Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders celebrated the ninth annual Union County—UNICO District X Columbus Day Flag raising event at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

The program, which was emceed by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, featured speakers from UNICO and County government along with Catiana Celentano, founder and owner of the Let’s Play in Italian Language and Cultural Center in Scotch Plains, and Nick Netta, of Netta Architects in Mountainside.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Angel Estrada and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi were in attendance.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today broke ground on the Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail, the first of its kind in the county, that will be accessible to all and allow residents to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings at the Trailside Nature and Science Center.

“Access to the outdoors and nature is important to the health, well-being and education of all individuals regardless of age, location or physical capabilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support this project and others that provide equal access.”

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said: “The sensory trail is specially designed for all park visitors and provides a way to safely experience the outdoors and provide opportunities to interact with nature. The Freeholder Board is committed to providing children and adults of all abilities access to recreational opportunities.”

The Watchung Reservation Sensory Trail is a 0.3 mile loop with a central gazebo.  The interpretive signage includes two talking kiosks highlighting the natural and human history of the Watchung Reservation.  

In addition, the 0.2 mile braille trail loop with guide ropes features multiple stops to learn about the local flora and fauna.  The central gazebo offers a sensory play area to attract children and encourage exploration and discovery. 

Sensory stimulation is provided through sensory gardens, musical components and nature-themed play structures designed to meet the physical, social and cognitive needs of different age groups. These areas provide tactile experiences and create opportunities to enjoy the touch, sound and smells of the outdoors.  

Trailside Nature & Science Center will utilize the new Sensory Trail and offer educational programs to allow students and families an opportunity to explore nature and gain a better understanding of the natural world around them.

The trail stretches from the Trailside Center and into fields surrounding the center and will be two outdoor classrooms along the trail (log and acorn searing) where naturalists can gather groups and/or make presentations.

The project was designed by CME Associates Consulting and Municipal Engineers, which is based out of six offices in New Jersey. The project contractor is Pavelec Brothers from Nutley, NJ. The cost of the project is $652,000 and construction is expected to begin shortly with completion by the end of February.

Over the past few years, the Freeholder Board has supported both sensory friendly productions at the Union County Performing Arts Center and the creation of the County’s first inclusive playground at Mattano Park in Elizabeth. The Freeholder Board is currently planning to support the creation of more inclusive playgrounds through the Open Space Trust Fund later this year. Additionally, the County continues to provide recreational programs that promote inclusion and social events for people with special needs through the Office of the County Parks Director.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce “Level the Playing Field,” a new grant program that provides funding for local playground upgrades that enable children with disabilities to enjoy healthy outdoor activities with their families, friends and neighbors.

All 21 municipalities in Union County are eligible to apply for the program, which will provide a total of $300,000 in grants through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The grants can go to add accessible elements to existing playgrounds, or to establish new playgrounds with accessible elements.

“Level the Playing Field 2017 is designed to assist in meeting the needs of the special needs populations throughout the County of Union.  The County of Union has accessible playgrounds and accessible playground elements throughout the county park system. Helping to address this on the municipal level will propel our county forward as a model for others throughout the State of New Jersey,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Trust Fund Committee and is liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

“Inclusive, accessible playgrounds benefit everyone. They offer all the opportunity to play alongside one another and help to create a sense of community. People with disabilities enjoy the benefits of active play, including social skills and overall health.  At the same time, people without disabilities learn valuable lessons about the world, including that everyone has similarities and differences,” Granados explained. “Every person should be able to enjoy a playground in or near their neighborhood that takes away the barriers of exclusion, both physical and social, providing a ‘sensory rich’ experience for all.”

“The new grant program reaffirms the Freeholder Board’s commitment to inclusion and equality for all County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “By helping to make County parks and local playgrounds more accessible, we encourage more families to practice healthier habits and form closer bonds with friends and neighbors.”

One recent highlight of accessibility improvements in County parks is last year’s opening of the first fully accessible playground in Union County. Located in Mattano Park in Elizabeth, the new playground features a Merry-Go-All, Roller Slide, Roller Table, Swing Seats and more.

The Freeholder Board also broke ground today, October 20, for the construction of Union County’s first all-inclusive Sensory Trial. The new 0.3 mile loop in the Watchung Reservation includes a braille trail with rope guides and nature-themed play structures among other elements designed for the enjoyment of all visitors to the park.

