Union County Offers Ways to Beat the Heat, Extended Pool Hours

As another heat wave rolls into New Jersey, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders once again reminds residents that resources are available for cooling off during extreme hot weather.

Residents are generally advised to stay indoors and keep 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, museum, mall, or any other cooled public space where seating is available.

Union County’s two swimming pools are open seven days a week. For recorded information on Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park, Rahway call 732-381-4045. For John Russell Wheeler Memorial Pool in Wheeler Park, Linden call 908-862-0977.

Due to the excessive heat, pool hours have been extended starting today, Wednesday, July 20, through Sunday, July 24. The main pools at both facilities will be open until 8:00 p.m. Hours for the dive tank at Ulrich and the baby pools will be extended as staff levels permit.

Spray parks are open for children at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, and Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights, all this week and through the weekend from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Senior citizens can visit their local senior center for relief. The following have advised the Freeholder Board that they have extended hours during the hot weather:

• Casano Community Center, Roselle Park, open to 7:00 p.m. except on Fridays, when it is open until 5:00 p.m.
• Cranford Community Center, open to 9:30 p.m.
• O’Donnell-Dempsey, Elizabeth, open to 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Roselle Community Center, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Steven Sampson, Elizabeth, open to 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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