'Stand With Bridgewater,' Mayor Asks After Hundreds Of Trees Cut At Washington Valley Park

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township is asking locals to "Stand with Bridgewater" as they share their concerns to Somerset County over the removal of what they claim are hundreds of trees from Washington Valley Park.

Earlier this month, Bridgewater said more than 300 trees were cut down at Washington Valley Park, despite contract documents authorizing the removal of only 37 trees for the construction of an "access road" between Vosseller Avenue and the Hawk Watch/White Rock area of the park.

"As you may well know, Somerset County’s clear-cutting of hundreds of mature trees — far beyond what even their own plans specified — has caused serious environmental damage to Washington Valley Park and has significantly increased adverse flooding dangers for residents and businesses downstream," said Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench in a statement. "Despite Bridgewater’s repeated requests, the County has refused to release the documentation that would show what approvals (if any) they obtained prior to the destruction of our pristine forest."

Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench and Township officials will be attending the Commissioners' meeting at 20 Grove St., in Somerville, on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

"Please stand with me as we call for transparency, accountability, and answers in what has become known as Treegate — and as we continue our fight to protect Bridgewater’s open space," said Moench in a statement.

The Township filed a lawsuit on Oct. 16 and an injunction against Somerset County.

Additionally, Bridgewater filed a complaint and Order to Show Cause, seeking temporary restraints against Somerset County and the County's Park Commission to stop further construction. However, this was denied by Somerset County Superior Court Judge Haekyoung Suh on Oct. 19.

Following the denial, the Township launched a petition, which they will present to the Somerset County Commissioners on Tuesday.

"Though we cannot replace the trees they destroyed, we can, must and will demand accountability, transparency and redress from Somerset County," stated Moench.

The petition demands that Somerset County and the Somerset County Park Commission immediately:

1. Halt their ongoing destruction of the local environment
2. Organize an effort to repair the damage they've caused
3. Analyze the stormwater effects of what they've already done in a totally transparent way and
4. Release to the public all environmental documentation related to this project
5. Provide assurances that this will not occur in other County parks and open spaces

Somerset County told Patch that its long-standing policy is to refrain from commenting on issues connected with active litigation.

"However, due to misinformation being shared with residents, the County would like to clarify that Bridgewater was contacted in January 2025 with an overview of the project (see the letter here), and Bridgewater representatives additionally participated in the preconstruction meeting hosted in September 2025 (per their request)," according to Somerset County.

Previous Reporting:

• 'Animals Displaced Forever': Petition To Stop 'Destruction' At Washington Valley Park
• Judge Denies Bridgewater's Request To Stop Work At Washington Valley Park
• Bridgewater Sues Somerset County Claiming 300 Trees Cut Down At Washington Valley Park
• Hundreds Of Trees Chopped Down At Washington Valley Park, Bridgewater Says

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