County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that acquisition of 112 Park Drive in Cranford has been completed. The property consists of an “elbow” of land and a street that protrude into Nomahegan Park. It is currently occupied by an abandoned house. Now under County ownership, the house and its accompanying section of street will be removed.

The .59-acre parcel was purchased with $515,000 from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The closing took place on Friday morning, November 22.

“Adding land for public recreation is a rare achievement in our densely developed area,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This small but significant parcel will improve a popular walking trail and add more than a half-acre to the natural habitat in the park, while removing a neighborhood eyesore.”

“Completing the trail will make a significant difference to Union County residents and visitors, and it is a great benefit for participants in organized walk-run events that take place in the park. This purchase provides a wonderful example of the impact that the Trust Fund has on the Union County community, as we strive to create more recreation opportunities for the public and preserve our natural heritage for future generations,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is chairman of the Trust Fund.

“Recreational space has been a priority of the Cranford Township Committee.  We greatly appreciate the efforts of Freeholder Chair Kowalski, Open Space Chair Freeholder Granados, and the Union County Freeholders to acquire this property and expand recreational space at Nomahegan Park.  We look forward to much needed beautification of the property,” said Cranford Mayor Patrick Giblin.

The Nomahegan trail is a paved pathway that meanders through the park. At the southern end it is interrupted by Park Drive, which curves around the abandoned house. Trail users – including walkers, joggers, skaters, and cyclists of all ages – must enter the street to continue on to the other end of the trail.

The house at 112 Park Drive was vacated in 2007. Union County expressed interest in purchasing the property as early as 2010. Periodic negotiations with the owners continued until last summer, when an agreement was reached.

Nomahegan Park hosts athletic fields, a lake where fishing is permitted, fitness equipment and a playground, as well as paved pathways and forested areas. The Rahway River also runs through the park.

Union County was one the first counties in the U.S. to establish a county-owned system of public parks. Union County’s park system began construction in the 1920’s, after local preservationists became concerned over rapid development in the area.

Through public support for the Trust Fund and other land preservation initiatives over the years, the Union County park system has grown to include 36 parks totaling more than 6,700 acres.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – Visitors to Union County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle were treated to an unusual sight earlier this week, when a Great Blue Heron took up temporary residence at the park’s fishing dock. To help protect birds and other wildlife from getting tangled in discarded fishing line, new “Reel in and Recycle” bins have been installed at Warinanco and other County parks. Anglers can safely dispose of broken or unwanted line in the bins. The line is collected and converted into new fishing gear. Everyone can help preserve local nature habitats by recycling or properly disposing plastic bags, bottles and other items. To participate in organized habitat improvement projects in Union County parks, visit the Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail program online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683. Photo credit: County of Union, NJ.

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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.

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Community can help by donating gifts for children attending the event

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host the first Union County Fostering Hope Together free holiday ice skating event for families with children under the care and supervision of the State of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families. Parents and guardians of children in foster care are invited to enjoy a morning of holiday cheer featuring free skating for ages five and up, plus photos with Santa, live entertainment, activities, hot chocolate, cookies and more for all ages.

The Fostering Hope Together event is organized by the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity and the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, in collaboration with Kemper Sports, the nonprofit family advocacy organization embrella, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and CASA of Union County.

As part of the event, donated gifts will be provided for children and youth in attendance.

“Hundreds of children in Union County are currently in foster care, and we as a community can help ensure that they feel welcome and included in the activities and experiences of the holiday season,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is proud to host Fostering Hope with our partners, and donations from the public are very much appreciated.”

To donate a gift for ages infant to 16, visit the “Foster And Adoptive Children Holiday Drive” online wish list at amazon.com.*

To donate a gift card for ages 17 and up, or to otherwise assist in the gift drive, contact Michael Miguel of embrella, at MichaelMiguel78@gmail.com or 908-965-1323.

To register and get more details about the event, families can contact their embrella advocate, CASA volunteer or DCP&P worker, or contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, at 908-527-4880 or Nahernandez@ucnj.org.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org, or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

*Full link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O2WRDVRRX3LL/ref=cm_go_nav_hz.

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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.

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In a briefing conducted for the Union County Department of Corrections on Thursday, November 14, the American Correctional Association announced that its recent audit of the Department has concluded, resulting in “exceptional” scores of 100% for mandatory standards and 99.3% compliance in non-mandatory standards.

The briefing is a step toward official accreditation by the American Correctional Association.

“ACA accreditation is only awarded to the ‘best of the best’ in the corrections field, so last Thursday’s briefing represented a significant milestone,” said Freeholder Angel Estrada, who attended the briefing. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank Union County Department of Corrections Director Ron Charles and his staff and officers, for their professionalism and attention to detail.”

The American Correctional Association is the body tasked with developing nationwide standards for policies and procedures that safeguard life, health and safety of corrections personnel and inmates.

ACA accreditation covers all areas of a facility, including safety, security, order, inmate care, programs, justice, and administration.

During the accreditation process, ACA staff works directly with a facility or agency management to provide necessary documentation, assign and train auditors, and discuss with the specific requirements of each standard.

The accreditation process begins with an initial contact and continues through assessment, contracting, preparation, and the accreditation audit. The audit is then followed by a final accreditation decision.

The final accreditation decision for the Union County Department of Corrections is expected in January.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the 2019 Union County Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is now on display at the Freeholders Gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The exhibit is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

“The Teen Arts program provides the youth of Union County with an opportunity to showcase their creative abilities to the public,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I congratulate the artists selected to be a part of this touring exhibit as well as all the students who participated in this year’s Teen Arts Festival.”

