Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying county and municipal parks Wednesday morning, August 6, 2025, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Union County History Re-Grant Program for Special Projects and General Operating Support are now available. All eligible non-profit organizations in Union County are invited to apply.
“Our History Re-Grant Program helps fund local libraries, museums, and non-profit historical organizations, enabling them to continue providing our community with the quality educational experiences and engaging programs we look forward to each year,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “I encourage all eligible organizations to take advantage of this opportunity and apply today.”
Applicant organizations must be based in Union County, and the programming covered by the grant must take place in Union County during 2026. Applications must be submitted online to the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. To begin the application process and to create an account, request the link to the application portal by emailing John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at jprescott@ucnj.org
The application deadline is Friday, September 19th, 2025 at 11:45 p.m. Application materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Eligibility requirements, application components, and other pertinent details are outlined in the complete General Operating Support (GOS) and Special Projects (SP) guidelines.
The Re-Grant Program includes two types of grants:
General Operating Support (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation such as programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, and more. Funding is available to Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.
Special Project (SP) grants support history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum SP grant request is $5,000.
“Union County has a rich and vast history, and there is much to explore and learn about here,” said Union County Commissioner and Liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board, Bette Jane Kowalski. “We are happy to use this grant to continue supporting the organizations that dedicate their time and effort to making this exploration a fun and rewarding adventure for our residents.”
Funding for the History Re-Grant program is provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission. For clarification, assistance, or questions about applying, please contact John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at 908-436-2912 or by email at jprescott@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs are pleased to announce that applications to the 2026 Local Arts grant program are now being accepted. The Union County Local Arts Program, known as “LAP,” supports arts programming produced by both arts organizations and non-arts organizations located in and serving residents of Union County.
“Our Local Arts grant program provides necessary funding and support to these organizations so they can remain focused on developing the inclusive projects, quality artistic programs, and cultural events Union County is known for,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “I strongly encourage eligible organizations that offer arts programming to take advantage of this opportunity and apply.”
The Local Arts Program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Two types of grants are available under this program:
General Operating Support grants are available to nonprofit arts organizations. The maximum request is $15,000, and the request cannot exceed 40% of the organization’s projected 2026 budget.
Special Project grants are available to both arts organizations and non-arts organizations (including nonprofits, libraries, and units of local government) to fund a specific arts project, such as a performance series. The maximum request is $5,000. Matching funds are required.
“Local art events offer more than just entertainment for our residents; they contribute to the vibrancy and cultural legacy of this community,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “I’m looking forward to seeing the great work that our awardees come up with in 2026!”
Arts activities must take place in Union County during 2026. Applications must be completed online using the Grant portal. Funds will be awarded to applicants that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in arts programming. The deadline to submit a completed LAP application is September 24, 2025.
A Grant Workshop including a Q&A will be held on Thursday, August 7, from 3:00–4:30 pm on Zoom, offering information and guidance about the three grant programs. Register to attend the Grant Workshop at https://ucnj.org/cha-workshop/.
For questions about the Local Arts program, or to obtain the link to the grant portal to begin an application, contact the LAP Grant Coordinator, Martha Sturm at msturm@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce that its free virtual series for the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ+ Empowerment Hour, returns on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom for a lively and educational discussion about adoption in the LGBTQ community.
To participate in the discussion, please register at ucnj.org/lgbtq
To honor the unofficial LGBTQ+ Family Day this August, the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs is collaborating with the Union County Surrogate’s Office for this special edition of Empowerment Hour, focused on building families and protecting their legacies.
“Our LGBTQ Empowerment Hour sessions have become a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to connect, support, and educate one another. Each session is filled with engaging topics, valuable resources, and relatable stories from community members,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Whether you want to quietly listen and take the information in, or join in on the discussion and share your story, all are welcome to tune in this August for yet another powerful episode.”
According to 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, same-sex couples are four times more likely to adopt children than heterosexual couples.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Office of LGBTQ Affairs have partnered with the Union County Surrogate’s Office to discuss this important topic on the latest Empowerment Hour, live on Zoom. The event will showcase the adoption services offered by the Union County Surrogate’s Office and provide guidance on how to safeguard valuable family assets through estate planning.
“The LGBTQ couple’s journey to parenthood is uniquely different and comes with challenges, and we hope that what we’ll discuss in this episode will better prepare you to embrace this next chapter with confidence,” said Union County Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams, Liaison to the Union County LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee. “This isn’t only about creating a family, but also about sharing your love and commitment, and building a lasting legacy with your partner. We want to encourage you to embrace every step of this adventure, knowing you have the resources and tools in place to build a successful future together.”
The LGBTQ+ Empowerment Hour will be live-streamed on the County of Union Facebook Page. Questions will be taken via Zoom and within the comments section on Facebook. To participate in the discussion, please register at ucnj.org/lgbtq.
