Category: Public Info

Athletic fields at Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights will be upgraded  over the next year with funds approved last night by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The measure approved last night starts the process for design and construction for returfing the multi-use field, plus turfing a baseball field within the facility that is currently natural grass. Once those plans are completed and a project budget is announced,  the returfing of the multi-use field is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and turfing of the baseball field by early 2020.

“This is a wonderful County Park, in use all year round by people of all ages,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Over the past 15 years Union County has turned a former industrial site into a bustling and popular recreation area. It’s been a great investment.”

Freeholder Sergio Granados added: “Snyder Avenue Park is one of our best county parks. Thousands of residents use it every year, and we’re delighted to make these improvements.”

Granados appears in a video with Berkeley Heights officials, including Mayor Angela Devanney, announcing the project here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyHeightsTwpNJ

“We will be thrilled to see our residents playing on these fields once they’re completed,” said Mayor Devanney, who noted that at the time the fields were initially installed well over a decade ago, she was the Township Administrator. “The fields need to be upgraded. I have been so proud to move this project forward from its beginning days. As a mom, who has served on the PAL Board, I know how important these fields are to the community. We thank the Freeholders for making these improvements.”

Union County will re-grade, stabilize and replace the existing turf on the multipurpose field at Snyder Avenue Park. The field, originally installed in 2010, is used for Football, Soccer and Lacrosse. The grass baseball field there will also be converted to turf.

Once an industrial site, Union County purchased the parkland (17 acres) in 2004, one of the earliest purchases made by the Trust Fund, and one of the largest at that time.  The purchase saved it from a plan to develop 259 residential units there.

Most of the 17-acre park is owned and operated by Union County. In addition to the multi- purpose and Baseball fields, it includes walking pathway and trails, two playgrounds and a spray park.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that her Main Office in Elizabeth will be open for special hours on Saturday, June 1^st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute mail-in ballots for the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 4^th. The County Clerk’s Annex Office in Westfield will also be open on June 1^st for its regular Saturday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“Any registered voter can use a Vote-by-Mail ballot for any reason,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “This special Saturday opening in Elizabeth helps ensure that voters can cast their Vote-by-Mail ballot in time to participate in the Primary Election. Voters can also use our Westfield office during regular Saturday hours to cast their mail-in ballot.”

The County Clerk’s office is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, room 113 in Elizabeth. The Colleen Fraser Building is located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Both will be open on June 1^st for voters who choose the Vote-By-Mail option for the Primary Election.

Vote-by-Mail is New Jersey’s form of early voting. Under a 2005 state law, any eligible voter may vote early by using a Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Voters can obtain their Vote-by-Mail Application, receive their ballot, fill it out, and cast it in a secure lock box at the Elizabeth or Westfield offices, all in one convenient “One-Stop” visit.

Voters using the One-Stop service have until Monday, June 3^rd at 3:00 p.m. to obtain their ballot.

Under a 2017 state law, voters must show a valid New Jersey driver’s license or non-driver’s license in order to leave the ballot in a secured lock box.

To visit the Elections Office in Elizabeth during the special June 1^st hours, use the rear entrance of the Courthouse Complex and proceed to Room 113.

For complete details on Vote-by-Mail and all other election services call the County Clerk at 908-527-4996, download the free Union County Votes app or visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com .

Information on all County Clerk services is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak, Angela R. Garretson, Rebecca Williams, Andrea Staten and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Clerk of the Freeholder Board James Pellettiere, Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, Linden Council President Michele Yamakaitis, Linden Council members John Roman, Lisa Ormon and Barry Javick in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Wheeler Park Spray Park—the largest of its kind in the Union County system—in Linden.

The spray park replaces the former pool, which had been built in 1931 and witnessed a physical decline over the past two decades.

The spray park encompasses 11,000 square feet of the total 49,000 square foot area, and also contains picnic tables, ample space for lounging, gazebos for shade, artificial turf areas, and plenty of free-play space.

A new 24,000 square foot building, which replaces the old Wheeler Pool building, contains lockers, bathrooms, changing space, vending machines and mechanical and electrical facilities.

Wheeler Park is located at Route 1 and 9 between South Wood Avenue and South Stiles Street. Parking for the spray park is off W. Stimpson Avenue. Hours for the spray park are: Monday-Friday: 12-6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, holidays 11a.m.-7 p.m.

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak and Angela R. Garretson joined Clerk of the Freeholder Board James Pellettiere, Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams, VFW Post 2230 Commander Robert Jeans, Jim Daly of VFW Post 335, Boy Scouts and dozens of volunteers for the annual American flag deployment on veterans’ graves this morning at Graceland Cemetery in Kenilworth. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supplied more than 30,000 flags to mark veterans’ graves throughout Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Rebecca Williams, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Christopher Hudak present checks and resolutions to students and teachers congratulating them on winning the 2018/2019 UC STEP Start Now Grant and for participating in the UC STEP “Link Up for Life” Suicide Awareness and Prevention Civic Engagement Campaign. They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Union County Department of Economic Development.

