County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – From dandelion greens to bone health and the secrets of the Mediterranean diet, health experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension are sharing their knowledge with the Union County community through the new “Wellness on Wednesday” free live webinars. The weekly series focuses on practical, affordable tips for improving diet and overall well-being.

“All through the COVID-19 outbreak, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension has continued to connect the public with fact based guidance for healthy living,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The new Wellness on Wednesday series is especially welcome at this time, as many families are coping with the economic impact of the outbreak.”

Wellness on Wednesday features experts from the Rutgers University Department of Family & Community Health Sciences.

The series takes place every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. from now until August 26. Each session last approximately 45 minutes. Participants will need a computer, tablet, or smart phone with speakers.

Topics include how to prepare greens, improve bone health, satisfy picky eaters, avoid stress-eating, read nutrition labels, spot hidden sugars, and much more.

The series is free but registration is required to join. For a list of topics with more details and registration links, visit Rutgers University online at sebsnjaesnews.rutgers.edu.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is dedicated to connecting the public with science based knowledge that can be applied to improve daily life. It is supported in part by the Freeholder Board through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, with offices at the County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

For more Extension online programs, including environmental topics, yard and garden care, and 4-H clubs for youth, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County online at ucnj.org/rce.

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 and assistance through the Union County Department of Human Services, 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.

As gardening season comes into full swing, Union County residents can get remote assistance improving their yards and raising backyard vegetable gardens while protecting the environment, too. Residents with yard and garden questions can contact the free Garden Helpline at (908) 654-9852 or mastergardeners@ucnj.org.

The Garden Helpline is a service of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County, run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support the  Rutgers Extension and the Master Gardeners. During the COVID-19 outbreak the Helpline continues to be available to provide remote assistance to Union County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Other Rutgers Cooperative Extension remote learning services are also available to gardeners during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Earth Day at Home is a new interactive webinar series about eco-friendly yard and garden care, and related topics, continuing through May and into June.

New gardeners can learn how to start vegetable seeds indoors, and how to find an appropriate location to start a backyard garden.

The Plant This, Not That guide assists residents in selecting native plants for the garden. Plant This, Not That was created by a local Girl Scout with assistance from the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, to show how to use colorful native plants instead of invasive species.

The Master Gardeners program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. It is supported by the Freeholder Board as part of a national county-based community agriculture program under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Extension offices are located in the County’s Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield, and the Demonstration Garden is located in the County’s Watchung Reservation near the Trailside Nature and Science Center.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection online at ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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.

Homebound senior citizens in Union County continue to be served during the COVID-19 Pandemic through the Meals on Wheels program. The program is funded through the Union County Department of Human Services Division on Aging.

“Eligible seniors have continued to receive nutritious meals during the COVID-19 out-break through Meals on Wheels,” said Free-holder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This program is a lifeline, and on behalf of the Freeholder Board I thank all of the volunteers who make it possible.”

In order to comply with social distancing policies put in place during the pandemic, Meals on Wheels has modified its procedures to provide for contactless delivery.  Meals on Wheels volunteers assemble, de-liver, and personally greet homebound seniors, many who have no other human contact during the day. All drivers and deliverers wear gloves and masks, as do the volunteers in kitchens where meals are prepared. From March 18 to May 6, 32,559 meals have been delivered through Meals on Wheels in Union County. In the event of delivery interruption, seniors have been given a two week supply of emergency meals.

Residents wishing to apply for Meals on Wheels are urged to contact the program directly at 908-486-5100. The applicant will be interviewed to see if they meet program criteria.

Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Union County has received $399,000 to fund meals through September 2021. The Union County Division on Aging anticipates additional funding from the federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) for food, home and community based services, including respite services for caregivers.

Union County is observing the national Administration for Community Living’s Older Americans Month through the Division of Aging. The May 2020 Older Americans Month theme is “Make Your Mark”. To learn more about Older Americans Month please visit https://acl.gov/oam/2020/older-americans-month-2020.

Residents seeking additional help or information may call the Division of Aging at 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863. Residents may also email the Division of Aging’s Action Line atDHSAction@ucnj.org.

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/