Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – With dozens of happy dogs—and their owners—on hand, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders officially cut the ribbon and opened the Warinanco Dog Park in Roselle this past Saturday.

The new dog park is located behind the Warinanco Sports Center located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, Roselle. The opening was attended by local elected officials, county freeholders and dozens of county residents and their dogs.

“This new dog park in the eastern end of the County will complement the existing dog park in western Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who attended with his dog, Bingo. “The Freeholder Board is proud to provide this more local option for dog lovers and owners. As a dog lover myself, I am personally excited to see the county continue to flourish and offer residents diverse resources to accommodate their dogs, which like them, are part of Union County.”

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella and other municipal dignitaries from Elizabeth and Roselle, and County directors were on also on hand. The ribbon-cutting was also attended by dozens of County residents and their dogs of all sizes, ranging from St. Bernards to Chihuahuas.

Hot chocolate, coffee and donuts were on hand for dog-lovers to combat the chill in in the air as the county’s furriest residents became acquainted with the newest dog park. Gift bags filled with treats and other goodies provided by Kong and Earth Rated were given to each canine attendee.

“When Freeholder Sergio Granados became Chairman, I asked to meet with him in January to discuss the option on building a dog park in my hometown,” said Ruby Contreras from the Elizabeth Public Information Office. “We then decided that Warinanco Park was the perfect location as it allows other dog owners from the surrounding towns to come together as well. As a dog mom, I am proud to say that I helped make this happen not only for dogs, but for dog parents everywhere.”

The Warinanco Dog Park is a newly constructed public facility. It features separate large and small dog areas. Each area is equipped with agility equipment, dog-waste stations, pet-friendly water fountains and seating for dog owners.  The Warinanco Dog Park will operate on the same schedule as all Union County parks, with access available year-round from dawn to dusk on a daily basis.

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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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 Chilly but bright and dry weather is expected to draw many visitors to Union County parks this weekend. As always there is something for everyone to enjoy, highlighted by the celebratory opening of Union County’s new Warinanco Dog Park.

“We are constantly looking for new opportunities for our residents and visitors to participate in community recreation, and the new Warinanco Dog Park is a great example of the different ways in which public parks can draw people together,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Chairman Granados and other officials will cut the ribbon for the new Warinanco Dog Park on Saturday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. Residents and visitors – and their four legged companions – are invited to come and enjoy dog treats, dog-themed vendors and more.

The new dog park is located behind the Warinanco Sports Center at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Union County also has another dog park at Echo Lake Park, in Mountainside.

History buffs can stroll through the Deserted Village of Feltville or follow a walking route that traces the footsteps of George Washington and the Continental Army as they marched toward the final showdown of the Revolutionary War.

Visitors to parks throughout Union County can also keep an eye out for birds while hiking along miles of rustic trails and paved pathways. Bird watchers in the New York – New Jersey area are excited by an “irruption,” or unexpected appearance, of saw-whet owls and other bird species this fall. Visitors can help protect birds in Union County parks by viewing them from a distance, not disturbing them while they are at rest, and not sharing their location on social media.

For indoor fun this weekend, the Warinanco Sports Center features an indoor ice skating rink complete with a comfortable lounge, good eats and cozy fireplace.

In Union Township, the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center is hosting the final weekend of its annual holiday model train extravaganza. The Railroad Center is located in Lenape Park, behind the Home Depot off Route 22 East in Union. Shows run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

In Mountainside, Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center is open from noon to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, featuring interactive exhibits for all ages, an expansive reading room, and handy access to the new wheelchair-accessible Sensory Friendly Trail.

Trailside is open seven days a week with free admission to the exhibits and reading room. There is a modest fee for scheduled activities.

For more information and schedules for activities in the Union County parks system visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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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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            ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce “Caroling in the Gardens”, a week long caroling event celebrating the Holiday Season. This event will take place Dec 10^th– 14^th at 5:30 p.m. in The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey. “Caroling in the Gardens” features vocal performances in the Center Court of the Mall Monday, December 10^th and Wednesday, December 12th. Groups will be caroling throughout the mall on Tuesday, December 11^th, Thursday, December 13^th and Friday, December 14^th. This event is coordinated by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation, and made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

“In true Union County style these performers represent a range of vocal stylings and traditions that lend cheer to the holiday,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to showcase the rich diversity of our community at The Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, which attract shoppers and travelers from all over the world have this event in Union County.”

The weeks scheduled performances are:

Monday, December 10^th:

Rahway Valley Jerseyaires

Tuesday, December 11^th:

Grupo Belen

Wednesday, December 12^th

Rahway Valley Jerseyaires

Thursday, December 13^th

Esperanza Azteca

Friday, December 14^th

Chinese American Music Ensemble

            The Mills at Jersey Gardens will host Caroling in the Gardens in its Center Court, and throughout the mall. “We are excited to debut Caroling in the Gardens, and event that is sure to bring the magic of the holidays to life!” said Crystal Fresco, Marketing Director for The Mills at Jersey Gardens.  “Our shoppers come from all over the tri-state area and beyond; it is an honor to help spread holiday cheer during this joyous season,” Ms. Fresco added. The Mills at Jersey Gardens is located on Kapkowski Road at Exit 13A of the New Jersey Turnpike and features 200 stores all under one roof.

                        For more information about “Caroling in the Gardens,” contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550.  New Jersey Relay Users dial 711. e-mail culturalinfo@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 Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of the new UC Night at the Theatre grant program for high schools. As part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s Moving Union County Forward initiative, the new program aims to help cover the costs of high school theatre productions and provide arts enrichment for the community at large.

“High school students have an incredible depth of talent to share, and high school theatre provides many avenues of endeavor to pursue, whether onstage or behind the scenes,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Through this grant program, we hope to assist our schools in expanding and enhancing these enriching opportunities for students, while engaging more residents in the performing arts as well.”

The UC Night at the Theatre program is funded through Moving Union County forward in conjunction with the Union County Open Space, Historic Preservation and Kids Recreation Trust Fund. A total of $25,000 in grants will be disbursed to help cover the costs of high school theatre productions slated for the spring or fall of 2019.

“UC Night at the Theatre is part of the Freeholder Board’s efforts to help youths in Union County explore their interests and share their enthusiasm with family, friends and neighbors. All of us benefit when young people in our community are motivated, confident, and creative,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is Chairman of the Trust Fund.

Grant applications must be submitted through the school principal.  As a condition of the grant, recipients are required to encourage the community at large to attend school theatre productions.

Application forms and a letter describing the new program have been sent to high school principals in all 21 Union County municipalities. Awards will be announced shortly after the application deadline of December 17.  

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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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