2 New Trails, Pickleball And Basketball Courts Proposed At Camp Cromwell In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Restoration efforts for the 100-acre Camp Cromwell property off Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater are beginning to ramp up.

Deputy Township Administrator Scott Stephens presented an update to the Township Council at the July 24 meeting, outlining where the property stands currently and plans to bond $1.267 million to begin the next phase of improvements.

"There has been a lot of public interest in this site and what's going to be going on with it. The excitement about being able to finally discuss it and tell people what’s going on with what I think is going to be the next big destination that really highlights Bridgewater’s place on the map," said Stephens.

History of the Property

The property was previously owned by the Boys Club of New York and served as their summer camp facility since 1985. It wasn't until 2017 that the Boys Club decided to sell the property.

In an effort to maintain the property for recreational purposes, Bridgewater decided to purchase it. They used $1.5 million in Open Space funds and $6.5 million of Somerset County assistance.

The Boys Club stopped maintaining the property several years before the sale and it required a lot of restoration work.

In 2020, the Township spent $600,000 to make it safe for public use. They removed several concrete swimming pools, equipment, dilapidated structures, dead trees, and reduced impervious square footage by 48,000.

Four major structures remain, including a welcome center, a performing arts center with a stage, a dining banquet hall, and an indoor multipurpose athletic facility.

"The buildings are sound structurally, but all of them are in various stages of disrepair," said Stephens. "None of them are worth taking down. There are some great buildings and there are some great opportunities there so we want to make sure we are holding onto them."

In 2021, the Township applied for trail funding, and construction of two trails began. One multi-use trail made up of packed stone, which is easy to walk on or easy to roll a stroller, was created.

A mountain bike trail that is a little more natural, with foot bridges, was also created with the help of the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association.

"We were able to connect these trails to existing systems, most notably the Middlebrook trail.
Efforts were made to make sure this is on continuous system," said Stephens.

In July 2023, Congressman Tom Jean Jr. requested $4 million as part of the Community Project Funding. It was then accepted by the Township in 2024. Read More: Bridgewater Gets $4M To Revitalize Camp Cromwell

This past June, the Township signed an agreement with the Department of Housing & Urban Development, which will essentially disperse the $4 million funds to the Township after Bridgewater spends it and provides receipts.

"Now we have $4 million. The catch is that they don't just give you a check. This is all reimbursable money. We have to spend some money. We have to provide them all of the wonderful documentation to prove it went to what we said it would go to and in which case they will then give us money to replenish our budget," said Stephens.

"But we have approval to move forward, which is the big thing. We want to look toward the future what ultimately the 100 acres of property that exists up there can be," said Stephens.

$1.2M Bond - Future Plans

The Township is looking at introducing an ordinance for a $1.267 million bond at its Aug. 7 meeting to fund a small phase of the project and get a portion of the property open for residents to begin using it.

A proposed plan is to restore the Welcome Center with possibly a museum inside showcasing Bridgewater's rich history.

Additionally, plans are to restore the athletic facility, which has a number of basketball courts.

"There is plenty of space that is flat, paved, ready to go, could easily accommodate at least four, probably more, pickleball courts," said Stephens.

This is also the same area where residents can access the two trailheads.

Plumbing and electricity are already available underneath the grandstands at the athletic facility, which is where the Township is proposing bathrooms, similar to what is at KidStreet.

The Township would also add a barn for the Department of Public Works to keep equipment and maintain the property. They are also proposing some fitness stations along the multi-use trail.

"We are looking at this as a phased approach. First of all, we are being careful we’re not biting off more than we can chew, but programmatically and financially, we have to front this money before getting it back. So finding $4million to front is obviously not the easiest thing to do," said Stephens. "We are working with finance to make sure we are not overextending the township or getting us into any trouble."

The Township has 10 years to spend the $4 million allotted to them, said Stephens.

"This is the best approach, the quickest approach to get this facility ready, get it ready and get residents enjoying what is really a diamond in the rough up there at the moment," said Stephens.

Mayor Matthew Moench said that the Township is approaching the property as what are projects that can get "the most bang for the buck" and the quickest way to get residents enjoying the property.

Moench said the Township is also looking at future phases to utilize the creative arts building and possible public-private partnerships.

"We are excited to get this moving… we have the money on paper, but we need to spend it and then get reimbursed. In order to do that, what I am proposing is a bond ordinance that would allow us to do the $1.3 million now, and we get reimbursed," said Moench. "It's a great piece of property, we want people to enjoy it."

Resident Cathy Franco questioned the timeline on when residents could possibly begin using the property.

Moench said that if the ordinance is introduced at the Aug. 7 meeting and then approved at the Aug. 21 meeting then they could begin engineering work in the fall. Then go out to bid in early January or February for construction to commence in the Spring.

"Fall 2026, my hope is earlier," said Moench. "I hope late spring of next year to have it open for the public as the weather turns and people want to be outside."

Council President Howard Norgalis agreed that "I think the Township in total looks forward to this project moving forward at some point."

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