The Union County Teen Arts Festival is a two day festival held annually in March, celebrating artistic talent from across Union County in literary, performing, and visual arts. After the festival, a selection is made from the over 700 visual art entries, and those selections become part of the Teen Arts Touring Exhibit. The exhibit travels for approximately 10 months to sites around Union County.

The Union County Teen Arts Festival is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information about Teen Arts and other programs visit the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at ucnj.org, email the office at culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users dial 711).

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents of all ages to the Warinanco Sports Center on Sunday, December 8 for a special Celebrate the Season event.

“Union County is pleased to support this program for the holiday season,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Celebrate the Season will provide families with the opportunity to get in the holiday spirit and we encourage residents to join in the fun.”

Families will have the chance to skate with Santa Claus and his elves. Three skating sessions will be offered during the event at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Each session runs for 2 hours.

In addition to ice-skating, families can enjoy holiday carols, arts and crafts for children, and face painting. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served in the Sports Center café.

Tickets must be purchased in advance for the event. All attendees must have a ticket to attend Celebrate the Season, including those not participating in the skating sessions.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting warinancoparkstore.com/golf/ecom_v2/ecom.php.

Tickets are $5.00 per person and include: admission to a skating session, face painting and crafts, hot chocolate and cookies. Additional food will also be available for purchase at the Sports Center Café. Please note, each skating session is limited to 325 attendees.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – With the arrival of colder weather and the fast-approaching holiday season, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to protect themselves, their families and their guests by following basic fire safety guidelines.

“During this time of year there tends to be a greater use of candles, open fires, and other sources of fire,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “All residents should take note of potential fire hazards in their homes, and take any steps necessary to reduce their risks.”            

Basic fire safety tips for residents to follow include:

 

• Emergency generators used during power outages must be placed outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

• Carbon monoxide poisoning can also result when household cooking stoves, grills and other open flamed devices are used for indoor heating.

 

• Caution should be exercised when using candles or kerosene lamps for lighting. Place them on a flat, stable surface that pets or small children can’t reach, and keep them well away from drapes, papers, and other fire hazards.

 

• Holiday decorations with electrical components should be examined for frayed wiring or insufficient wire covering that could allow for sparks or short circuit fires.

 

• Fireplaces and wood stoves should be inspected before use each year. Chimneys should be cleaned to remove creosote, which can ignite and start a chimney fire. Always use a tempered glass or metal screen over the fireplace opening to keep sparks inside.

 

• Never use papers, trash or liquid fuel in a fireplace or wood stove. Burn only wood and wood pellets.

 

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters radiators and wood stoves.

 

• Turn off any space heaters when leaving the room and make certain they are well maintained and cleaned.

 

• Keep natural Christmas trees well hydrated as dry Christmas trees can ignite when exposed to the heat radiating from holiday light strings.

 

• Store any canned cooking sprays away from the stove, especially during cooking and baking.

 

• Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries with fresh ones.

 

For more information and guidance on fire safety, visit the Fire Prevention and Public Education page at FEMA, usfa.fema.gov/prevention.

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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.

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Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados joined Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator Nathalie Hernandez and members of the Union County Division of Social Services at the Operation Warm Heart Distribution Day in Elizabeth. The division of Social Services and the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity hosted the donation drive collecting winter accessories for the homeless community.(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ — The first cold snap of the season is here, and parents looking for indoor and outdoor children’s activities can find something for all ages at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“If you have never been to Trailside before, now is a good time to come and introduce your children to the many activities and programs offered by our professional staff,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Scheduled programs are available for toddlers and pre-school ages on up.

Pre-registration is required to participate in a scheduled program. To register online, visit the Union County activities registration website, secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog, and scroll down to the “Trailside Preschool Programs” and “Trailside Workshops” links.

A modest fee applies to scheduled activities.

Participants are advised to dress for the weather, as some activities take place outdoors.

In addition to scheduled activities, Trailside is also open to walk-in visitors daily from noon to 5:00 p.m., free of charge. Visitors can stroll the museum at their leisure and enjoy the interactive exhibits, an expansive reading room, an indoor bird watching area, and more.

For more information about all programs and activities at Trailside, visit online at ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3270.

Visit the Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection for quick links to all Union County environmental programs and resources.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds eligible military veterans who are Union County residents that they can obtain free proof of service ID cards at the County Clerk’s main office in the County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in midtown Elizabeth, or at the annex office, located in the Colleen Fraser Building at the Union County Complex, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

“Throughout the year we appreciate the service our veterans have given, and as Veterans Day approaches it is all the more important to recognize their contributions to the Union County community and to our country,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Streamlining access to ID cards and discharge certificates assists military veterans in obtaining benefits and resources without incurring additional costs or delays.”

Union County veterans who have not yet filed their DD-214 discharge papers can do so by bringing the original honorable discharge papers to the County Clerk’s office in Elizabeth or Westfield office. There is no charge for this service.

In addition, veterans who have already filed their DD-214 papers can obtain a copy free of charge from the County Clerk.

Veterans can call the County Clerk at 908-659-7403 for more details information about these free services.

The County Clerk also provides Veteran Peddlers Licenses free of charge. For more information on Veterans Peddlers Licenses, call 908-527-4967.

An online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by Union County businesses is available at the County Clerk’s Veteran Discounts page, ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Businesses interested in joining the directory can fill out an online form in the “Add Service/Business” tab in the directory.

For a list of veteran’s services offered by the County Clerk, visit ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-services. Quick links for additional veteran’s services and programs in Union County are available online at ucnj.org/hero.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, including office hours and locations, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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