The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to participate in the Fall Fishing Derby for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs on Saturday, September 17th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.
The Fishing Derby is a free event welcome to all ages, but pre-registration is required. To register online visit Union County’s secure registration page at ucnj.org/opsn-reg or call 908-527-4781 for assistance.
“The Fishing Derby is a wonderful way to celebrate the last days of summer in our parks,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “We invite residents young and older to come and enjoy the outdoors at this fun community event.”
Chairs and fishing poles will be provided free of charge. Participants are also welcome to bring their own chairs and fishing gear.
The Fishing Derby is an event of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, under the Division of Individual and Family Support Services of the Union County Department of Human Services. The Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club is co-sponsoring the event. They will organize contests and prizes will be awarded to participants.
The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs partners with community centers, schools, colleges, YMCAs, businesses, support organizations and volunteer groups to present recreational events and programs at county facilities as well as locations in various municipalities.
To register for other recreational events or programs provided by the office, visit ucnj.org/opsn-reg.
More information about the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is available at ucnj.org/special-needs. To contact the office, use the online contact form or call the office at 908-527-4807 or 908-527-4781.
A Special Health Event Available to Residents Ages 60+ in Union Township
The Union County Department of Human Services and the Division on Aging invite residents ages 60 and older to “Brunch and Boost 2022”. This special event geared towards Union County’s senior residents will take place on Friday, September 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Union Township Senior Center, located at 652 Rahway Avenue in Union Township.
“Union County wants to provide access to healthy habits and proactive health care,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Brunch and Boost 2022 provides an excellent opportunity for our senior community to socialize and connect with local community partners. We encourage all eligible residents to come out and benefit from the vaccinations, health screenings and other offerings at this event.”
This event is free to attend and no registration is necessary. Attendees will have access to the following, free of charge:
The latest COVID-19 vaccines & boosters (ID Required)
Blood pressure screenings
Access to community programs and vendors providing information and connections to home care and legal services, home maintenance programs, etc.
An indoor brunch buffet
Special giveaways and raffles
For more information about “Brunch and Boost 2022”, contact the toll free number, 888-280-8226.
The Union County Division on Aging is tasked with connecting State, County and local government communities and residents through advocacy and innovation. It is the recognized lead agency for ADRC (Aging & Disability Resource Connection), the statewide system that coordinates access to services, care management and support services for older adults and the disabled. The office is part of Union County’s Department of Human Services and is responsible for leading the charge in providing information, referral and assistance to older adults, their caregivers, provider agencies and the general public who are in need of services and support. For more information, visit: or visit: ucnj.org/dhs/aging/.
To contact the Union County Department of Human Services, residents can use the online contact form at ucnj.org/dhs, email the DHS Action Line at DHSaction@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4847.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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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.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to invite all residents to Ride for Freedom XXVI, hosted by Rolling Thunder Inc.®, New Jersey Chapter 2 on September 18th.
“Each year, we gather to watch this amazing event, that brings awareness to the sacrifices that were made by so many,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “It is truly impressive to see how many bikers and spectators come out to support this ride. I hope everyone to see everyone join us in cheering them on.”
Departing from Warinanco Park on to St. George’s Avenue in Roselle, kickstands will go up and the motorcycle rides will begin at 11:30 a.m. sharp.
Registration is $10 per motorcycle and all benefits will go to the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation & Vietnam Era Museum.
Residents and visitors are highly encouraged to come out and watch.
The County of Union welcomed the participation of 40 AmeriCorps volunteers in a litter cleanup of Rahway River Park on Sunday, September 11th. The volunteers collected 22 bags of litter from the park while working in damp, rainy conditions. The AmeriCorps program took place in partnership with the Union County Clean Communities Program.
“If you are looking for a way to make a real difference in our local environment, efforts led by our Union County Clean Communities Program provide a great place to start. I want to thank the AmeriCorps volunteers for taking the time to make a meaningful difference in cleaning up litter from Rahway River Park, as well as remind all residents to be conscious of the harm caused by pollution from littering,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.
The cleanup was in partnership with two AmeriCorps Programs – the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program and the Jewish Renaissance Foundation – as their 9/11 Day of Service activity.
The AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program is a community-oriented AmeriCorps program designed to raise awareness about water issues in New Jersey. The program works with all sectors of society to improve the quality of New Jersey’s waterways, nurturing community-based environmental activities and empowering residents to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their watershed. For more information about the program, please visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/americorps.htm.
The AmeriCorps Jewish Renaissance Foundation Program focuses on improving the quality of education and community assistance programs throughout Middlesex County, and is committed to helping individuals and families become healthier and stronger. For more information about the program, please visit https://www.jrfnj.org/.