“The Surrogate’s Office is happy to collaborate with the Office of LGBTQ Affairs on passing along vital information to our LGBTQ couples and community,” said Union County Surrogate Christopher Hudak. “When it comes to matters of adoption, it is important that you and your partner are as informed and well-prepared as can be, and I look forward to sharing with you how the Surrogate’s office can serve you during this exciting and life-changing moment.” For more information, please contact Robert Charkowsky, from the Union County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, call (908)-527-4273 or email LGBTQ@ucnj.org.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is launching the Storm-Related Emergency Home Repair Grant Program to assist senior homeowners affected by the severe storms that hit the region on July 3rd and July 14th.
This grant is available to Union County residents aged 62 and older who own and occupy a single- or two-family home that sustained damage from the recent storms. Eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners can receive up to $10,000 in funding to help cover necessary repairs—and the grant does not need to be repaid.
“After such devastating weather events, it’s vital that our seniors feel safe and supported in their own homes,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “This program is a direct investment in their recovery and in the stability of our communities. We want to make sure no one is left behind.”
To qualify, homeowners must be current on their mortgage and property taxes. Once an application is submitted, an inspection will be conducted to determine the scope of repairs needed, and a cost estimate will be prepared to establish the grant amount.
For homeowners who may need additional support beyond the $10,000 grant, Union County also offers the Home Improvement Program, which provides interest-free loans with no repayment required until the property is sold or transferred. This program is available to all income-eligible residents, regardless of age.
For more information or to begin the application process, please visit www.ucnj.org/storm or by contacting Development Directions, LLC at (732) 382-8100.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to enjoy a free evening of live music with Hey Bulldog – The Beatles Experience in Oak Ridge Park on Wednesday, August 13th.
“The music of The Beatles continues to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Hey Bulldog captures their timeless spirit and adds a new, fresh energy to their songs. We’re thrilled to welcome them to Oak Ridge Park during the Summer Arts Festival for a night of dancing, singing, and coming together, Beatles-style.”
Hey Bulldog is a group of New Jersey musicians who came together in 2004 for a casual Beatles jam on John Lennon’s birthday and haven’t looked back since. What started as a one-night gig quickly turned into the band, composed of guitarist/singer Pete Horvath, guitarist/singer Tommy Strazza, bassist/singer Gerry Rosenthal, drummer/singer Jeff Fernandes, and singer/percussionist Pat Bridge, packing bars, parties, and events all over Central Jersey. Unlike a typical Beatles tribute act, they don’t dress in costume or copy songs note for note. Instead, they bring their own rock, psychedelic, and jam-band energy to the music. Their goal is to celebrate some of the greatest music ever written and make sure everyone has a great time.
The concert begins at 7:30pm on Wednesday, August 13th at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. A free yoga class by Alluem Yoga in Cranford will be offered before the concert at 6:30pm. Hot dogs and ice cream will be available for purchase. All Summer Arts Festival events are free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Crossroads, located at 78 North Avenue in Garwood.
The Union County Summer Arts Festival is provided with support from the Union County Education Association. For more information about the Summer Arts Festival, please visit www.ucnj.org/summer25 or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying county and municipal parks Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to continue offering seasonal recycling opportunities in August. Residents are welcome to participate in this free annual program, which provides a safe and secure way to dispose of personal documents, scrap metal, and hazardous household items at designated drop-off locations throughout Union County.
“Our recycling program offers residents an easy and effective way to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for Union County,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Any amount of recycling, no matter how small, can make a difference. Properly disposing of waste, unwanted, or expired items not only protects our wildlife and civilians, but also keeps these materials out of landfills. It’s a collective step in the right direction, and one we are committed to facilitating for our community.”
Residents are encouraged to securely shred personal documents at the upcoming mobile paper shredding event, taking place on Saturday, August 16th,from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Kean University’s Kean Hall Parking Lot, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. All documents are shredded on-site, and the shredded paper is taken to a recycling facility for processing. The event will conclude before 1:00 p.m., should the trucks fill up first.
This event is part of Union County’s annual paper shredding program, which runs each year from March through October. The shredding events are open to all residents, regardless of their municipality, and are intended for the disposal of personal and sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail, and other papers through their municipal recycling program. Please remove all bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia prior to the event (staples are allowed). Pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted.
Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program also continues in August, providing residents with an opportunity to recycle various metal items. Drop-off events will be held on Thursday, August 7th, and Saturday, August 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two convenient locations:
Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. George’s Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)
Accepted items include refrigerators (with doors removed), metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, and other metal household goods. The scrap metal program runs on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, April through November.
Union County’s next Household Hazardous Waste event will take place on Saturday, September 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Kean University’s Kean Hall Parking Lot, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. At these events, residents can bring a variety of household chemicals for proper recycling or disposal. These items include, but are not limited to, oil-based finishes, motor oil, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent lightbulbs, and more. Latex (water-based) paint (wall paint) will not be accepted. Residents are advised to dry latex paint out at home using commercial paint hardener, sand, kitty litter, or sawdust. Once hardened, it can be thrown in your household trash.
All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their cars while staff unloads materials from their trunks.
Union County Recycling Programs are funded through Recycling Enhancement Act (REA) funds, which are applied for and received by the County of Union.
For a complete schedule and more information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, please visit ucnj.org/recycle/ or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator for more details about recycling in their community.
