Enjoy tree-watching in Union County parks

Union County residents and visitors can learn about distinctive trees in Union County parks by following specially marked “tree trails.” Each tree can be identified by a green and white tag on its trunk, featuring the name of its species, along with a QR code that links to more details online.

The tree trails are a project of the Master Tree Stewards of Union County, a volunteer program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, with support from the Union County Commissioner Board.

“The tree trails provide our residents and visitors with new opportunities to learn about the natural systems preserved by our county parks, and we thank the Master Tree Steward volunteers for their efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of trees throughout our community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairperson Sergio Granados. “Trees are essential to the ecosystem of our parks and to the quality of life in our neighborhoods, too.”

The most recent addition to the tree trail project was created last summer in Union County’s Conant Park in Hillside. The trees were marked by a group of certified Master Tree Stewards, including project organizer Dean Talcott, along with Eileen Martines, Clare Minick, Carol Puchalski, Tom Beisler, Mike Dimakos and Jerry Petz.

Visitors to the new Conant Park tree trail can identify green ash, pin oak, black locust, red cedar, Norway maple, gray birch, sugar maple, London plane tree, black birch, American beech, northern red oak, tulip tree, American sycamore, silver maple, white ash,

American basswood, northern catalpa and sweetgum. Additional Union County tree trails are located in Oak Ridge Park in Clark, trail starts near the east end of the parking lot; Briant Park in Summit; Cedar Brook in Plainfield; Echo Lake Park in Mountainside; Echo Lake Extension, trail starts behind the Mountainside municipal building; Meisel Park in Springfield; Nomahegan Park in Cranford; Phil Rizzuto Park in Elizabeth; Rahway River Park in Rahway; Sensory Friendly Trail in Mountainside; and Warinanco Park in Elizabeth. For more information about the tree trails and to learn more about trees in Union County, visit ucnj.org/treetrails. To learn more about the Master Tree Stewards and other volunteer programs of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, visit ucnj.org/rce.

Union County Board of Elections administrator Nicole DiRado informs voters of important information leading up to the primary election on Tuesday, June 6.

As a result of legislative redistricting in New Jersey, following the 2020 Census, the following towns have been reassigned to a new legislative district: Cranford: District 22; Hillside: District 28; Kenilworth: District 20; and Roselle Park: District 22.

The Union County secure ballot drop boxes are open and ready to accept vote- by-mail ballots. The secure ballot drop boxes are under camera surveillance 24/7; available to voters 24/7 and the ballots are picked up by a bi-partisan team, pursuant to state guidelines, with a police escort.

To check to ensure your ballot has been received by the Union County Board of Elections, go to the Track My Ballot link on thewww.njelections.org website. A complete list of secure ballot drop boxes in Union County can be found at www.ucnj.org/ucboe.

“Voting drop boxes provide easier means for residents to cast their votes early while still ensuring the voter’s right to a secret ballot,” DiRado said.

“These drop boxes were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and have proven to be highly popular with residents looking to cast a Vote-by-Mail ballot.”

The complete list of election districts and certified polling places is also available on the UCBOE website at ucnj.org/ucboe.

As a result of redistricting, two new election districts have been created: New Providence District 12 and Springfield District 15. Also, six election districts have new polling locations.

All voters affected by the legislative district changes, election district changes or polling place changes will receive a postcard notification.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4123.