County of Union, New Jersey

ELIZABETH, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters 4 years old to 12 years old to participate in “Paint in the Pond” on Saturday, October 6 at the pond in Warinanco Park. This interactive art project will run from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

“The pond at Warinanco Park is a perfect setting for young artists to gather with family members to create beautiful projects while learning the importance of recycling,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

This will be the third year “Paint by the Pond” will be presented to allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board. There will also be miniature houses made with the cardboard boxes floating in the pond during the event.

In case of rain, “Paint by the Pond” will be held on Sunday, October 7. For more information on this exciting event, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.

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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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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages teachers in grades k-12 and local community group organizers to register for a free presentation that introduces watershed and environmental concepts in a fun and meaningful way.

The 30-45 minute, interactive program is conducted by a Watershed Ambassador from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and is co-hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Rahway River Watershed Association.

“Union County is part of a major watershed that ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and it is our duty as citizens to protect and preserve our water resources,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The watershed educational program is a great way to ensure that our community is informed about the importance of watersheds and their role in the environmental health of the Earth itself.”

A watershed is a specific land area that drains into a river system or other body of water. Some watersheds are fairly small. Others sprawl out to include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

A large portion of Union County is located in New Jersey’s Watershed Management Area 7, the Elizabeth and Rahway watersheds. Area 7 also includes parts of Essex and Middlesex counties. It covers the 11-mile Elizabeth River, the 24-mile Rahway River, major tributaries including the East Branch Rahway River, Woodbridge River and Robinson’s Branch tributaries, and major impoundments including the Middlesex Reservoir, Orange Reservoir, Lower and Upper Echo Lakes, and Diamond Mill Pond.

Now in its 18^th year, the Watershed Ambassador program sends trained presenters to classrooms and civic groups, to help teachers, students, and community members discover how human behavior can impact the land and water around them.

The free program also offers easy, practical solutions that everyone can implement to reduce pollution and improve water quality, such as eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides on lawns, picking up pet waste, and not feeding geese.

The Water Ambassador Program is a federally funded position that is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program.  There are 20 such positions throughout the state of NJ.

In addition to educational presentations, the program offers stream assessment training for individuals and groups.

To schedule a free presentation or stream assessment training, contact Jennifer Helminski, Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area 7. Her Union County office is located at the County’s Engineering Building in Scotch Plains, and she may be reached at 908-789-3209 watershed7@ucnj.org.

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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 skies are finally clearing, the outlook is bright for a beautiful weekend, and all of Union County is invited to turn out for the first ever “Rockin’ the Reservation” fall family fun fest at the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside on Sunday, September 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“This new event combines our most popular fall season activities with a whole new roster of live performances and hands-on activities that everyone can enjoy, all day long,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

As a newly updated and expanded version of Union County’s annual harvest festival, Rockin’ the Reservation features traditional activities of the season including a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides and a scarecrow building station.

Adding to fun is a new lineup of art, craft, music, and dance activities along with non-stop live performances: a DJ, country bands, dance and art demonstrations, and much more.

Admission for children age 7 and under is free. For ages 8 and over, admission is $5.00. Additional modest fees may apply to some of the activities.

Visitors can also tour the nearby Sensory Friendly Trail, a new all-access feature that invites all ages and abilities to explore the out-of-doors. The trail is free to all and is open from dawn to dusk every day.

Rockin’ the Reservation takes place on the grounds of Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located in the Watchung Reservation at 451 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Trailside is open every day from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Free parking is available at Trailside and at the nearby Loop playground.

For more details and a full schedule visit ucnj.org/fall or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-527-4900.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that support and guidance for victims of sexual violence is available through the Union County Rape Crisis Center, a 24/7 hotline that connects victims with trained, volunteer advocates.

The advocates provide guidance by phone and may also accompany victims for medical, legal and other services.

“Victims of sexual violence come from all walks of life, and the events of the past few weeks underscore the need for a supportive, non-judgmental source of reliable information and guidance that is available to everyone,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our volunteer advocates perform an invaluable service for residents who are facing a life crisis, and I encourage anyone needing assistance to call the Rape Crisis Center at 908-233-7273.

The Rape Crisis Center has been a volunteer program of the Union County Department of Human Services since 1984. For more information about the program and its services, visit the Rape Crisis Center blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com, call 908-233-7273 or email rcc@ucnj.org.

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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.