Somerset County Buys Small Plot To Grow Raritan River Greenway
For just $7,500, Somerset County added a quarter-acre wooded patch to its Raritan River holdings in Bridgewater Township.
Somerset County has negotiated the acquisition of an additional 0.23 acres of vacant, wooded land along the Raritan River in Bridgewater Township, expanding the County’s Raritan River Greenway.
Image Courtesy Somerset CountyFor just $7,500, Somerset County added a quarter-acre wooded patch to its Raritan River holdings in Bridgewater Township. After fees, the total cost will hit $10,000.
This small but vital addition links to the Raritan River Greenway: a winding park that stretches from the meeting point of the North and South Branches to where Middlesex County starts. The green strip cuts through seven towns: Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Somerville, Raritan, Manville, Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook.
Over 10 years, the county's Open Space program has steadily grown, bringing in 22 fresh acres. Duke Island Park stands as the crown jewel at 351 acres, part of the greenway's sprawling 842-acre network.
This smart land grab serves multiple purposes. It blocks construction in flood-risk zones while safeguarding vital water sources beneath the ground. Plus, it gives locals more spots to walk, bike, and soak in nature without changing the area's character.
The county isn't done yet. Officials have marked about 20 more acres nearby for possible purchase, which would make the protected riverbank stretch even wider.
As a key piece of Somerset's future plans, the greenway links various parks into one flowing system. The county's parks have won praise for their smart design and usefulness.
This latest buy fits the county's pattern of protecting wild spaces. Such moves help manage growth and save money through careful planning: a win for both nature and taxpayers.
