The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to participate in a multi-site clean-up along Green Brook Park on Sunday, May 19th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Green Brook Park, nestled in Plainfield, is part of the Lower Raritan Watershed, encompassing 352 square miles throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, and Union Counties, and flows through parts of fifty municipalities.
“Clean waters not only sustain life but also nurture communities, fostering a sense of stewardship and pride,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “Through our collective efforts, we can ensure that future generations inherit not just clean streams but a legacy of environmental responsibility and resilience. We celebrate the dedication of our volunteers and partners, who embody this spirit of stewardship, turning passion into action for a healthier Green Brook!”
On May 19th, the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning will collaborate with agencies including Americorps, the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, New Jersey Clean Communities, the Central Jersey Stream Team, the Mayor’s Alliance, and other municipal partners in this special cleaning initiative aimed at revitalizing the Green Brook Watershed.
The Lower Raritan watershed is a sanctuary for approximately 240 bird species and provides crucial habitat for amphibians, reptiles, and other aquatic life. Historical growth and associated pollution have left a legacy of contamination in the river. Efforts like this scheduled clean-up play a vital role in enhancing ecosystem quality and preserving biodiversity and habitat for plants and animals.
Now in its third year, this multi-site clean-up initiative will span four different locations in both Middlesex and Union Counties. Clean-up locations include Green Brook Park (Plainfield), McCoy Park (Dunellen), Green Brook Regional Center (Green Brook Township), and Mountainview Park (Middlesex Township). Participants assigned to Green Brook Park will convene at the park in the City of Plainfield. Parking is available along Park Drive.
All participants are advised to come prepared with waterproof shoes or boots and clothing suitable for wet and dirty conditions. Gloves, trash bags, and other supplies will be provided. Registration is mandatory. Interested participants may register at https://lowerraritanwatershed.org/event/may-9-multi-site-green-brook-clean-up/.
Additional stewardship efforts for the Green Brook waterway include a study of juvenile Spring glass eels coordinated by the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and installation of the first-in-New Jersey mechanical “litter trap” designed by the Georgia-based Stormwater Systems. The litter trap project was selected for implementation as part of the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Restoration Plan. Project partners include Dunellen, Green Brook, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, and the Cornell Dubilier Trustees (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration).
For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.