Events
Recent
Unami Park Maintenance Event – Oct 5th
We had a great turnout of volunteers! Together we removed overgrown and suffocating, non-native stilt grass and covered it with cardboard. We pulled, raked, and removed 3 trailers full of invasive weeds! The team then covered the cardboard with wood chips that were generously delivered by Union County. We appreciate that Garwood LIDL supermarket generously donated the cardboard and refreshments for the volunteers!
The Green Team has about a dozen native tree seedlings which we hope to plant in November 2024. By next spring, these plants will emerge and begin to return the open areas to native plants which will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This should make the area more attractive for trail users and hopefully soon the invasive species will be just a bad memory!
Roselle Park Arts Festival – Sept 28th
The weather was rainy and cold so turnout was much less than usual. Despite the weather, we still represented our cause and were able to showcase our new banners for the first time!
We always enjoy being at this event – art everywhere, excellent music and good food. We can’t wait to have trails more accessible so people can bike/walk from neighboring towns to get here!
Vintage City Art Gallery – Sept 25th
Vintage Offices in Elizabeth held an Art Exhibit displaying local artists from all walks of life. The artwork is hanging on their walls. This allows Vintage Office tenants and guests to have a wonderful atmosphere and learn about various art styles.
UCC loaned multiple large canvas street artworks and recruited Dino Santana (who is a friend from Roselle Park) to create and contribute artwork. This type of collaboration demonstrates our commitment to art, community and well-being!
STOP for Nikhil 5K – Sept 22nd
Only one race in NJ about Traffic Safety.
A worthy cause to honor a young boy who was a victim of someone who failed to stop at a stop sign in South Orange. This event is part of an incredible effort by the Badlani family to raise awareness about safe driving.
Our friends from the RPM Cyclists were there to support this cause – thank you!
Their tireless efforts have helped create the Nikhil’s Law passed in 2015! Speaking of laws, and we are happy to report the NJ Target Zero Commission Bill (A1476) passed assembly on Sept 26th!!
Join us every year for this movement!
Tour de Westfield – Sept 8th
What a beautiful day today – the weather was crisp, the sun was shining and there was a nice breeze! Passing through Cranford on the way to this event, there is a sign that read “It’s a good day to have a good day.” And that was a perfect sentiment for the day.
There were over 550 bikers from Westfield who came to have their bike tuned, ride with fellow local families and enjoy the music & entertainment. So many people stopped to ask about our cause and everyone agreed – we NEED bike lanes and more trails connecting Union County!!! Please spread the word and join our mailing list!
Roselle Park Mural Unveiling – July 13th
Saturday, July 13th, 2024, nearly 100 friends and supporters of Union County Connects gathered in rainy weather to see the unveiling of a beautiful mural to the Rahway Valley Railroad.
Masterfully crafted by @distoart, the mural honors the history of Roselle Park as a critical piece of transportation infrastructure which is set to be transformed from a rail to a trail through a $1.5 million TAP Grant.
The coming trail will improve the lives of the community through safe and equitable access to mobility options.
Visit us to see the recap on the UCC Facebook page
9/11 Trail Riders – June 25th
Monday, June 25th, 2024 was a wonderful and meaningful day. Stephen received a call the day before from the guardians of the @eastcoastgreenway, Mike & Ann Kruimer, informing him that a group of bike riders would be passing through Elizabeth for their @911trail ride. Stephen was able to work with the Elizabeth Fire Department (Chief Atienza and Vignali) and Councilwoman Perkins to escort the riders through the Elizabeth City while stopping at both the City 9/11 memorial and the department memorial at our headquarters.
Thank you to all of you for supporting Stephen’s crazy dreams of riding his bike everywhere and connecting us all by trail!
Visit Stephen’s Biking Fireman link below to read more
Follow your dreams. Even if your legs shake...
Tour de Roselle Park 2024 – May 4th
Great time today at the first annual Tour de Roselle Park and 3rd annual Bike Clinic at the Roselle Park Gazebo. More people on bikes and more safe routes to destinations for those traveling outside of vehicles is a win for everyone!
We can have a County Connected by Trails!
Celebrate Trails Day 2024 – April 27th
Union County Connects had such an inspiring and successful Trails Day! We partnered with Tom Sexton again from the Rails to Trails Conservancy, and were honored to have
Mike & Anne Kruimer from the East Coast Greenway Alliance and Richard King from the
Tri-State Railway Society to help us encourage the conversion of inactive railways into safe trails.
What a great turnout! Several local civic groups showed up to support the walk – the Freewalkers, Ride Pedal Movement, Roselle Park Girl Scouts, as well as elected officials from two neighboring towns! We had such an inspiring walk and then we celebrated afterwards at Two Ton Brewery with amazing music by Richard DiPaola & Friends and delicious food from local restaurants.
2023 Events
Tour de Roselle Par 2023 – October 8th, 2023
UCC Bike Ride through Roselle Park – Facebook post
Union County Connects lead an enjoyable ride through Roselle Park, Kenilworth, and Cranford towns and made their way cycling along the East Coast Greenway.
Be sure to join us next year for this fun and scenic course.
Roselle Park Arts Festival 2023 – September 30th, 2023
Union County Connects was able to catchup with some Roselle Park councilmen and update them about the latest progress with Rail-Trails advocacy. UCC also provided a Tie-dye station for kids and adults to have fun while learning about the projects we are promoting. People took home a colorful UCC shirt so they can represent our cause!
Cleanup the Elizabeth River Trail 2023 – July 15th, 2023
Cleanup the Elizabeth River Trail – Facebook post
Union County Connects helped the City of Elizabeth and Groundworks Elizabeth with cleaning up litter along the Elizabeth River Trail. Join the effort every year and help make a difference.
Walk the East Coast Greenway 2023 – June 22nd, 2023
Walk the East Coast Greenway – Facebook post
Union County Connects offers informative and fun hikes along the East Coast Greenway! You and your group can learn about how the inactive Rahway Valley Rail line can connect to the East Coast Greenway and create a safe trail network for Union County.
Tour de Westfield 2023 – June 11th, 2023
Ride your bicycles with the Westfield Police Department on a family-friendly 2-mile bike ride. This ride is suitable for anyone that can ride a bike (registration is required).
Union County Connects was there to educate bicyclists about Rail-Trails and bike safety!
🎥 Check out this video of Michael’s point of view during the tour! 🎥
Garwood Rocks Street Festival And Car Show 2023 – June 4th, 2023
For the Garwood Street fair, Union County Connects partnered with the Garwood Green Team to promote awareness about Rail-Trails. It was nice to be included with the Green Team and help advocate for more sustainable solutions for our planet!
Tour de Elizabeth 2023 – May 21st, 2023
Tour de Elizabeth 2023 Press Release
This 15-mile recreational ride welcomes everyone to wind their way through Elizabeth. Join waves of cyclists as they take over with the help of Elizabeth Police and glide through roadways typically dominated by vehicles. The tour takes you passed historic sites, the picturesque Warinaco lake and then through the industrial seaport section.
🎥 Michael View Cycling Through Community Spirit 🎥
Celebrate Trails Day 2023 – April 22nd, 2023
Union County Connects partnered with Tom Sexton from the Rails to Trails Conservancy to encourage alternative transportation campaigns. Tom helped to kickoff the event. UCC guided participants through the trail and around the East Coast Greenway to end with a party at Two Ton Brewery. Be sure to join us every year for this fun and impactful event!
🎥 Tom Sexton starts the event 🎥