For more information about cleanup programs in Union County, please contact Heather Miara, Environmental Specialist at the Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning at Heather.miara@ucnj.org or 908-789-3689.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that Union County and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority are funding a study aimed at preparing for an increase in electric vehicle (EV) ownership in Union County over the next 10 years. The growth in EV ownership is anticipated to lead to an increased demand for convenient EV charging sites throughout New Jersey.
“Our goal is to ensure that recharging an EV is just as easy and convenient as filling up with gasoline. By planning for more charging locations, we will be in a better position to support residents and make EVs a more viable choice as they become more affordable and popular,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
In addition to meeting overall demand for convenient EV charging sites, the study aims to place the County in position to have the needed infrastructure with respect to traditionally underserved communities. The study will attempt to address the challenge of sufficient charging equipment locations for residents renting in multifamily residences and larger developments.
The Union County study will prioritize public outreach and input. On Friday, September 23rd, the project page will be launched on the County’s website, ucnj.org/ev-study. The project page will include a survey and mapping tool to gather information from the public on where they believe new charging sites should be located.
All members of the public will be invited to participate in the survey, including individual residents as well as those representing businesses, schools, civic organizations, and local governments. When completed, the study will show where EV charging infrastructure should be located over the next ten years by considering areas of highest demand and need.
New Jersey has set a goal for December 2025 to have 330,000 registered passenger EVs and at least 400 public fast chargers throughout the state. The chargers are to be distributed to no fewer than 200 locations.
There are currently three different EV charging options, depending on the driver’s needs. Drivers who charge their EVs at home can use a Level 1 Charger. These take several hours to fully recharge a battery, but they are relatively inexpensive and can be run on an ordinary household outlet.
The faster Level 2 Chargers are more appropriate for public use. Level 2 Chargers require a heavy-duty outlet, of the type used by refrigerators and other large appliances.
The fastest charger currently available is the Level 3, also called Direct Current Fast Charge. This is a purpose-built power source, which cannot be supported by the electrical system of a home.
This Union County study will focus on Level 2 and Level 3 DCFC chargers, which would be publicly accessible. The County is receiving assistance on the Study with a consultant team headed by French & Parrello Associates with FHI Studio and AECOM. For more information, please contact Project Manager Liza Betz, AICP PP, at ebetz@ucnj.org
Free event in Roselle as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to the Cultural Day celebration on Saturday, September 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at Warinanco Park Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Roselle. Attendance is free and all are welcome to attend.
“Cultural Day is one of many events scheduled throughout the County’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We hope to see everyone come out and enjoy the various cultural offerings on hand as we all celebrate the diversity of our Hispanic community.”
The event will include several dance and musical performances ranging from salsa, to folkloric dance to Latin guitar music. Food trucks from The Garden Restaurant and The Lomo will also serve up authentic Hispanic cuisine.
“Our Union County Hispanic Cultural Day will provide an afternoon of activities for residents of all ethnicities with a look into some of the rich cultural music, dances and food that embody Hispanic community,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “I invite everyone to join us as we showcase these festivities for all to see.”
Resource tables from various partners will be set up during the event for attendees. Residents will be able to consult with agencies such as: Union County Youth Services, the Board of Elections, the Puerto Rican Alliance of Elizabeth, The Latino-American Chamber of Commerce and more.
“As a Commissioner and as a Cuban-American, it brings me great pride to recognize the rich Hispanic culture right here in Union County,” said Commissioner Lourdes Leon.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15. On September 15, the Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising marks the start of the month-long celebration. Cultural Day is the second in a series of events scheduled throughout the month that also includes:
September 23, 6:30 p.m. – Movie Night: Encanto – Warinanco Park, Roselle
October 12, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Panel: History of Union County’s Hispanic Media Connection – Kean University North Avenue Academic Building (Corner of Morris and North Aves.)
October 14, 7:00 p.m. – Drive-Up Movie: Encanto – (Salsa Lessons @ 7:00 p.m. & Movie @ 8:00 p.m.) – Plainfield High School, 950 Park Ave., Plainfield.
October 15, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Family Fun Day – Rahway River Park, Parkway Drive (Next to Ulrich Memorial Pool)
For more information regarding the Hispanic Heritage month and related events, please visit: https://ucnj.org/hhm22/ or contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator, by email at judith.guest@ucnj.org or by phone at (908) 527-4388.
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.
Union County, NJ – September 20, 2022 — Seniors and their caregivers can come to Union County’s ASK events on September 21, and October 6 and 17, and meet in person with professional staff for expert guidance on senior programs and resources. Bilingual staff will be available to assist residents in Spanish during the events on September 21 and October 6.
