Union County, NJ – As another heat wave rolls into New Jersey, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that resources are available for cooling off during extreme hot weather.
The National Weather Service has called a heat advisory for the Union County area for the late afternoon of today, July 17, as well as the entire weekend of July 20 and July 21. The heat wave is expected to last through Sunday.
“Heat waves can be dangerous, and even fatal, if people do not take proper precautions to keep themselves cool,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Union County has many options available for residents to ‘beat the heat,’ so please take advantage of them and stay safe.”
Residents are advised to stay indoors when possible and keep outdoor activity to a low level. The sun’s heat easily penetrates windows, so shutting drapes, shades and curtains will help keep indoor spaces cooler during the day. To avoid heat-related illnesses, residents are strongly encouraged to stay in a cool, dry location, put cool, wet cloths on your body, and take a cool bath. Please visit the CDC’s guide to warning signs for more details.
If there is no cooling available at home, relief can be found at a library, senior center, community center, museum, mall, or any other cooled public space where seating is available.
Union County’s public recreation facilities can also offer some respite from the heat. In Rahway, the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park is open seven days a week. For information on hours of operation call 732-381-4045.
Spray parks are available for children at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights, Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. For maps and directions visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.
In addition, the Loop playground in the Watchung Reservation includes a mist feature, and the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside is a short walk away. It is open seven days a week from noon to 5:00 p.m.
The following municipalities in Union County are offering cooling centers. Residents planning to visit these locations are encouraged to call ahead to confirm hours of operation. Please contact your local Police Department for more information if your town is not listed.
Berkeley Heights
29 Park Avenue
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Phone: (908) 464-2700 ext. 2110
Contact: Angela Lazzari, Office of Township Clerk
Clark
430 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ 07066
Phone: (732) 388-3600
Contact: Nancy Raymond, Health Officer
Cranford
8 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
Phone: (908) 709-7200; Fax: (908) 276-7664
Contact: Patty
Elizabeth
Miller Evans Logan Recreation Center
161-163 First Street
This Friday 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Elmora Racquet Club
23 Fernwood Terrace
(908) 820-2860
Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Peterstown Community Center
408 Palmer Street
(908) 820-4288
Monday through Friday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Fanwood
Chelsea Senior Living Center
295 South Ave.
(908) 654-5200
Open daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Linden
Linden Public Library
31 East Henry Street
Operating Hours
Monday -Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday Closed
John T. Gregorio Recreation Center
330 Helen Street
Operating Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Linden Multi-Purpose Center
1025 John Street
Operating Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Plainfield
Plainfield Senior Center
400 East Front Street
(908) 753-3506
Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Rahway
Rahway Library
5075, 2 City Hall Plaza,
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 340-1551
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am-8pm
Tuesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Rahway Recreation Center
275 E Milton Ave
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 669-3600
Monday-Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Roselle Park
Cassano Center
314 Chestnut Street
Roselle Park, NJ 07204
(908) 245-0666
Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Union
Senior Center
968 Bonnel Court
(908) 851-5290
Open daily 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Townhall
1976 Morris Ave.
(908) 851-8500
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Closed
For more information on resources for senior citizens, contact the Union County
Division on Aging toll-free, 888-280-8226.
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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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