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47-638: The only partially developed park has a western and eastern section separated by the Bound Brook Gap with the Chimney Rock Road that connects Bound Brook with Martinsville. The terrain is rocky and mountainous and covered with pine and hemlock. At the center of the western section of the park is the 21-acre (85,000 m) Washington Valley Reservoir (formerly known as the Bound Brook/Elizabeth Reservoir ), which

94-668: A town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1869, within portions of Bridgewater Township . On February 11, 1891, it was reincorporated as a borough, based on the results of a referendum held on the previous day. The area was first settled in 1681 and a community was established near the Bound Brook stream of the same name, which flows into the Raritan River via the Green Brook on

141-705: A countywide basis are: Clerk Steve Peter ( D , Somerville , 2027), Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025) and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025) As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,162 registered voters in Bound Brook, of which 1,149 (27.6% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats , 955 (22.9% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 2,050 (49.3% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens . Among

188-468: A defeat for the Continental Army , who were routed by about 4,000 troops under British command. On April 22, 1921, over 100 people were injured in Bound Brook, and one died, when a cloud of phosgene gas began spreading over the city in the early morning hours, the result of a faulty valve of a storage tank at a paint factory in town. The intervention of four people stopped further escape of

235-446: A female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.21. 21.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

282-597: A school facility in South Plainfield . In 2018, Stephen Kovacs founded and thereafter owned Kaprica United Fencing Academy in Bound Brook, where he was head coach. Kovacs was accused in 2021 by detectives of allegedly sexually assaulting two teenage fencing students multiple times in 2020 and 2021; he died in Somerset County Jail in January 2022. As of May 2010 , the borough had

329-596: A staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members. As of 2024 , Somerset County's County Commissioners are: Director Shanel Robinson ( D , Franklin Township , 2024), Melonie Marano (D, Green Brook Township , 2025), Paul Drake (D, Hillsborough Township , 2026), Douglas Singleterry (D, North Plainfield , 2026) and Deputy Director Sara Sooy (D, Bernards Township , 2024). Constitutional officers, elected on

376-413: A staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Bound Brook is a " weak mayor / strong council" government, in which council members act as the legislative body, with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances, subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of

423-525: A total of 25.37 miles (40.83 km) of roadways, of which 20.56 miles (33.09 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.73 miles (4.39 km) by Somerset County and 2.08 miles (3.35 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation . Route 28 travels east–west through the center of Bound Brook, while U.S. Route 22 clips the northern portion of the borough. County Routes 525 , 527 , 533 also pass through. Interstate 287

470-483: A turnout of 74.7% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County). In the 2004 presidential election , Democrat John Kerry received 1,474 votes (49.6% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,440 votes (48.5% vs. 51.5%) and other candidates with 25 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 2,970 ballots cast by the borough's 3,882 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.5% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county). In

517-488: A wooden one built in 1767. Later, in 1771, an act was passed that provided for the maintenance of the bridge as the Queen's Bridge. Over a hundred years later, a class steel pipe truss bridge was built at the site in 1875 to replace the previous one. The current bridge's span was built in 1984. 40°33′35″N 74°31′40″W  /  40.5596°N 74.5278°W  / 40.5596; -74.5278 This article about

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564-467: Is a borough in Somerset County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey , located along the Raritan River . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 11,988, an increase of 1,586 (+15.2%) from the 2010 census count of 10,402, which in turn reflected an increase of 247 (+2.4%) from the 10,155 counted in the 2000 census , . Bound Brook was originally incorporated as

611-526: Is accessible to the west via Route 28 in bordering Bridgewater Township. The borough is served by the Bound Brook train station , which offers NJ Transit service on the Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn Station . The historic station building on the north side of the tracks is located at 350 E. Main Street and was constructed in 1913. It is now a restaurant; the other station building on

658-627: The 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 64.5% of the vote (1,092 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.7% (570 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (30 votes), among the 1,723 ballots cast by the borough's 4,485 registered voters (31 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.4%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 1,074 votes (52.2% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 749 votes (36.4% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 172 votes (8.4% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 32 votes (1.6% vs. 0.7%), among

705-566: The 2024-2025 session , the 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Doug Steinhardt ( R , Lopatcong Township ) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown ) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township ). Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners , whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on

752-402: The Raritan River that connects South Bound Brook and Bound Brook , both of which are in Somerset County , New Jersey . The bridge carries South Main Street across the river. The earliest Queen's Bridge was completed in 1731, ordered by an act of the colonial government in 1728. It was likely named after Queen Caroline , wife of King George II . Another early bridge at this site was

799-607: The borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on

846-428: The 2,056 ballots cast by the borough's 4,138 registered voters, yielding a 49.7% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county). The Bound Brook School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade . As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 1,975 students and 172.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1. Schools in

