Community Action
Resolutions memorialize a township’s formal commitment to an effort. Ordinances are the next step to making the resolution a law.
Resolutions (and/or Ordinances) across Union County create the partnerships we need to act with the approval of the authority.
Generally, we propose two concepts to the townships depending on their own master plans and conditions.
- Towns with abandoned railroads ripe to be converted to trails are often presented with Resolutions supporting the Rails-to-Trails program.
- Simultaneously, we promote pedestrian-friendly, safe streets through Vision Zero or Complete Streets program; both initiated by Resolution and sometimes by Ordinance.
Below, you can witness the progress unfold by viewing our proposals and their status.
Approved Rails-to-Trails Resolutions
Roselle Park R 135-21, April 15, 2021
Kenilworth R6, May 12, 2021
Union Township R 2021-389, December 7, 2021
Elizabeth Resolution – details pending
UNION COUNTY of NJ, Resolution, September 8, 2023
Roselle R 2023-173, May 17, 2023
Scotch Plains R 2024-60, March 5, 2024
Garwood R 2024-059, March 7, 2024
Fanwood R 2024-03-083, March 18, 2024
Cranford R 2024-165, March 19, 2024
Plainfield R 189-24, April 8, 2024
Springfield R 2025-149, May 27, 2025
The Power of Advocacy
2026 Impact
NJ Complete Streets Summit
On April 21st, Union County Connects was honored to receive the Complete Streets Champion award from @vtc.rutgers at @newjersey.dot Complete Streets Summit.
As an organization comprised entirely of volunteers, only three of us were able to attend, but we carry with us dozens of individuals who contribute hours of time, energy, and expertise to our shared cause.
This award belongs to each and every person who has attended an event, came to a meeting, made a donation, or simply sent good vibes and energy our way.
Of course, never far from our hearts is our friend and founder, Allen Walcoff, without whom, none of this would be possible.
Together, we will go far.
East Coast Greenway Connects Goethals to Cranford
It has been 3-4 years in the process, Union County recently received $1M in grant funding and now progress is being made! The first protected bike lane in Union County will be created with the help of the Transportation Engineering, UCC & ECG.
NJ TAB Meeting
During their monthly meeting, they mentioned Stephen Dunn for helping provide input and creating a better product. The new route will start at the Goethals Bridge and go to Murray Avenue and then through Warinaco Park with a bike lane, then to 7th Street, Amsterdam Avenue and then to South Ave. They are considering two-way for the sharrows on 3rd Avenue.
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver
March 2nd – Congresswoman LaMonica McIver is trying to secure $375Mil in federal support for a transformative project involving the CNJ.
Visit this link to learn more -> LaMonica McIver’s Facebook Post – Connected Greenways
January 23rd – Congresswoman LaMonica McIver acknowledged Stephen Dunn while promoting her efforts to secure $850,000 in funding to redo the crossway from Lenape Park to Nomahegan Park.
Visit this link to learn more -> LaMonica McIver’s Facebook Post – Safe Roadways
2025 Impact
Union County Commissioners Meeting
UCC attended the Union County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025 to present a thank you gift for their efforts with Rail-Trails and Bike Lanes. Ellen spoke about the projects they are conducting that align with our cause and then gave them a framed print of the Roselle Park Mural (located on Son-Rise Document Solutions building on RT 28). Michael Dury spoke and asked for updates on several projects and then, Rick Matias spoke to answer those questions posed. During the meeting, all of the commissioners and board agreed that Rail-Trails and Bike Lanes are something they support and look forward to a continued partnership with UCC! After the meeting, several commissioners posed with UCC members to showcase the framed Mural print.
Westfield Town Council Meeting
UCC joined 3 bicycling groups at the Westfield Town Council meeting on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 to advocate for bike lanes and bike safety signs throughout Westfield. Stephen Dunn spoke about the Westfield Proposed Bike Network plans designed in 2019 but not fully actioned. He requested they continue to work with the county to have those plans implemented. Leaders from each bicycling group and Wajih Abdul-Haqq‘s family/friends also spoke about their perspective of bicycling throughout Westfield. The major takeaway was – we need to continue showing up to remind the township that bike safety signs and bike lanes are incredibly valuable and urgent.
