Category: Public Info

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Elizabeth River Trail Phase II Opens

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Angela R. Garretson and Christopher Hudak joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage in cutting the ribbon officially opening Phase II of the Elizabeth River Trail. They were joined by Elizabeth Council members Manny Grova, Frank Mazza and Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Groundwork Elizabeth Executive Director Jonathan Phillips and Alane McCahey of the Gateway Family YMCA. The Union County Open Space Trust Fund has contributed $500,000 for both Phase I and Phase II of the project. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Public Info

New 24-Hour Emergency Hotline for the Homeless in Union County

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents seeking emergency shelter and other services that the new 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline number is now 908-249-4815.

The new Hotline number took effect as of Tuesday, August 7. It is staffed and operated by Gateway Family YMCA as a program of the Union County Department of Human Services.

The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist Union County individuals and families.

“The Union County 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline is a valuable resource for those in need of emergency housing and other vital services in times of struggle.” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you are an individual or family challenged by homelessness, please reach out and call for assistance.”

The Hotline enables persons in need of assistance to connect with Gateway personnel, who may refer them to shelter on an emergency basis, or refer them to services that help prevent at-risk households from becoming homeless.

“It’s never too late to call for help. Gateway Family YMCA makes positive difference in our community by helping homeless and low-income households to achieve stable housing and self-sufficiency,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Board’s Liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council.

The Union County Department of Human Services partners with community based social services agencies to connect residents with services, resources and assistance needed for health, well-being and economic opportunity.

Persons who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can call the 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline at 908-249-4815.

For additional resources the Continuum of Care/Homeless Unit of the Union County Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services, or call 908-527-4861 or 908-527-4874.

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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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Public Info

Free Outdoor Movies and Music in Union County

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that free outdoor events and activities continue this week with a screening of The Lion King at Bauer Promenade in Linden on Monday evening, a full slate of National Night Out activities with Cars 3 at Meisel Park in Springfield on Tuesday, and the Summer Arts Festival at Oak Ridge Park featuring the band American Rapture and a free yoga session on Wednesday.

“When the sun starts going down and the temperature begins to cool, it’s a perfect time to get some fresh air and enjoy healthy outdoor fun with family and friends,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

In view of this week’s hot weather, attendees are advised to bring plenty of water along with picnic blankets and lawn chairs.

Children should be encouraged to take frequent breaks to cool off and drink water. Pets should also be provided with water and watched for signs of overexertion.

This week’s activities are:

Monday, August 6: The Lion King at Bauer Promenade on Wood Avenue in Linden. The movie begins at dusk with free popcorn for children. Come early at 7:00 p.m. and enjoy a visit with the Trailside Nature and Science Center’s Eco Van, a traveling nature exhibit.

Tuesday, August 7: National Night Out at Meisel Park on Mountain Avenue in Springfield, featuring police and emergency vehicles on display, live demonstrations by the Union County Police, S.W.A.T., Bomb Squad, Sheriff’s K-9, inflatable rides, free hotdogs and more from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The movie, Cars 3, begins at dusk with free popcorn.

Wednesday, August 8: The free UC Get Fit yoga session with Satsang Yoga begins at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, then American Rapture takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Union County residents and visitors can also cool off at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway, open seven days a week.

Playgrounds with sprinkler features are available at several County parks including Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, Warinanco Park in Roselle, Rizzuto Park in Union, Ponderosa Farm Park in Scotch Plains, and Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights. The Loop Playground in the Watchung Reservation includes a cooling mist feature.

Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center provides a cooled indoor environment for afternoon activities with a weekly matinee on Wednesdays in August. Admission is free daily and a modest fee applies to special events and activities.

For hours, locations, and more details about Union County parks and outdoor activities visit ucnj.org/parks-activities/ or call 908-527-4900.

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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Public Info

Union County Volunteers Help Create User Friendly “Turnpike” on Woodland Trail

Union County, NJ – Hikers along the Red Trail in Union County’s Watchung Reservation will find the going a little easier, thanks to a group of hardworking Adopt-a-Park volunteers.

Organized through Jersey Cares and the UC SHOUT (Union County Students Helping OUT) youth initiative, the 20-strong group helped to restore a chronically wet section of the trail by applying gravel to a raised “turnpike” that enables excess water to percolate through.

Any individual or group is welcome to join Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail.

For more information visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation, call 908-789-3683 or email bkelly@ucnj.org.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The 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.

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Public Info

Union County Board of Elections Seeks Bilingual Poll Workers

Elizabeth, NJ — The Union County Board of Elections is actively seeking bilingual poll workers who are interested in helping eligible voters in the community exercise their right to vote.

Poll workers are paid $200 to work from 5:15 a.m. to 8:15 .pm. on Election Day and must be available to work both the June Primary Election and the November General Election during the year.

Poll workers must be 18 years of age, must be registered to vote in Union County, and must be a resident of Union County. Poll workers are also required to attend a training seminar.

If you are interested in serving or need more information, please call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

The application for appointment as a Union County Poll Worker is available for download on the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/board-of-elections.

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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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Public Info

2018 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy Graduation

Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli joined Undersheriffs Dennis Burke, Mickey Colon and Jonathan Parham in congratulating the graduates of the 2018 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy during a ceremony at the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. More than 100 middle and high school students from throughout Union County graduated this year’s program.