Applications for Level the Playing Field were mailed to each of the 21 municipalities today. The deadline for submission is December 19.

The new grant initiative complements ongoing County recreation and enrichment programs for people with physical and cognitive impairments, including the Sensory Friendly Theatre series sponsored by the Freeholder Board at the Union County Performing Arts Center, and programs for people with disabilities at the County’s Ulrich Swimming Pool, Watchung Stables and Trailside Nature and Science Center.

The Freeholder Board also provides funding for inclusive events including annual fishing derbies, an ice skating social, summer carnival and barn dance, as well as programs for popular activities including golf, karate, yoga and volleyball.

Photo caption (photo attached): Union County’s new “Level the Playing Field” grant program will help municipalities improve access to playgrounds. Pictured here, last fall Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Christopher Hudak and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Union County Manager Alfred Faella, members of the Elizabeth City Council and Board of Education to officially opening the county’s first inclusive public playground in Mattano Park in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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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 Union County history trading cards are available at Four Centuries In A Weekend sites

Union County, NJ — While you may still be searching for that lost Mookie Wilson or Bucky Dent card, children of all ages are invited to hunt down and collect Union County’s new History Trading Cards this weekend.

Historic sites across Union County that are celebrating the Four Centuries In A Weekend history event will have cards to give out, from Alexander Hamilton, who studied at Snyder Academy in Elizabeth, to George Washington, who commanded the troops at the Battle of the Short Hills from the Drake House in Plainfield.

While the Founding Fathers are well represented, from David Brearley — a signer of the US Constitution on behalf of New Jersey — who can be found at the Nitschke House in Kenilworth, to Abraham Clark, in Roselle and Clark, there are cards involving lesser known, but important figures in Union County’s 400-year history.

As part of Four Centuries In A Weekend, Union County’s Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is rolling out the History Trading Card series for youngsters to learn more about the history of the people and events that shaped Union County — and the country — we know today.

“We live in a County that is so rich in history — and I’m not talking just about the Revolution –I’m talking about a County whose residents played vital roles in every century since New Jersey was first settled in the 1600s,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

“When babies are born and they want to check to see if they’re okay,” Bergen said, “they administer the Apgar test. Dr. Virginia Apgar, who invented that test, lived in Westfield.”

The Apgar card can be found at the Westfield Historical Society on Mountain Avenue.

Last year, the Cultural & Heritage Affairs Office, part of the Union County Parks Department, developed the first cards in the Union County Across the Centuries series: Alexander Hamilton, William Livingston, Jonathan Dayton and Hannah Caldwell.  Youngsters at the 2016 Four Centuries In A Weekend event had so much fun collecting the cards that work continued, with nearly 20 cards now in the series and more on the way.

Because the County celebrated the 240^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Short Hills in June with a reenactment of the battle at Oak Ridge Park, the initial focus was on the Revolutionary War era. As the program rolls out, there will be cards from across Union County’s history.

To see some of the cards now available, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/trading-cards.

For more information on the trading cards, Four Centuries In A Weekend and all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and activities call 908-558-2550 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Did you know there are miles of paved greenways that meander through Union County Parks—and they are perfect for strollers and wheelchairs and walking, running and biking?

If your answer is no, then you should meet up with the Freewalkers at Echo Lake Park on Sunday, Nov. 5 and get to learn about all the new paths to explore.

The Freewalkers, together with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation is co-sponsoring the family-friendly walking event which encourages families and individuals to walk and enjoy the beautiful trail resources that are available here in Union County.

Stroll and Roll will get started at the Gazebo in Echo Lake Park with a rolling start between 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. The trek will follow the park trail to nearby Lenape Park, eventually connecting to the East Coast Greenway/Sept. 11 National Memorial Trail in Kenilworth.

Participants can walk the four-mile round-trip, or  opt for the one-mile route, which is the minimum to earn recognition for your efforts. The event should last until 2:00 p.m. Kids will receive a certificate of accomplishment, a medal and gifts.

“Stroll and Roll is an event that gives families the opportunity to explore the trails of our parks while getting exercise learning the history of the trails,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Residents are encouraged to take advantage of a wonderful day out along this scenic pedestrian highway.”

Stroll and Roll is a free event, open to anyone who would like to participate along with strollers, carriages, bicycles and wheelchairs, at your own pace. It is not a race, but an opportunity to walk at a comfortable pace and enjoy the experience while learning about trails and walking along the way.