North Jersey Trail Network Survey
On March 31st, 2025 the survey closed. It was a way to help NJDEP and NJDOT better understand the needs, priorities, and impact of New Jersey’s existing and potential trail users. Stay tuned for the results and impact it will have on future decisions.
Target Zero Commission signed into Law!
After more than two years of advocacy, Governor Murphy signed the Target Zero Commission Bill into Law on January 13th, 2025!
With this law – NJ becomes the first state to establish a Commission dedicated to reaching zero traffic deaths & serious injuries by 2040.
2024 Impact
Two Bike Path Grants – Roselle & Roselle Park
2024 was another successful year of advocacy!
- $1.25 million was awarded to convert the inactive Staten Island Rapid Transit!
- $500,000 was awarded to Roselle Park to extend its Bike Path along the train line.
On December 23, 2024 – Stephen, Bill and Stephen’s son attended a Borough of Roselle Town Meeting to receive this grant. We look forward to another year of working with local governments and community organizations to continue building a County Connected by Trails!
New Jersey Target Zero Commission – NJ Senate
On December 19, Target Zero Commission (S361) bill passed NJ senate unanimously and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. The Commission will bring together the heads of 13 state agencies to develop an action plan to end all deaths on our roadways by 2040. Check out – UCC Facebook post
Springfield Township Committee Meeting
On Nov 26th, 2024, Stephen Dunn spoke to the Springfield NJ Township Committee about the idea of them creating 2 resolutions – one to accept converting the RVR line into a trail and the second to apply for a Federal grant to subsidize this project.
Union County Safe Streets for All
On October 28, 2024, Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Union County Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon, Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski and Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner attended the Safe Streets for All Action Plan Advisory Committee at the Cranford Community Center. Union County, in collaboration with the City of Elizabeth, has been awarded a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. To learn more visit – Union County Safe Streets Advisory Committee
New Jersey Target Zero Commission – NJ Assembly
On May 6th, 2024, Bill A1476, which would establish the “New Jersey Target Zero Commission,” passed in the Assembly Transportation Committee unanimously! Great job at the Vision Zero for NJ Alliance!
Thank you to all our elected officials who supported the quest for safer roads in NJ!
Please follow this link to the UCC Facebook post – Celebrating another win!
Scotch Plains Resolution
Fearless Bill presents in Scotch Plains in March, 2024. Scotch Plains adopted Resolution No. 2024-60 on March 5th, 2024.
Garwood Resolution
On February 22, 2024, Union County Connects President, Stephen Dunn, attended a Garwood Council Meeting to promote and support a network of multi-use trails connecting all of Union County. Garwood signed their resolution shortly after this meeting on March 7th, 2024! Thank you to Mayor Jen Blumenstock and Council President Kearney @njvinnie for having us!
2023 Impact
New Jersey Target Zero Commission
On June 8, 2023, the New Jersey Assembly State and Local Government Committee passed a Bill A4296 to create NJ Target Zero Commission (A4296)!
This commission is a collaborative interagency effort tasked with creating an action plan based on Vision Zero and the Federal Highway Administration recommended Safe System Approach. The NJBWC is a founding partner in the Vision Zero NJ Alliance who advocated for this bill.
Current Trails and Features
Union County New Jersey
- Roselle Park has a walking/biking trail along active Raritan Valley Rail Line from Chestnut Street to Galloping Hill Road.
- Roselle Park has a building mural created by @distoart that honors the historical Rahway Valley Railroad and welcomes visitors to Roselle Park. This mural is an artist approach to highlight the planned transformation of the inactive rail line into a thriving trail connecting Roselle Park to Kenilworth.
- Mountainside has a pedestrian bridge over Rt 22 – this is one of the few bridges over this highly active roadway and connects the Olmsted Greenway to the Watchung reservation.
- Summit Park Line
- is a beautiful trail with flowers and kiosks along the path.
- has a new pedestrian bridge.
- Berkeley Heights is repairing forests through trail clearing. They are removing invasive species and creating trails which protects forests and provides safe trail networks.