County of Union, New Jersey

Union County residents looking for reliable guidance on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic can take part in three online programs created by the Rutgers University Department of Family and Community Health Sciences. The programs are offered through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, with support from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. 

“These programs will equip residents with simple, common sense tools for practicing wellness at home and at work,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support the Extension in its efforts to provide valuable, fact-based guidance to the public during this time.”

Participants will receive weekly messages that focus on health and wellness. By the end of each program residents will understand how eating nutritious foods can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, strategies for changing eating and exercise habits; and practical tips for adapting your lifestyle from the comforts of your home.

The first program, Healthy on the Job Self-care is a 12 week series focused on essential workers. This series is emailed and can be tailored for any group to have more or less weeks.

Get Moving, Get Healthy at Home is geared toward those who are at home. This series is available up to 24 weeks and may continue longer depending on the demand.

The Live Well-Stay Healthy program sends gentle wellness messages Wednesdays and Saturdays of each week. Participants can sign up for this program at any time through the Remind App or Remind.com with class code: @f3ccc46.  

Residents interested in these programs should contact the local Rutgers Cooperative Extension Union County FCHS educator Dr. Karen Ensle at kensle@njaes.rutgers.edu. For more information and other programs visit the  Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.   

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – With Union County parks open on a limited basis during the COVID-19 outbreak, visitors can follow specially marked trails to learn about champion trees, ancient geological features, and key moments in local history while observing social distance rules.

“Since the parks have re-opened, it has been encouraging to see visitors looking out for one another and practicing social distance, while reconnecting with nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Our specially marked trails provide an extra opportunity for visitors to learn more about unique features in Union County parks.”

In accordance with statewide COVID-19 prevention measures, Union County parks closed on April 8. They re-opened on May 2 for passive recreation only.

No group activities are permitted in Union County parks. Individual activities like walking and hiking are permitted. Visitors are required to stay at least six feet from others and give way when passing each other on trails and paved paths. Face masks are strongly recommended.

Bicycles are permitted only on paved paths; trail riding is strictly prohibited in all Union County parks.

For a list of specially marked trails in and around Union County Parks, along with nature guides and a list of all multi-use paths, visit the Department of Parks and Recreation online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation/paths-trails-greenways.

To find trees that stand out due to their size, age, species, historical significance and other factors, look for trees along walking paths that are tagged with small green signs. The tags were placed by volunteer members of the Union County Master Tree Stewards.

Tree trails are located in the following parks:

• Oak Ridge Park in Clark (trails starts near the east end of the parking lot)
• Briant Park in Summit
• Cedar Brook in Plainfield
• Echo Lake Park in Mountainside
• Echo Lake Extension (trail starts behind the Mountainside municipal building)
• Lenape Park (trail is located to the east along the Kenilworth dike)
• Meisel Park in Springfield
• Nomahegan Park in Cranford
• Rahway River Park in Rahway
• Warinanco Park in Elizabeth

Residents and visitors can also locate “champion” trees in and around County parks by visiting the State of New Jersey Big Tree conservation program online at state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests.

Union County provides nature conservation and educational programs throughout the year, and programming continues online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Activities and programs are available for all ages through the Trailside Nature and Science Center, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, and the Union County Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

Union County’s Falcon Cam livestream continues to provide an inside view of the peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth. Four eggs hatched in the nest between May 1 and May 4. Visit ucnj.org/falcon to see the free livestream and watch the chicks grow.

More details about social distance rules in Union County parks are available at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Press release from

Emergency Departments Open and Safe

 The New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) have produced a joint Public Service Announcement (PSA) targeting residents who may suffer a potential heart attack or stroke and might be reluctant to go to hospital Emergency Departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PSA, which features Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett, was made following reports that residents may be delaying needed health care that they require because of concerns of hospital safety and capacity amid coronavirus.

Hospitals report anecdotally that inpatient admissions are down anywhere from 20 to 40 percent compared with pre-COVID activity.

“Our hospitals have been safe havens for all who have walked in their doors for over a century,” Health Commissioner Persichilli said in the PSA. “So I urge you, do not delay going to your local emergency room if you are experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. I can assure you that are hospitals and emergency rooms are safe and waiting – waiting and ready to care for you.”

The PSA, will be promoted through a robust social media campaign and is also available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/aUDfZnI1WG4.