The assistance includes help with filling out applications and forms.
“The ASK program is a friendly, convenient way to find out about helpful programs and services, and our bilingual staff will help ensure that we can reach everyone who is seeking assistance,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
ASK stands for Aging Services Kiosk, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their caregivers.
Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.
Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.
No appointment or pre-registration is needed.
The upcoming events are as follows:
Wednesday, September 21
Bilingual staff will be available at this event to assist residents in Spanish
Elizabeth Public Library
11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, 07202
12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Thursday, October 6
Bilingual staff will be available at this event to assist residents in Spanish
Union Public Library
1060 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, 07083
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Monday, October 17
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue, Clark, 07066
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
To check for other upcoming ASK events, call the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit the Division online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.
ASK updates are also posted on Union County’s social media channels and are frequently carried by local media, both print and digital.
The goal of the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families, in accordance with a statewide initiative adopted by Union County in 2012. It is one of 622 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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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.
Popular Halloween-themed program returns to the Deserted Village of Feltville for the first time in two years.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Haunted Hayrides are back after a two-year hiatus. The popular Halloween-themed series will take place at the Deserted Village of Feltville in the Watchung Reservation on the evenings of October 21, 22 and 23.
“The Haunted Hayrides take participants on a one-of-a-kind trip through the Deserted Village, to meet early inhabitants of this unique historical site,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “The Haunted Hayrides have been a favorite family tradition for many years, and we are delighted to bring it back for the Halloween season.”
Adults and children ages 6 and up are invited to participate.
During the Haunted Hayrides, visitors ride through the 130-acre grounds of the Deserted Village in the dark, on an open hay wagon pulled by a tractor. Live, costumed performers enact more than a dozen vignettes along the way, each based on an actual event from the past within the Village or nearby.
A traveling circus, a coven of witches, and a battle from the Revolutionary War are among the scenes staged by an assembly of Union County staff and volunteers each night.
The figure of David Felt, who built this former mill town in 1845, comes along for every ride to regale participants with tales of mystery and tragedy from the 300-year history of the Deserted Village and its environs.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take a short walk on a trail through the woods to spend time with a resident of a Revolutionary War-era cemetery at the Village.
The Haunted Hayrides are scheduled to leave every half-hour from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. The total program experience lasts about one hour. Warm clothes and walking shoes are suggested.
All tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no ticket sales on site. Ticket purchases can be made online at ucnj.org/ticket.
Tickets may also be purchased in person at the following locations:
Trailside Nature and Science Center
452 New Providence Road, Mountainside
Open Tuesday through Sunday (except holidays), 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The price of a ticket is $8 for a Union County resident and $16 for out-of-county participants. Ticket purchases are limited to eight per person and are sold for rides at specific times. No refunds or exchanges are permitted.
The Deserted Village is located within Union County’s Watchung Reservation off Glenside Avenue, near the border of Berkeley Heights. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the Village during normal park hours, daily from dawn to dusk.
More information about visiting the Deserted Village is available at https://ucnj.org/dv.
The Trailside Nature and Science Center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday except holidays. Trailside is closed on Mondays.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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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.
Union County Commissioner Kimberly Mouded visited campers at the Sensory Summer Camp to enjoy a closing-day celebration on August 26. The campers enjoyed arts and crafts activities, guided hikes, animal presentations, a talent show and more.
Youths ages 12 to 21 attended the Sensory Summer Camp at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center from August 22 to August 26. Among the activities were arts and crafts, guided hikes, animal presentations, an astronomy presentation, a talent show, a singalong camp fire and a closing-day celebration. A total of 20 campers enjoyed the program.
“The Commissioner Board was very proud to bring Sensory Summer Camp back to Trailside this summer, and we are looking forward more enriching activities for children and young adults with special needs as the fall season approaches,” said Union County Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
“Programs like Sensory Summer Camp help ensure that our public recreation resources reach everyone in the Union County family with inclusive experiences in a supportive, judgement-free environment,” said Union County Commissioner Kimberly Mouded.
Sensory Summer Camp is a program of the Office for People with Disabilities and Special Needs, under the Division of Individual and Family Support Services of the Union County Department of Human Services.
The camp program makes use of the Sensory Friendly Trail located on the grounds of Trailside, a gentle 0.3-mile walking trail with many sound, sight, touch, smell and activity features including a Braille loop with rope guides.
Union County’s recreation programming for youth with special needs also includes Special Needs Night at the popular Wheeler Spray Park in Linden, the Sensory Friendly Theatre series at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway and the annual Fall Fishing Derby as well as various classes including yoga, karate, ceramics and golf.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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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.
