Being part of the Bridgewater community is to be friends and neighbors who build a better life together! Throughout 2024 we did just that. From gathering for special events complete with fireworks and parades to running into each other at a park or business, we shared life together. We also accomplished some amazing things as a Town these last twelve months, so here at the turning of the year we want to take a moment to revisit a few that stand out.
Riverwalk: This past spring, we completed the second phase of the Roscoe Burgess Riverwalk. The new section carries the path through Bridgeview Park, improving a portion of the fitness trail there. Along the slope of the riverbank, the path follows a switchback that ensures the path is accessible for all people. Now roughly 0.4 miles long, Riverwalk has seen increased use by both residents and visitors to Bridgewater.
We are also proud of the installation of the murals underneath the Main Street bridge. These works of art by students from local schools celebrate life on the North River and brighten up a less scenic portion of Riverwalk.
Of course, our work on Riverwalk is not yet done. We are currently designing a third phase that will connect Edgebriar Park to the Bridgewater College ball fields at Hatcher Drive, increasing the length to about 2/3 of a mile. This work will hopefully be completed in the 2025-26 fiscal year. We are also exploring options for connecting Riverwalk to islands in the river. We believe that Riverwalk is an asset to the Town, enabling us to connect with nature and one another as well as providing us a safe pedestrian/bike route across Main Street.
Milfoil Removal: As evidenced by our investments in Riverwalk, we recognize that the river is a major part of life and enjoyment here in Bridgewater. In recent years, however, invasive Eurasian milfoil has been just that and invaded the river, establishing itself firmly during the summer months. Not only is it unpleasant to look at but it also makes recreational activities such as kayaking and fishing notably less enjoyable. Additionally, it has a negative impact on the aquatic plant and animal life in the river. This summer, we implemented a plan to remove the milfoil by pulling and cutting as much as possible. While this obviously improved things in the short term, we are also hopeful that the milfoil will not come back as strong this year. Understanding how to control the milfoil going forward will take us some time and likely require additional steps, but we are pleased to have taken this first step into uncharted (and hopefully less weed-infested) waters.
Grove & College Parking Lot: Who doesn’t love a win-win? That’s exactly what the Grove & College Parking Lot is. The lot provides 24 additional parking spots for Sipe Center and the existing downtown businesses while also reducing the impact of stormwater runoff on the health of our river. The Town received a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust that provided some funding for the permeable paver parking lot. We appreciate CBT’s efforts to create a cleaner Chesapeake Bay and their financial support for this project.
To throw a third win into the mix, the lot will provide parking for the new Macado’s restaurant set to open in late summer and for increased traffic at the Old Town Hall next door. This spring, we will begin sharing the space at Old Town Hall with the Bridgewater Historical Society so that we can increase its hours of operation and bring you more experiences of Bridgewater’s history and culture. This new lot provides a foundation for the continued renewal of the downtown area in the new year and beyond.
River Roos: With the support of Farmers & Merchants Bank, we launched River Roos as a hyperlocal currency to support our Bridgewater businesses this fall. Our initial promotion of a 50% match sold out quickly, but things didn’t stop there. River Roos proved to be a popular gift for businesses and individuals to buy during the holiday season. As of year’s end, we have 17 businesses participating in the program, and we have had almost $17,000 of River Roos purchased. This money stays right here in our community as it is spent at these businesses. We are excited for what this means for our local establishments and look forward to more promotions in the new year to encourage even more customers to buy local!
We are proud of the things we as a community accomplished in 2024 and look forward to continuing to build a better life together in 2025!