“Hospitals remain open throughout the COVID-19 emergency, with special precautions in place to protect patients,” said NJHA’s Bennett. “If you are experiencing a health emergency, please don’t delay in going to the ED or calling 911. Hospitals and their healthcare teams continue to care for all patients in a safe environment.”

Heart attack and stroke risks can vary by age, gender and heredity including race. Shared risk factors for heart attack and stroke can include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and heart disease.

Residents are reminded that signs of a stroke can include:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness or numbness
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Sudden confusion and trouble seeing

Signs of a heart attack can include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Pain or discomfort in arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

For more warning signs, visit nj.gov/health/fhs/chronic/heart-disease-stroke/

Effective Monday, May 4, the Union County Covid-19 Drive-Through Test Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Union County COVID-19 Drive-Through Test Center is a free service available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. It is also free to first responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms, regardless of their place of residence.

Union County residents with COVID-19 symptoms who wish to be tested should call 908-214-7107. First responders and front-line health workers may also call 908-373-5105. 

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

Union County, NJ – Two peregrine falcons that live on the roof of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth are welcoming new occupants into the nest. The pair have been watching over four eggs for several weeks, and the first one hatched on the morning of May 1. The other three eggs will hatch one at a time, over the next few days.

Union County residents and people all over the world can observe the falcons and watch the eggs hatch by tuning into the County’s free livestream Falcon Cam, at ucnj.org/falcon.

“Union County has been helping to preserve and protect peregrine falcons in our area since 2006, and we are all very proud to be part of this conservation success story,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The population of peregrine falcons was decimated by use of the pesticide DDT during the 20^th century. They have been making a comeback in New Jersey, following an intensive preservation effort that began in the 1980’s.

Falcons have been nesting on the Courthouse every year since 2006, when County personnel affixed a nesting box to the roof under the guidance of state wildlife experts.

More livestreams, videos and activities about wildlife are available through Union County’s falcon education partner, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, at conservewildlifenj.org.

Union County provides nature and environmental programs throughout the year, and is offering additional online resources for all ages online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

For more information visit the Trailside Nature and Science Center, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, or the Union County Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Failure to observe social distance puts others at risk and will result in parks closing

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is reopening County-owned parks effective Saturday, May 2, for passive recreation by individuals who observe social distance guidelines that protect against the COVID-19 virus.

“Social distance saves lives, it’s as simple as that,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These guidelines are designed to enable use of County parks by persons who recognize that social distance stops the spread of COVID-19. Everyone has the power to help protect our community by observing the social distance rules.”

In accordance with statewide guidelines for maintaining a six-foot social distance, the following rules apply to County parks beginning on May 2:

• Closed: All recreation equipment and facilities remain closed including restrooms, playgrounds, picnic areas, athletic fields, running tracks, dog parks, workout/fitness equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, Archery Range, Trailside Museum, Warinanco Sports Center, and Watchung Stable.
• Strictly prohibited: Any and all organized or group activities are strictly prohibited including picnics and social gatherings, team sports/practices, pick-up games, group workouts, yoga and fitness classes, and any other organized activities, classes, programs, etc. Teams using County parks for any reason will lose field reservation privileges.
• Permitted: Individual activities such as walking, jogging, biking and fishing are permitted. Bikes are permitted on paved paths only; trail riding strictly is prohibited. For these activities, individuals may be accompanied by family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
• Use of walking paths: Follow arrows to move counter-clockwise only. Slow users keep right; fast users pass on left. Give way to others to maintain six-foot distance when passing.
• Masks: Strongly recommended.
• Parking and hours of use: Union County Parks are open dawn to dusk only; no off-hours use permitted. Drivers must observe parking rules.
• Union County’s Ash Brook and Galloping Hill Golf Courses: Golf courses are expected to open on Wednesday, May 6, after routine maintenance.
• Report abuse of social distance guidelines to Union County Police: 908-654-9800

More information: ucnj.org/parks.

Park visitors please note: Stay on marked trails in order to preserve fragile native habitat in County parks. The taking of plants and other wildlife is prohibited. Share paved paths by keeping to the right unless passing others. Bicycles are permitted only on paved paths. Dogs must be kept on leash. All trash must be carried out where receptacles are full or unavailable. 

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Union County Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update. For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.