Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders joined with Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp and members of City Council and the Board of Education in breaking ground on two new turf fields at Cedar Brook Park.  The fields, which replace existing grass sports fields,  are expected to be completed by next summer.

“Cedar Brook park is one of the most popular parks in the County system, and it was designed as much for recreational use as it was for aesthetic beauty,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We look forward to providing improved recreational amenities in the park for our youth.”

Freeholder Linda Carter, a resident of Plainfield and a member of the Freeholder Board’s Parks Standing Committee added: “Our recreational facilities continue to be in great demand, and the new turf will help ensure that these fields recover more quickly from usage and inclement weather and provide more opportunities for use. Over the past decade, we have continued to make upgrades to Cedar Brook which has elevated its standing as top-notch park and recreational destination.”

Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp added: “Cedar Brook Park is one of Plainfield’s great attractions, and we are looking forward to the upgrades and improvements to the fields that will increase recreational opportunities for our youth and older active adults.”

Others in attendance included: Plainfield City Council President Rebeccca Williams, City Council Vice President Barry Goode, and Councilmembers Joylette Mills-Ransome, Bridget Rivers, Charles McCrae, and Board of Education member Carmencita Pile.

New Jersey State Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), whose district includes Plainfield, Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, and Winfield, and was involved in the planning process, added:

“Cedar Brook draws visitors from Plainfield and beyond, and these significant new upgrades will ensure that more people can come and enjoy this valuable public asset,” said Green.

Work is expected to begin on the fields in November, and the project will include lighting, sidewalks, small bleachers, team benches and 18 additional parking spots. One field will be multi-use for soccer, football and lacrosse; the other will be a “junior” field for soccer usage.

The project, which is funded by the County, will cost $1.7 million and was designed by the Maser Consulting engineering firm of Red Bank, NJ. The contractor is the Abraham Construction Company of West Orange, NJ.

Over recent years, the County has made a series of improvements to Cedar Brook Park, which contains popular attractions such as its tennis courts and the Shakespeare Gardens, which have received recent upgrades.  The County has also installed a new spray park, playground, restrooms, and a new shed for the cricket field.

Over the next year, the County is also planning to install a handicapped-accessible fishing dock at the pond and make passive improvements (walking path and benches) to the Stelle Avenue branch of the park.

Cedar Brook Park was developed in 1925 by the Union County Park Commission, and was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the noted engineering firm that designed a series of historic landmark parks in urban areas. Their list of projects includes Central Park in New York City and five others in the Union County parks system—Wheeler Park, Warinanco Park, Echo Lake Park, Green Brook Park and the Watchung Reservation.

Cedar Brook Park is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.  Improvements have been designed with consideration of the original Olmsted Brothers design for the park.

The park is a popular

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel, Kean University President Dawood Farahi, faculty and students at the official signing of the Kean University and Union County College Joint Admission Agreement at the Union County College campus in Cranford. Students now have a seamless path to a bachelor’s degree at Kean University with the Joint Admissions Program agreement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Did you know there are miles of paved greenways that meander through Union County Parks—and they are perfect for strollers and wheelchairs and walking, running and biking?

If your answer is no, then you should meet up with the Freewalkers at Echo Lake Park on Sunday, Nov. 5 and get to learn about all the new paths to explore.

The Freewalkers, together with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation is co-sponsoring the family-friendly walking event which encourages families and individuals to walk and enjoy the beautiful trail resources that are available here in Union County.

Stroll and Roll will get started at the Gazebo in Echo Lake Park with a rolling start between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. The trek will follow the park trail to nearby Lenape Park, eventually connecting to the East Coast Greenway/Sept. 11 National Memorial Trail in Kenilworth.

Participants can walk the four-mile round-trip, or  opt for the one-mile route, which is the minimum to earn recognition for your efforts. The event should last until 2:00 p.m. Kids will receive a certificate of accomplishment, a medal and gifts.

“Stroll and Roll is an event that gives families the opportunity to explore the trails of our parks while getting exercise learning the history of the trails,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Residents are encouraged to take advantage of a wonderful day out along this scenic pedestrian highway.”

Stroll and Roll is a free event, open to anyone who would like to participate along with strollers, carriages, bicycles and wheelchairs, at your own pace. It is not a race, but an opportunity to walk at a comfortable pace and enjoy the experience while learning about trails and walking along the way.

