridges between Crim School and Mount Vernon Road. She will also be doing some general clean up including cutting back some the the brush. Amy is the sister of Eagle Scout David Jenne. This work will be done in the spring of 2004.
Scott Shliferstein, Troop 154, will be opening a section of trail to the west of the NJIT Bridge site and will be installing 68 feet of boardwalk and a twenty foot bridge. Scott is the brother of Eagle Scout Jim Shliferstein.
Washington Valley Trail Alliance will continue improvements near Alliance Bridge with a section of gravel held in place with logs when the NJIT Bridge is completed next summer.
Brendan White, Troop 489, will be removing old tires and silt fence
NEW SIGHTINGS
We have received our first report a coyote being seen. Droppings have been found for several years, but this is the first time the animal itself was seen.
WHAT WE NEED
We would like to add a page of links to the websites of: local boy and girl scout troops, mountain bike, hiking, and bird watching groups. Anyone with the URL's for sites you want listed should contact us by email.
Does anyone have old photos of Washington Valley, Martinsville, or Sunset Lake that they would like to share? We are looking to add some to the Township website.