Cooling Centers, Spray Parks Open For Union County Locals

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County is offering several cooling centers and way to keep cool as a heat wave rolls into the area this weekend.

Cooling Centers in Union County include:

Elizabeth

• Miller Evans Logan Recreation Center, 161-163 First St.

Hours: Friday 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday closed; Monday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Elmora Racquet Club, 23 Fernwood Terr.

Hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday closed

• Peterstown Community Center, 408 Palmer St.

Hours: Monday through Friday noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday closed

Fanwood

• Chelsea Senior Living Center, 295 South Ave.

Hours: Open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Linden

• Linden Public Library, 31 East Henry St.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen St.

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed

• Linden Multi-Purpose Center, 1025 John St.

Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed

Plainfield

• Plainfield Senior Center, 400 East Front St.

Hours: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rahway

• Rahway Library, 5075, 2 City Hall Plaza

Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday closed

• Rahway Recreation Center, 275 E Milton Ave.

Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday closed

Union

• Senior Center, 968 Bonnel Ct.

Hours: Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Townhall, 1976 Morris Ave.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday closed

For more information on resources for senior citizens, contact the Union County Division on Aging toll-free, 888-280-8226.

Pools and Spray Parks

Union County’s public recreation facilities can also offer some respite from the heat. In Rahway, the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park is open seven days a week. For information on hours of operation call 732-381-4045.

Spray parks are available for children at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights, Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. For maps and directions visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

The Loop playground in the Watchung Reservation includes a mist feature, and the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside is a short walk away. It is open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For information on special activities call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.

Residents are advised to stay indoors when possible and keep outdoor activity to a low level. The sun’s heat easily penetrates windows, so shutting drapes, shades and curtains will help keep indoor spaces cooler during the day. If there is no cooling available at home, relief can be found at a library, senior center, community center, museum, mall, or any other cooled public space where seating is available, Union County stated.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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