There will be games and surprises, and park staff and naturalists will be available to answer your questions about the trail and the parks involved.

Sponsors are welcome to participate in a number of ways. For more information, contact Yohana Osorio at 973-885-3146, or get more information online at strollroll.org.

In spite of its name, the Deserted Village of Feltville receives thousands of visitors every month.  More than 2,500 visitors are expected on this coming weekend alone for the Village’s annual open house during Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend” program.  Even those who have been to the Deserted Village before will find lots of new things to see at the historic site in Union County’s largest park, the Watchung Reservation.

Staffed activities will occur at the Deserted Village from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22.  Visitors may pick up a map and narrative at Feltville’s parking lot for a self-guided tour.  Or take a leisurely ride and see most of the Village’s buildings and grounds from a narrated hayride, which will run continuously both days.

If you are interested in a more detailed excursion, join the ghost of David Felt at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday for a 1-mile/2 hour tour of the factory town that he built in 1845 to house a printing mill and the 175 people who worked in his mill, on his farm, in his store or school, or in other occupations.  On Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Mr. Felt will provide a 30-minute long armchair tour on the porch of his general store for those who don’t have the time or stamina to make the walking tour.  At other times, the ghost of David Felt will be available at the general store to converse with visitors.

Would you rather read more about it?   Fifteen professionally prepared interpretive signs will be formally “unveiled” during the Four Centuries celebration.  They use text and photographs to provide both a general history and very specific stories about the Deserted Village.

In one of his movies, Indiana Jones said that in archaeology, X never marks the spot.  But take a tour of the Deserted Village at 3:00 pm on Sunday, and learn how an X on the ground yielded not only a great assemblage of artifacts, but also revealed an interesting social history.  The tours will be led by Matthew Tomaso, Dr. Richard Veit, and Carissa Scarpa, all of whom are professional archaeologists who have conducted archaeological investigations at the Deserted Village.  And children can get their hands dirty digging for artifacts throughout the weekend.

At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Revolutionary War historian and author Robert Mayers will speak in Masker’s Barn about General George Washington’s troop movements in the Watchung Mountains.  His talk will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing.

“We are fortunate to have an author of Mayers’ caliber come to talk with Union County residents about the Revolutionary War history in their own backyard,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski.  “When the County created the Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail several years ago, we recognized the route Washington’s retreating forces took up what is now New Providence Road – just to the west of where everyone will be listening to Mayers’ presentation.”

The original settler of the area that is now the Watchung Reservation, Peter Willcocks, built a sawmill in the Blue Brook Valley in 1736 and supplied lumber to farmers as they built farms in what was then the frontier of America.  Four Centuries visitors will find Peter’s son, John, in the Deserted Village cemetery, visiting the graves of his mother, Phebe Badgely Willcocks and other relatives.  John was a New Jersey militia soldier who was killed early in the Revolutionary War, during the retreat of Washington’s army from Fort Lee. 

Because of those Revolutionary War connections, Union County is now one of 14 counties formally designated for inclusion in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.  Since the Crossroads program is administered by the National Park Service, visitors are now able to get their Passport to Your National Parks stamped in the Deserted Village’s general store.  If you have not started to collect National Park Passports stamps yet, you can make the Deserted Village your first stop and buy a Passport right in the store.

Some visitors are expected to travel to Feltville from other states to take part in the Four Centuries program, and to get their NPS Passports stamped.  Whether coming from near or far, up to eight families will, for the first time, be able to stay in the Deserted Village for the weekend in their own recreational vehicles.  Permit applications are available at www.ucnj.org/dv.

The Church/Store Building was built by David Felt in 1845 to serve the needs of his mill town inhabitants.  The general store downstairs and the church upstairs met the Feltville residents’ needs, both materially and spiritually.  Today the general store serves as the Village Visitor Center and is open to the public most Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.  Exhibits of artifacts, photographs and maps depict the Village’s history across four centuries.  Starting this weekend, the Visitor Center will be a general store again, with nostalgic candy, snacks, toys and games on sale.  A food vendor will be grilling nearby for those who want something more substantial to eat or drink.  Picnic tables are available for families wanting to pack a lunch.

David Felt’s store provided the residents of Feltville with food from his 600-acre farm, which included livestock and apple and peach orchards.  A small apple orchard was recreated along Cataract Hollow Road earlier this year.  A hands-on demonstration of apples being pressed into cider will be ongoing throughout the Four Centuries weekend.