Recruits in the youth academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training. During the program, the teens engaged in physical training, attended lectures and through class trips and visits by guest speakers, the recruits met with representatives from several law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Corvelli also thanks the instructors and the law enforcement agencies who were involving in make the 11th Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy a success.

Public Info

Union County College Lessner Building Reopens at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel and Elizabeth Campus Dean Dr. Lester Sandres Rapalo in cutting the ribbon official reopening the ground floor and lower level of the Lessner Building after a major renovation project on the Elizabeth campus. Elizabeth Councilman Manny Grova and Elizabeth Board of Education Commissioner Stanley Neron also attended the event.

The College now offers a comprehensive Student Services Center, visible from the street, welcoming all students and prospective students through its doors. Downstairs, the new Center for Economic and Workforce Development was designed to better serve adult vocational/educational learners in the County.

Public Info

Union County to Celebrate National Night Out August 7 at Meisel Park in Springfield with Law Enforcement Displays followed by Family Fun Flix

SPRINGFIELD, NJ- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation will celebrate National Night Out this year with “Family Fun & Flix, the free summer entertainment and film series, and a display of police and emergency vehicles. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 7 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.

National Night Out activities get underway at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. A number of law enforcement agencies will be on hand, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Department, and the Union County Police Department.

There will be plenty of police and emergency vehicles on display, along with live demonstrations by the Union County Police, S.W.A.T., the bomb squad, sheriff’s K-9 officers and much more. There will also be inflatables for the kids to enjoy. Free hot dogs will be available for those attending National Night Out.

Following the National Night Out activities, those in attendance can enjoy the animated comedy “Cars 3,” which tells the story of Lightning McQueen, a racing legend pushed aside by younger drivers, but who is determined to show the younger drivers he is still the best.

Attendees at the movie will receive free popcorn during the showing.

“National Night Out provides an opportunity for members of our law enforcement community to provide important information to residents to assist them in keeping themselves and their families safe,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “And when the sun goes down, relax in your chair or on your blanket and enjoy the movie.”

This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will continue on Tuesday, August 14, returning to Warinanco Park in Elizabeth for the presentation of “Wonder.” The final movie of the summer will also be at Warinanco Park, Despicable Me 3 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, August 21.

Family Fun and Flix movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website: ucnj.org. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. the date of the show.

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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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Public Info

If You Build It, They Will Hum: New Meadow for Pollinators in Watchung Reservation

Union County, NJ — Bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators have a new home in Union County’s Watchung Reservation, where an open field was recently replanted with native wildflowers and transformed into a flourishing habitat.

The new pollinator meadow is located along a paved access road that runs between the western corner of the Loop and the bottom of the parking lot at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

“The Watchung Reservation fulfills an invaluable nature conservation role in our area, and it is very gratifying to see how native species respond when their habitat is improved,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, who chairs the Freeholder Board’s Parks, Public Works and Facilities Committee. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to thank the volunteers who helped bring new life to the meadow. Their hard work will be enjoyed by countless visitors in the years to come.”

The rehabilitation of the meadow was undertaken as a Gold Award project by a local Girl Scout, who organized volunteers to reseed the ground and plant more than 450 milkweed starts. The project received a grant from Monsanto and a donation of $1,200 for new seeds from the non-profit Trailside Museum Association.

The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation prepared the ground and the Mountainside Fire Department contributed personnel and equipment to provide water, helping to ensure a successful start for the new plantings.

The meadow now includes many varieties of native wildflowers including monarda or bee balm, spotted St. John’s wort, black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, blue vervain, swamp and common milkweed, and butterfly weed. A green fringed orchid also made an appearance this year.

Native plants are crucial to the survival of spicebush and tiger swallowtail butterflies, monarch butterflies, hummingbird moths, skippers, silver spotted butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and many other pollinators as well as birds and bees.

Union County residents can help improve pollinator habitats in their own yards by planting hardy, low maintenance native plants.

Union County’s free Plant This, Not That guide provides simple suggestions for incorporating colorful native species that attract pollinators, while also cutting down on water bills and other yard care expenses. Recently revised and expanded by County staff, the guide is available for view or download at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

The Trailside Museum Association is a volunteer organization that supports the environmental education mission of Trailside, which was established in the 1940’s as the first local nature museum in New Jersey. To contribute or join, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

To find out more about volunteering in County Parks, visit Adopt-a-Park at ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call 908-789-3683. Any individual or group may participate in Adopt-a-Park.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection 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.

Public Info

Paint by the Pond Event to be Held Sunday, August 19 at Warinanco Park

ELIZABETH, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate in “Paint by the Pond.” This will be the third year for this interactive art project which will take place on Sunday, August 19 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the pond in Warinanco Park.

The event will take place in Gregory’s Woods Areas 1 & 2, and will allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board.

“The Gregory’s Woods setting near the pond will provide the young artists an excellent setting to capture the glorious colors of one of Union County’s showcase parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The “Paint by the Pond” project encourages everyone to express themselves and create art with any materials that may be available, even household items that are usually discarded.

There will also be miniature houses made from cardboard boxes floating in the pond at Warinanco Park during the event.

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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

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