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Sledding/Winter Sports in Union County Parks

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents and visitors to enjoy winter sports at designated areas in the Union County Parks System, with safety in mind.

Five areas are advised for sledding in County parks: Briant Park (Summit), Echo Lake Park at the “Summer Arts Hill” near Springfield Avenue (Westfield), areas of Lenape Park that are not close to waterways (Cranford), Meisel Park detention basin area (Springfield), and Unami Park (Garwood).

Persons visiting the parks for winter sports should note that the Union County park system is heavily wooded, and the parks sit in proximity to roadways and bodies of water. Toboggans, bobsleds and other non-steerable devices are strongly discouraged, and children should be supervised at all times.

The park supervisor may suspend sledding activities if there is not enough snow to protect underlying grass and soil, or if there are severe ice conditions.

Cross-country skiing is currently permitted at Ash Brook Golf Course in Scotch Plains, Oak Ridge Golf Course in Clark, and the Watchung Reservation.

There is no location in the park system suitable for downhill skiing. Downhill skiing in the Union County Parks is strictly forbidden.

For ice skating, the County’s indoor Skating Center at Warinanco Park is open for the season. Checkucnj.org/skate for more information or call 908-298-7850 for a recorded message.

Skating on natural waterways in the park system is limited and is contingent on the availability of at least four inches of clear ice as measured by Parks officials in accordance with widely accepted safety standards.

Several locations that were routinely open for skating in the past are no longer available and the list of skating sites is being updated accordingly. Skaters are advised to take note of signs posted at designated areas.

Winter sports at any County park may be cancelled at any time if the conditions of the park are such that the safety of the public is in jeopardy.

For additional information regarding winter sports visit ucnj.org or call 908-527-4900 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a recorded message at any time, call the Union County Parks hotline, 908-352-8410.