Children will be excited to play old-fashioned children’s games on the Deserted Village’s grass tennis court.  They can also buy a small pumpkin and draw a face on it.  And at the general store, they can learn from a schoolmarm how to write with a goose quill pen and ink.

All are welcome to tour the beautifully restored circa-1882 Masker’s Barn carriage house.  Outside the Barn, sit for a while and roast marshmallows at the new campfire ring.

All activities for the Four Centuries weekend are rain or shine, and most are free of charge. Enter the Deserted Village via Cataract Hollow Road, off of Glenside Avenue (GPS address – 1 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights). Wear warm clothes and sturdy walking shoes.

For additional information about the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park, visit the County website at www.ucnj.org/DV.   Tickets are already sold out for Haunted Hayrides that will run at the Deserted Village on Oct. 27-29.  Information about over 30 other Four Centuries in a Weekend sites is available from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, (908) 558-2550, or on the Union County website at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi stands at one of the new absentee ballot assistance stations at the County Clerk’s office in Westfield. Absentee ballots are available in the County Clerk’s Offices in Elizabeth and Westfield.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located in Room 113 at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, in Elizabeth. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or through the newly redesigned Union County Votes app, a free download for mobile devices.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski welcomed Boxed co-founder and CEO Chieh Huang to a Union County Means Business Lunch & Learn event in Mountainside. Mr. Huang, one of the country’s top entrepreneurs, was the guest speaker offering insights about Boxed, an app-driven, online national bulk retail company. Business owners and managers from Union County attended the session, sponsored through the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Business initiative in support of local businesses. For more information about Union County Means Business visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proudly recognizes Wednesday, October 11 as National Coming Out Day in support of safe spaces for the LGBTQ community and allies.

The County of Union celebrates the strength of our diversity and supports equality for all people. County employees showed their support for LGBTQ allies and individuals.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski, Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel and members of the Union County College community in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Veterans Center at the Union County College campus in Cranford. The service center for military veteran students is part of Chairman Bergen’s UC HERO initiative. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Freeholder Board today held a groundbreaking for the new $8.9 million Ash Brook Golf Course Clubhouse that is anticipated to open in September, 2018.

Once constructed, the new 21,000 square foot building will house a full-service restaurant (with terrace) with capacity for 120 people, a full retail pro shop, administrative offices and public restrooms, underground cart barn for a new electric fleet of 90 carts, and a full service turn stand.

“These improvements continue to solidify Union County’s reputation as a state leader in this sport and the home of public golf,” said Freeholder Bruce Bergen. “Our courses are known for their playability, customer service and top-notch amenities, comparable to private courses.”

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella added: “Over the past seven years, the County completely transformed what was once a decaying, money-losing golf operation into state-of-the-art facilities that have become a profit center. Our Galloping Hill Golf Course (in Kenilworth) has become one of the state’s leading public golf courses, and now Ash Brook will take its place beside it.”

In recent years, the County completed a golf course renovation project at Ash Brook with famed architect Rees Jones.  The scope of work included updating course drainage, tree work and bunkers, which were renovated and rebuilt to industry standards.  The end result is a golf course that is amenable for golfers of all skill levels.

Ash Brook Golf Course features 7,040 yards of golf from the longest  tees for a par of 72. The course was designed by Alfred Tull and opened in 1953. Ash Brook is a parkland style golf course with tree lined fairways and large greens. Ash Brook has four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.

In addition to the 18-hole facility, Ash Brook offers a Pitch & Putt course for players of all ages that has proven to be a family favorite in the community. The Pitch & Putt course features 673 yards of golf for a par of 27.

In January 2010, KemperSports began managing Ash Brook Golf Course as part of the Union County Golf Properties. KemperSports is recognized as a leader in the golf course management industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the facility.

For more information on Ash Brook Golf Course, please go to www.ashbrookgolfcourse.com/

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders celebrated the ninth annual Union County—UNICO District X Columbus Day Flag raising event at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

The program, which was emceed by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, featured speakers from UNICO and County government along with Catiana Celentano, founder and owner of the Let’s Play in Italian Language and Cultural Center in Scotch Plains, and Nick Netta, of Netta Architects in Mountainside.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Angel Estrada and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi were in attendance.