893-426: The 2,785 ballots cast by the borough's 4,399 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 63.3%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 1,593 votes (53.5% vs. 52.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,312 votes (44.0% vs. 46.1%) and other candidates with 45 votes (1.5% vs. 1.1%), among the 2,979 ballots cast by the borough's 3,990 registered voters, for

940-736: The Borough of Bound Brook hosts a nationally competitive bicycle race, the Bound Brook Cycling Classic, that on the same weekend, precedes the neighboring final purse contest, as part of the three-day Tour of Somerville , held annually on Memorial Day Weekend . The contest in Somerville, founded in 1940 by Fred “Pop” Kugler, is the oldest professionally competitive race in the United States. The lower downtown area of Bound Brook has been associated with flooding of

987-630: The Raritan River. In September 1999, many structures near the commercial zone were damaged or destroyed by record Raritan floods resulting from Hurricane Floyd . This disaster reinvigorated a long-planned effort called the Green Brook Flood Control Project that would protect Bound Brook from up to a 150-year flooding event from the Raritan River and its tributaries, the Middle Brook and Green Brook that form

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1034-460: The Stavola group of companies. The most famous copper find was used to mold a small brass cannon later used at the siege of Yorktown. Calcite has also been mined from the nearby Chimney Rock Quarry. Many marble and granite companies continue to operate in this area . In 1886, William Haelig leased the land from copper miners to establish his Chimney Rock Quarry. Before 1900, stone was carried out of

1081-566: The Way in addition to the existing engineering academy program. There was an Interparochial Catholic School in the borough, Holy Family Academy (for Pre-K to grade 8) serving the local and surrounding communities with an estimated enrollment of 150 prior to closure. The school was one of three in the area closed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen at the end of the 2010–2011 school year, with plans to feed remaining students to

1128-404: The borough was 82.57% White , 2.52% African American , 0.31% Native American , 2.88% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 8.67% from other races , and 2.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.87% of the population. There were 3,615 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 11.9% had

1175-404: The borough's 2010 Census population, 40.0% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) of the total population were registered to vote, including 51.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide). In the 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 57.9% of the vote (1,598 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 40.6% (1,120 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (44 votes), among

1222-593: The borough. Bound Brook is located in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D , Ewing Township ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For

1269-472: The borough. The population density was 6,269.6 per square mile (2,420.7/km ). There were 3,816 housing units at an average density of 2,300.0 per square mile (888.0/km ). The racial makeup was 69.73% (7,253) White , 5.74% (597) Black or African American , 0.54% (56) Native American , 2.57% (267) Asian , 0.05% (5) Pacific Islander , 17.48% (1,818) from other races , and 3.90% (406) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48.66% (5,062) of

1316-609: The council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. As of 2024 , the mayor of Bound Brook is Democrat Dominic Longo, whose term expires December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Kendall Lopez ( D , 2025), Linda Brnicevic (R, 2025), Shawn Guerra (D, 2026), David Morris (R, 2024; appointed to fill an unexpired term), Vinnie Petti (D, 2024) and Glen Rossi (R, 2026). David Morris

1363-550: The district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are LaMonte-Annex Elementary School with 195 students in grades PreK-Kindergarten Lafayette Elementary School with 266 students in grades 1-2, Smalley Elementary School with 545 students in grades 3-6, Community Middle School with 283 students in grades 7-8 and Bound Brook High School with 652 students in grades 9-12. Students from South Bound Brook, New Jersey , attend

1410-596: The district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the South Bound Brook School District . At the start of the 2011–12 school year, the school joined the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program , which allows students from other area communities to attend the Bound Brook schools. In the 2011–2012 school year, the high school started a biomedical program from Project Lead

1457-573: The eastern side of the borough. The brook, which was mentioned as a boundary in a Native American deed, provides the source of the borough's name. A wooden bridge over the Raritan River was erected as early as 1761 and named Queen's Bridge in 1767. Later, it became a covered bridge . During the American Revolutionary War , the bridge was used repeatedly by both sides including during the Battle of Bound Brook in 1777. In 1875,

Washington Valley Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1504-450: The first Watchung mountain ridge is Chimney Rock Hawk Watch. In the fall, the area is visited by birdwatchers to observe the annual southward migration of raptors and other birds. In the 2008 season, they recorded 12,275 sightings, of these over 10,000 were hawks including 7,836 broad-winged hawks, 1,745 sharp-shinned hawks. Also there were 140 bald eagle and 17 golden eagle sightings. Hawk watching lasts from early September into November,

