Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The trails are still soggy, the trees are bare, and the outlook is for snow on Friday, but witch hazel blossoms, songbirds and other signs of spring are already appearing in Union County parks.

“If your favorite hiking trail is still muddy, come and enjoy a stroll along one of our many paved pathways,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Several of the facilities in our parks are in the process of an upgrade, so if you’re planning a visit please be aware of some ongoing work.”

Among the parks where construction is still under way, Briant Park in Summit is receiving a new gazebo and other improvements, and the Lake Surprise dam in the Watchung Reservation is being replaced.

Water in the lake is low while work is going on, but Lake Surprise is still a beautiful spot for hiking and bird-watching. County residents looking for an opportunity to go fishing or boating can use other County parks such as Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Recently upgraded facilities include a newly turfed athletic field at Warinanco Park in Roselle, along with new seating and lights.

“The turf and lights are essential because they enable us to extend the usable period for existing fields,” Jalloh noted. “By upgrading the resources we already have, we can welcome more users to enjoy these public facilities without the costs and impacts involved in building additional fields.”

Rahway River Park is currently in the planning stages for one such upgrade. As with the field at Warinanco Park, an existing multi-purpose athletic field – which is unusable for long periods during and after wet weather – will be covered with artificial turf, and lights will be installed. The existing track around the field will also be refurbished.

In partnership with the City of Rahway, the field will also receive standard aluminum bleachers to seat up to 1200 persons, along with other amenities.

Rahway River Park was built to include nature conservation, organized sports, and passive recreation. The existing multi-purpose field is located within a developed area original to the design of the park, which dates back to the 1920’s.

Along with the field, the developed area includes five baseball diamonds, a swimming pool with related facilities, four combination tennis/pickleball courts, and a basketball court.

“When the upgrade is complete, Rahway residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a new field with modern amenities, without encroaching on the nature conservation areas of the park,” said Jalloh. “This upgrade is fully consistent with the legacy of our historic parks system, which since the 1920’s has had the twin goals of preserving open space while providing the public with ample opportunities for recreation.”

In addition to recreational activities, every year Union County parks host hundreds of community volunteers who participate in cleanup, beautification, and restoration projects. To join in, visit Union County Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail online at ucnj.org, or call 908-789-3683.

For more information on Union County parks, including a searchable list of activities, visit ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

(From left) Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen and Freeholders Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski met with Meals On Wheels Executive Director Donna Sullivan at the agency’s headquarters in Linden to promote this month’s March for Meals campaign. The non-profit agency delivers up to 1,500 meals a day to homebound seniors in Union County. The program is primarily supported by a grant from the Union County Division on Aging, as well as donations from private sources and public organizations. If you would like to know more about the organization or are interested in volunteering or making a donation call 908-486–5100. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Come out and visit the Teen Arts Festival on Thursday and Friday at Union County College’s Cranford campus from 9:30am to 2:00pm.  Featuring visual and performing art from students from around Union County. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County, NJ – Freeholder Sergio Granados joined Meals on Wheels volunteers at SAGE Eldercare earlier this week to mark the annual March for Meals campaign and National Nutrition Month. Sage Eldercare annually serve over 7,000 individuals directly and 48,000 through outreach primarily in Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex counties. They offer a comprehensive array of programs and services for older adults and caregivers, promoting independence and quality of life.

Union County Youth Services has moved to a new location at 288 North Broad Street, Suite 3A in Elizabeth. Office hours are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The mission of our Youth Services Division is to help young people reach their full potential by enabling them to connect with opportunities for learning and personal growth. This new location will help us work more effectively with clients and the many stakeholders that help support this essential service,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh.

Youth Services offers 24/7 family crisis intervention and referral services, delinquency prevention services and programs, weekly bi-lingual parenting support groups,  event presentations, and community service opportunities for high school students.

Individuals, businesses, nonprofits and other organizations interested in learning more about Union County Youth Services’ resources and initiatives can call 908-558-2520 or visit our website at ucnj.org/youth.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free springtime training course is available for persons interested in becoming confidential Volunteer Advocates for victims of sexual violence.

The course provides volunteers with training in crisis counseling and medical/legal accompaniment in a supportive, empathetic environment.

Upon successful completion, volunteer advocates will be qualified to answer hotline calls and offer in-person support through the Union County Rape Crisis Center (UCRCC), a long-running program of the Union County Department of Human Services. The UCRCC has provided reliable, confidential guidance to victims of sexual violence since 1984.

“Sexual violence affects people from all walks of life. The Freeholder Board is extremely proud of our volunteer advocates, who provide support and help restore a sense of community and self-worth to our fellow Union County residents facing a significant life crisis,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If you are looking for a worthwhile volunteer activity, I encourage you to contact the Union County Rape Crisis Center and ask about the upcoming training program.”

Current Advocates often describe the experience as rewarding, something they would highly recommend.

Advocate Sue (Advocates use first names only) said, “Volunteering at the UCRCC is important to me. I want survivors of sexual assault to know they have total support from the advocates at the UCRCC at a very critical time in their lives. It’s important for them to know they are not alone. My advice to prospective advocates is to really commit and do it with your heart.”

Advocate Stefanie added, “Hearing the stories and being in the presence of a victim is not always easy, but knowing that we are there to help is the most rewarding feeling. I’m proud to be a part of a team that is always there for one another. The bond that we share is indescribable!”

The next training course will begin on Thursday evening, April 16, and continue for 12 more sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until June 2. There is no session on Tuesday, May 12.

The training will take place at the Colleen Fraser County services building, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age. They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, each volunteer will come to the UCRCC office for an informal interview.

To find out more about volunteering and to schedule a potential interview, call 908-233-7273.  For more information about the UCRCC, including personal stories by volunteers, visit the UCRCC blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Image credit: Aidan Jones via flickr.com, creative commons license.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen, Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Christopher Hudak, Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter, Angel G. Estrada, Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi march in the 19th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Morris Avenue in Union.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce an early spring guided nature hike, for adults 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

This program offers an opportunity to walk deeper into the reservation and experience the beauty of the woods.   A Trailside naturalist will lead a guided hike along one of the bucolic trails in the Watchung Reservation.   Participants will learn to identify some of the trees, observe signs of animal activity and learn the ways in which plants and animals adapt to the season.  Please dress appropriately for the weather.  The fee is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out of county residents. Pre-registration is recommended. 

“This is a unique opportunity to experience nature on an interpretive hike with a professional naturalist.   It’s a great way to spend the morning before you start your Saturday activities, says Freeholder Chairman, Mohamed S. Jalloh.

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. For more information about this workshop or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on our website at www.ucnj.org/trailside.