This week, residents of Bridgewater were stunned to discover that hundreds of mature trees have been cut down at Washington Valley Park near Vosseller Avenue — a beloved natural space owned by Somerset County.

According to the County’s plan, as presented to and approved by the Administration, only 34 trees were to be removed to relocate the park entrance and construct a visitor center. Yet, what is happening on the ground tells a very different story. Entire sections of forest are being cleared, and what was once described as a modest project has turned into what appears to be a massive, indiscriminate deforestation effort, destroying trees that may have stood for over a century.

This is heartbreaking to watch. What I believe is necessary to prevent further unnecessary loses is that the Township should file an emergent court application to temporarily halt all further tree removal until this project can be properly reviewed. If the County represented that 34 trees would be removed, but now hundreds are being destroyed, that is a drastic deviation that demands judicial intervention. Every day of delay means more irreversible loss. Once these trees are gone, they’re gone for generations — and the character of our community is permanently altered.

To the Somerset County Commissioners, I urge you: Pause this project immediately. Reassess the scope, the community impact, and explore mitigation options to preserve as many trees as possible. Large-scale clearing is not progress — it’s permanent damage to one of our most treasured natural resources.

As a Bridgewater Councilman since 2012, I’ve always believed in transparency and local engagement. Yet, like many residents, I learned of this situation only through social media and word of mouth. The lack of communication to our local governing body is deeply concerning.

Right now, Bridgewater residents are united in disbelief and frustration. We deserve answers — and swift, decisive action to protect what’s left of our park before it’s too late.