The first place winner of the UC STEP Start Now Grant “Link Up for Life” is the Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth. The runners-up are the UC Teams Charter School and Roselle Catholic High School.

UC STEP (Union County Student Training & Enrichment Program) was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership, personal growth skills, and responsibility within their communities.

The Freeholder Board also presented a resolution and a check to Caring Contact Executive Director Janet Sarkos acknowledging the efforts of the award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community for those dealing with depression, anxiety, other sources of stress or suicidal thoughts. Caring Contact received a donation of the proceeds raised by the UC STEP “Link Up for Life” Suicide Awareness and Prevention Civic Engagement Campaign.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Bruce Bergen, the Chair of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, welcomed Nat Bottigheimer of the Regional Plan Association, a non-profit public policy agency that examines various issues, as he presented its report: “A Preventable Crisis, The Economic and Human Costs of a Hudson River Rail Tunnel Shutdown,” to the Freeholder Board. Learn more at www.raritanvalleyrail.com/news. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Sergio Granados and Angel G. Estrada present resolutions to the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee congratulating them on their 41st Grand Portuguese Day Parade in Elizabeth on June 2, 2019. The Freeholders also honored Grand Marshal Joaquim Martins. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Rebecca Williams and Andrea Staten present a resolution to Youth Empowered for Success Basketball League President Terence Johnson of Plainfield congratulating him on a successful 2019 season. They were joined by his coaches and players. The Youth Empowered for Success Basketball League was founded in 2016 by as a way to provide the Plainfield areas with a competitive level basketball league. After beginning with 180 participants, the league has grown to 260 children this past season, including players from 15 different cities in the State of New Jersey. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Ribbon cutting marks soft opening as Clubhouse will open in a few weeks

The Union County Freeholder Board joined with golfers, KemperSports and other elected officials today in cutting the ribbon on the brand, new state-of-the-art Ash Brook Golf Course Clubhouse, which will open to the public in a few weeks.

The new, 21,000 square foot clubhouse has plenty to offer golfers and non-golfers. It houses a first-class, full-service restaurant and bar — called The Tavern At Ash Brook — with a terrace and capacity for 120 people. The restaurant features American comfort classics with specialty cocktails, wines and craft beers from local providers.

The clubhouse also features a full retail pro shop, administrative offices and public restrooms, as well as an underground cart barn for a new electric fleet of 90 carts, and a full service return stand.

“Union County is a statewide leader in this sport, and has earned a reputation as the home of public golf,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The opening of the Ash Brook Clubhouse solidifies our standing, as our courses are well-known for their playability, customer service and top-notch restaurants for all to enjoy.”

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella said: “Today, Ash Brook takes its place alongside our Galloping Hill Golf Course as one of the top courses in the state. This opening completes a nearly decade-long transformation of our once-decaying golf operations into a profit center for the County. I am proud of what our vision has been able to accomplish, and our residents have another regional destination for recreation and dining.”

KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner said: “We are very excited to include the clubhouse as a new offering for the already stellar golf at Ash Brook. The new addition to the course will only add to the outstanding golf experience at Ash Brook.”

In recent years, the County completed a golf course renovation project at Ash Brook with famed architect Rees Jones. The scope of work included updating course drainage, tree work and bunkers, which were renovated and rebuilt to industry standards. The end result is a golf course that is amenable for golfers of all skill levels.

Ash Brook Golf Course features 7,040 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course was designed by Alfred Tull and opened in 1953. Ash Brook is a parkland style golf course with tree lined fairways and large greens. Ash Brook has four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.

In addition to the 18-hole facility, Ash Brook offers a Pitch & Putt course for players of all ages that has proven to be a family favorite in the community. The Pitch & Putt course features 673 yards of golf for a par of 27.

In January 2010, KemperSports began managing Ash Brook Golf Course as part of the Union County Golf Properties. KemperSports is recognized as a leader in the golf course management industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the facility.

For more information on Ash Brook Golf Course, please go to www.ashbrookgolfcourse.com/

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Andrea Staten, Rebecca Williams and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined Assemblywoman Linda Carter in welcoming the keynote speaker Linda Wellbrock, founder of Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Secretary of the Climate Reality Action Fund, to the annual Union County Women Mean Business skill building seminar and networking event at the Clubhouse at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. More details about Union County Women Mean Business are available online at ucnj.org/ucmb. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)