The Union County Freeholder Board proudly invites families and residents to the grand opening of the Wheeler Park Spray Park—the largest of its kind in the County system—in Linden on Saturday, May 25^th.

Doors are open from 11 a.m-7 p.m., and admission is free to the state-of-the-art facility. The Freeholders will hold a ribbon cutting marking the opening of the Spray Park at 1 p.m. All residents are invited to attend. In the event of a postponement due to weather, the ribbon cutting will be held the next day, Sunday, May 26^th, at 1 p.m.

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.

Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski stated:

“With the opening of the spray park, the Freeholder Board has completed yet another step in a process that is not only renovating our parks system but also providing more recreational opportunities for our residents,” Kowalski said. “The Wheeler Park Spray Park is an impressive facility that generations of our residents will enjoy.”

Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of  Linden who championed the project, said:

“We have built what will become a countywide attraction for our families to enjoy.  This Freeholder Board has continued to make upgrades to Wheeler Park, transforming it into one of the County’s best recreational facilities. We are looking forward to marking a great day for Linden and the County of Union as a whole.”

The spray park, which is the largest of eight spray facilities the County maintains in its parks system,  contains 33 above ground attractions, including water cannons, a full-size dragon, slides, fake palm trees, dump buckets, a psychedelic spray bus, and a multi-function pirate ship and surf shack.

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.

An entrance and ticketing building near the parking lot will house nurse and lifeguard quarters. The Spray Park was designed by USA Architects and constructed by Billy Contracting and Restoration Inc. of Pine Brook, NJ.

As Freeholder Hudak noted, the spray park announcement is among the latest in a series of high-profile improvements at the park in recent years, including the opening of a new skate park, new softball and soccer turf fields with lights, and a new playground.  The park was also enabled for Wi-Fi in 2014.

Wheeler 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 ten others in the Union County parks system.

St. Michael Church will host its third annual Memorial Day Parish Picnic, Monday, May 27, 12:00-3:00 p.m. following the township memorial service. The picnic will take place alongside the church on Miln Street. There will be food, music, games, crafts, and fun for all ages!

There will also be a collection for Operation Chillout at the picnic.

The Borough of Roselle Park presents the 19th “National Night Out” on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Michael Mauri Gazebo Park, Chestnut Street.

National Night Out is a community-building event that aims to include everyone in Roselle Park. The event is sponsored by the Roselle Park Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch program, a group that wants to do more than just crime prevention, but instead create a “community network to provide a safer place to live.” 

The Roselle Park Police Department, Fire Department, and Union County EMS invite you and your family to learn about safety. Some of the safety topics will be bike, water, crime, and fire safety. You can also enjoy live music, games, and free giveaways. Police cars and trucks, as well as fire trucks will join the National Night Out, so that children can learn more about the vehicles.

The evening should truly be an affair for the whole family to enjoy. Do not forget to turn your porch light on that evening to show your support against crime. 

For more information, please call Detective Rich Cocca at 908-245-6187 or [email protected].

Join the staff of the Rutgers Geology Museum for an interactive activity to learn how scientists communicate with and pilot the Mars Rover from over 140 million miles away! Activity followed by a hands-on, space-themed craft and time to “Ask the Geologist.”

Cause 4 Paws will be at Pet Supplies Plus in Garwood for Clear the Shelters Day 2019! Come on down and meet your new #BestFriend!

It’s back – Downtown Cranford’s Annual Lego Contest! This contest is for all of the creative kids out there, with prizes for the winners in each age group. We hope you can join us for this great event that brings out the kids in all of us.

The Cranford Alliance Church is holding a parenting seminar September 28 from 9 am to 3 pm at the church on Saturday, September 28. The seminar will be led by Drs. Ron and Wanda Walborn. Lunch will be provided and registration is $15.

Ron & Wanda, married for 35 years, have 4 adult children and growing numbers of grandchildren.  Ron is the Dean of Alliance Theological Seminary, NYC and Board Member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance US.  Wanda is the Dean of Spiritual Formation at Nyack College and the Director of Empower Women Worldwide.