There will be games and surprises, and park staff and naturalists will be available to answer your questions about the trail and the parks involved.

Sponsors are welcome to participate in a number of ways. For more information, contact Yohana Osorio at 973-885-3146, or get more information online at strollroll.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils, gems and jewelry at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.

“This two-day event, open to the public, brings the world of rocks and gems to life with many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society and the New Jersey Lapidary Society, the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.  Geologists young and old will be mesmerized by the variety of specimens on display and for sale.  Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces.  Free children’s activities are available.  Admission to the event on both days is free.

For more information about the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show call Trailside at 908-789-3670.  Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on programs offered this fall at Trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders joined with Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp and members of City Council and the Board of Education in breaking ground on two new turf fields at Cedar Brook Park.  The fields, which replace existing grass sports fields,  are expected to be completed by next summer.

“Cedar Brook park is one of the most popular parks in the County system, and it was designed as much for recreational use as it was for aesthetic beauty,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We look forward to providing improved recreational amenities in the park for our youth.”

Freeholder Linda Carter, a resident of Plainfield and a member of the Freeholder Board’s Parks Standing Committee added: “Our recreational facilities continue to be in great demand, and the new turf will help ensure that these fields recover more quickly from usage and inclement weather and provide more opportunities for use. Over the past decade, we have continued to make upgrades to Cedar Brook which has elevated its standing as top-notch park and recreational destination.”

Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp added: “Cedar Brook Park is one of Plainfield’s great attractions, and we are looking forward to the upgrades and improvements to the fields that will increase recreational opportunities for our youth and older active adults.”

Others in attendance included: Plainfield City Council President Rebeccca Williams, City Council Vice President Barry Goode, and Councilmembers Joylette Mills-Ransome, Bridget Rivers, Charles McCrae, and Board of Education member Carmencita Pile.

New Jersey State Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), whose district includes Plainfield, Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, and Winfield, and was involved in the planning process, added:

“Cedar Brook draws visitors from Plainfield and beyond, and these significant new upgrades will ensure that more people can come and enjoy this valuable public asset,” said Green.

Work is expected to begin on the fields in November, and the project will include lighting, sidewalks, small bleachers, team benches and 18 additional parking spots. One field will be multi-use for soccer, football and lacrosse; the other will be a “junior” field for soccer usage.

The project, which is funded by the County, will cost $1.7 million and was designed by the Maser Consulting engineering firm of Red Bank, NJ. The contractor is the Abraham Construction Company of West Orange, NJ.

Over recent years, the County has made a series of improvements to Cedar Brook Park, which contains popular attractions such as its tennis courts and the Shakespeare Gardens, which have received recent upgrades.  The County has also installed a new spray park, playground, restrooms, and a new shed for the cricket field.

Over the next year, the County is also planning to install a handicapped-accessible fishing dock at the pond and make passive improvements (walking path and benches) to the Stelle Avenue branch of the park.

Cedar Brook Park was developed in 1925 by the Union County Park Commission, and was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the noted engineering firm that designed a series of historic landmark parks in urban areas. Their list of projects includes Central Park in New York City and five others in the Union County parks system—Wheeler Park, Warinanco Park, Echo Lake Park, Green Brook Park and the Watchung Reservation.

Cedar Brook Park is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.  Improvements have been designed with consideration of the original Olmsted Brothers design for the park.

The park is a popular

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel, Kean University President Dawood Farahi, faculty and students at the official signing of the Kean University and Union County College Joint Admission Agreement at the Union County College campus in Cranford. Students now have a seamless path to a bachelor’s degree at Kean University with the Joint Admissions Program agreement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

In spite of its name, the Deserted Village of Feltville receives thousands of visitors every month.  More than 2,500 visitors are expected on this coming weekend alone for the Village’s annual open house during Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend” program.  Even those who have been to the Deserted Village before will find lots of new things to see at the historic site in Union County’s largest park, the Watchung Reservation.

Staffed activities will occur at the Deserted Village from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22.  Visitors may pick up a map and narrative at Feltville’s parking lot for a self-guided tour.  Or take a leisurely ride and see most of the Village’s buildings and grounds from a narrated hayride, which will run continuously both days.