1551-400: The highest Costa Rican percentage of any municipality in the United States (population 500+), with 14.7% of residents in the 2000 Census reporting that they were of Costa Rican birth. The borough has developed a series of trails for bicyclists and pedestrians that runs along the Raritan River, with a mix of paved and dirt trails providing access to residents. Bound Brook is governed under

1598-536: The highest Costa Rican percentages of any municipality in the United States and third-highest in New Jersey (population 500+), with 3.4% of residents in the 2010 Census reporting that they were of Costa Rican birth. At the 2000 United States census there were 10,155 people, 3,615 households and 2,461 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,953.7 inhabitants per square mile (2,298.7/km ). There were 3,802 housing units at an average density of 2,229.0 per square mile (860.6/km ). The racial makeup of

1645-705: The phosgene, which had been used in concentrated form as a chemical weapon during World War I . According to the United States Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 1.70 square miles (4.39 km ), including 1.66 square miles (4.30 km ) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km ) of water (2.00%). The borough borders the municipalities of Bridgewater Township and South Bound Brook in Somerset County; and Middlesex Borough in Middlesex County . Since

1692-434: The population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 109.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 108.4 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income

1739-418: The population. Of the 3,586 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18; 45.1% were married couples living together; 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.8% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.28. 22.6% of

1786-600: The quarry to the railroad in Bound Brook by horse-drawn wagons. Haelig persuaded the Central Railroad of New Jersey to lay a spur to the stone pit. Trap rock quarrying was more profitable than mining, and the quarry is still active. The reservoirs have no boat access and are of interest to anglers . Species that can be caught include largemouth bass , smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The park contains numerous trails that are used by hikers and mountain bikers. At an outcropping of

1833-514: The second half of September being the peak time. To some degree, the eastern section of the park covers a military fortification that was used by the Continental Army near the site of the 1777-78 Middlebrook encampment . Remnants can be found in the shape of earth walls. A look-out point is preserved that was used to observe movements of the British Army in the plains towards New Brunswick . Bound Brook, New Jersey Bound Brook

1880-831: The south side is now privately owned. A pedestrian tunnel connects the south and north sides of the tracks. There are also Conrail tracks going past the station, used for freight trains to and from Newark. NJ Transit offers bus service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 114 and 117 routes, along with local service to Newark on the 65 and 66 routes. Somerset County offers DASH, CAT, and SCOOT routes, providing service to destinations including Franklin Township , New Brunswick , Raritan , Manville and Hillsborough Township , as well as Bridgewater Commons and Raritan Valley Community College . Every year,

1927-408: The southern portion of the borough (including the downtown area) is a low-lying natural flood plain of the Raritan River, Bound Brook has suffered occasional severe flooding after heavy rain. Extensive flood control measures were put into place during 1999–2015 to provide protection from 150-year floods. The 2010 United States census counted 10,402 people, 3,586 households, and 2,435 families in

Washington Valley Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1974-483: The western and eastern boundaries of the town. During 1999–2015, the United States Army Corps of Engineers implemented extensive flood control measures to provide protection from future floods, which eliminated flood insurance requirements for a majority of Bound Brook and spurred revitalization of the downtown area. Queen%27s Bridge (New Jersey) The Queen's Bridge is a bridge spanning

2021-542: The wooden bridge was replaced by a steel pipe truss bridge . More than 100 years later, that bridge was itself replaced by a steel girder bridge in 1984, still using the old pillars. The bridge was renovated and repaved in 2007. The Battle of Bound Brook , one of the battles in the New York and New Jersey campaign during the American Revolutionary War, occurred on April 13, 1777, and resulted in

2068-440: Was $ 67,056 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 6,450) and the median family income was $ 68,315 (+/− $ 7,489). Males had a median income of $ 33,462 (+/− $ 4,681) versus $ 35,261 (+/− $ 7,245) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 25,015 (+/− $ 2,011). About 3.4% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over. The borough had one of

2115-503: Was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.7 males. The median household income was $ 46,858 and the median family income was $ 51,346. Males had a median income of $ 32,226 versus $ 28,192 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 22,395. About 6.9% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. The borough had

2162-525: Was appointed in January 2024 to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that became vacant when Dominic Longo took office as mayor. In September 2022, the borough council selected David Morris from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the mayoral seat expiring in December 2023 that became vacant after the resignation of Robert P. Fazen, who was moving out of

2209-678: Was created in 1920 when the western branch of the Middle Brook was dammed. The eastern section of the park has the much smaller East Branch Reservoir and the Buttermilk Falls of the eastern branch of the Middle Brook. Adjacent to the park is the Chimney Rock Quarry built atop the old Chimney Rock Copper Mine a.k.a. Bound Brook Quarry or Washington Mine. Copper mines over 165 feet (50 m) deep exist and active mining continues to this day as owned and operated by

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