Hanson Park Conservancy’s 9th Annual Rubber Ducky Derby is scheduled once again for Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 4 pm. On race day, over one-thousand individually numbered rubber ducks will be released in the Rahway River at Sperry Park, Cranford NJ and tumble over the falls racing to the finish line at the North Union Ave Bridge. Numerous prizes for the fastest lucky duckies will be awarded. The top prize is a $250.00 gift card.

Tickets can be purchased at two locations: Periwinkles, on North Union Avenue downtown Cranford, or the Cranford Canoe Club on Springfield Ave. Purchase a single Duck for $5.00 or a flock of 5 ducks for $20.00. Please secure your tickets early as ducks are limited and the race has been known to sell out.

All proceeds benefit Hanson Park maintenance and educational programs. If you have not yet walked through this lovely little park, please visit this hidden gem located at 38 Springfield Ave. Have you got your Ducky?

Visit your local Lightbridge Academy during Open House Week from October 14th – October 18th. If you enroll for the first time during the week of the Open House, you will also receive one week free! The Solution for Working Parents offers programs for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. The center has Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum in addition to sign language, music, Spanish, and STEM education. Lightbridge Academy has interactive whiteboard and iPad technology in addition to offering families ParentView Internet Monitoring and a Parent eCommunication app to stay connected all day long. There is also an extended day schedule, large outdoor play areas and state-of-the-art security systems. Learn more by visiting our website.

Visit your local Lightbridge Academy during Open House Week from October 14th – October 18th. If you enroll for the first time during the week of the Open House, you will also receive one week free! The Solution for Working Parents offers programs for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. The center has Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum in addition to sign language, music, Spanish, and STEM education. Lightbridge Academy has interactive whiteboard and iPad technology in addition to offering families ParentView Internet Monitoring and a Parent eCommunication app to stay connected all day long. There is also an extended day schedule, large outdoor play areas and state-of-the-art security systems. Learn more by visiting our website.

Visit your local Lightbridge Academy during Open House Week from October 14th – October 18th. If you enroll for the first time during the week of the Open House, you will also receive one week free! The Solution for Working Parents offers programs for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. The center has Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum in addition to sign language, music, Spanish, and STEM education. Lightbridge Academy has interactive whiteboard and iPad technology in addition to offering families ParentView Internet Monitoring and a Parent eCommunication app to stay connected all day long. There is also an extended day schedule, large outdoor play areas and state-of-the-art security systems. Learn more by visiting our website.

Visit your local Lightbridge Academy during Open House Week from October 14th – October 18th. If you enroll for the first time during the week of the Open House, you will also receive one week free! The Solution for Working Parents offers programs for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. The center has Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum in addition to sign language, music, Spanish, and STEM education. Lightbridge Academy has interactive whiteboard and iPad technology in addition to offering families ParentView Internet Monitoring and a Parent eCommunication app to stay connected all day long. There is also an extended day schedule, large outdoor play areas and state-of-the-art security systems. Learn more by visiting our website.

Visit your local Lightbridge Academy during Open House Week from October 14th – October 18th. If you enroll for the first time during the week of the Open House, you will also receive one week free! The Solution for Working Parents offers programs for infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. The center has Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum in addition to sign language, music, Spanish, and STEM education. Lightbridge Academy has interactive whiteboard and iPad technology in addition to offering families ParentView Internet Monitoring and a Parent eCommunication app to stay connected all day long. There is also an extended day schedule, large outdoor play areas and state-of-the-art security systems. Learn more by visiting our website.

Join us on October 19th, 2019 for the 21st Annual Red Ribbon Day and Drug Prevention Walk! Our event is a countywide kickoff celebrating Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Week throughout Union County. Red Ribbon is celebrated locally and nationally to increase awareness and support for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. Join us the day of and walk to prevent drug abuse. Immediately following the Walk we will kick off our Family Fun Day with many activities for kids and informational health exhibitors.

Bring the KIDS to The Chelsea at Fanwood for Pumpkin Decorating!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
EVERYTHING IS SUPPLIED!
RSVP BY OCT. 21, 908-654-5200. LIMITED SEATING.

Cranford 2019 Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Chunkin’
1:00 pm Gathering & Registration (Cranford Community Center Parking Lot)
1:30 pm Judging
2:00 pm Parade
2:30 pm Pumpkin Chunkin (Gazebo at Fire Department)
Awards to follow