If you are interested in a more detailed excursion, join the ghost of David Felt at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday for a 1-mile/2 hour tour of the factory town that he built in 1845 to house a printing mill and the 175 people who worked in his mill, on his farm, in his store or school, or in other occupations.  On Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Mr. Felt will provide a 30-minute long armchair tour on the porch of his general store for those who don’t have the time or stamina to make the walking tour.  At other times, the ghost of David Felt will be available at the general store to converse with visitors.

Would you rather read more about it?   Fifteen professionally prepared interpretive signs will be formally “unveiled” during the Four Centuries celebration.  They use text and photographs to provide both a general history and very specific stories about the Deserted Village.

In one of his movies, Indiana Jones said that in archaeology, X never marks the spot.  But take a tour of the Deserted Village at 3:00 pm on Sunday, and learn how an X on the ground yielded not only a great assemblage of artifacts, but also revealed an interesting social history.  The tours will be led by Matthew Tomaso, Dr. Richard Veit, and Carissa Scarpa, all of whom are professional archaeologists who have conducted archaeological investigations at the Deserted Village.  And children can get their hands dirty digging for artifacts throughout the weekend.

At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Revolutionary War historian and author Robert Mayers will speak in Masker’s Barn about General George Washington’s troop movements in the Watchung Mountains.  His talk will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing.

“We are fortunate to have an author of Mayers’ caliber come to talk with Union County residents about the Revolutionary War history in their own backyard,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski.  “When the County created the Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail several years ago, we recognized the route Washington’s retreating forces took up what is now New Providence Road – just to the west of where everyone will be listening to Mayers’ presentation.”

The original settler of the area that is now the Watchung Reservation, Peter Willcocks, built a sawmill in the Blue Brook Valley in 1736 and supplied lumber to farmers as they built farms in what was then the frontier of America.  Four Centuries visitors will find Peter’s son, John, in the Deserted Village cemetery, visiting the graves of his mother, Phebe Badgely Willcocks and other relatives.  John was a New Jersey militia soldier who was killed early in the Revolutionary War, during the retreat of Washington’s army from Fort Lee. 

Because of those Revolutionary War connections, Union County is now one of 14 counties formally designated for inclusion in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.  Since the Crossroads program is administered by the National Park Service, visitors are now able to get their Passport to Your National Parks stamped in the Deserted Village’s general store.  If you have not started to collect National Park Passports stamps yet, you can make the Deserted Village your first stop and buy a Passport right in the store.

Some visitors are expected to travel to Feltville from other states to take part in the Four Centuries program, and to get their NPS Passports stamped.  Whether coming from near or far, up to eight families will, for the first time, be able to stay in the Deserted Village for the weekend in their own recreational vehicles.  Permit applications are available at www.ucnj.org/dv.

The Church/Store Building was built by David Felt in 1845 to serve the needs of his mill town inhabitants.  The general store downstairs and the church upstairs met the Feltville residents’ needs, both materially and spiritually.  Today the general store serves as the Village Visitor Center and is open to the public most Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.  Exhibits of artifacts, photographs and maps depict the Village’s history across four centuries.  Starting this weekend, the Visitor Center will be a general store again, with nostalgic candy, snacks, toys and games on sale.  A food vendor will be grilling nearby for those who want something more substantial to eat or drink.  Picnic tables are available for families wanting to pack a lunch.

David Felt’s store provided the residents of Feltville with food from his 600-acre farm, which included livestock and apple and peach orchards.  A small apple orchard was recreated along Cataract Hollow Road earlier this year.  A hands-on demonstration of apples being pressed into cider will be ongoing throughout the Four Centuries weekend.

Children will be excited to play old-fashioned children’s games on the Deserted Village’s grass tennis court.  They can also buy a small pumpkin and draw a face on it.  And at the general store, they can learn from a schoolmarm how to write with a goose quill pen and ink.

All are welcome to tour the beautifully restored circa-1882 Masker’s Barn carriage house.  Outside the Barn, sit for a while and roast marshmallows at the new campfire ring.

All activities for the Four Centuries weekend are rain or shine, and most are free of charge. Enter the Deserted Village via Cataract Hollow Road, off of Glenside Avenue (GPS address – 1 Cataract Hollow Road, Berkeley Heights). Wear warm clothes and sturdy walking shoes.

For additional information about the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park, visit the County website at www.ucnj.org/DV.   Tickets are already sold out for Haunted Hayrides that will run at the Deserted Village on Oct. 27-29.  Information about over 30 other Four Centuries in a Weekend sites is available from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, (908) 558-2550, or on the Union County website at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/.