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Author: City of Linden

Linden Parks and Recreation has put together a list of different activities and resources for families to utilize during COVID-19.

Visit parks, museums have all sorts of virtual adventures and do fun and interesting activities right from home.

Parks

Aquariums

Virtual Reality & 360 Degree Fun

Museums

Zoos

Projects, Great Reading, Activities, Other Live Cams & More

Union County Parks to Re-Open on Limited Basis with Social Distancing, May 2

Union County, NJ – Union County parks will partially re-open beginning at dawn on Saturday, May 2, for limited and passive activities only, in accordance with statewide restrictions issued by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. The County’s two golf courses will open next week, after routine maintenance is conducted.

“Union County parks will re-open under guidelines that are consistent with the statewide plan, which provides for residents to benefit from healthy outdoor activities while diligently observing precautions against spreading or contracting COVID-19,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“As a reminder, the virus does not disappear outside,” Mirabella added.

“Please be safe, and help save lives by observing the six-foot social distance guideline and other rules for visiting County parks during this time.”

Union County parks will open on the following basis:

  1. All group activities, including picnics and other gatherings remain prohibited.
  2. Only individual activities are permitted, such as walking, jogging, bicycling, and fishing. For these activities, individuals may be accompanied by family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
  3. Park visitors must stay on marked paths and observe signage for social distancing.
  4. Park visitors are encouraged to wear masks.
  5. The following facilities remain closed until further notice:
    • Restrooms
    • Picnic areas
    • Athletic fields
    • Playgrounds and exercise stations
    • Trailside Nature & Science Center
    • Warinanco Sports Center
    • Watchung Stable
    • Echo Lake and Warinanco dog parks

Visitors are advised to avoid congested areas. When using pathways and trails give way to others, in order to maintain a six-foot social distance.

Visitors are also advised to observe other COVID-19 preventive measures including: wash hands frequently, do not touch face, cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or elbow, do not go out if sick, stay away from sick people, and use a face mask for additional protection.

Park visitors please note: Stay on marked trails in order to preserve fragile native habitat in County parks. The taking of plants and other wildlife is prohibited. Share paved paths by keeping to the right unless passing others. Bicycles are permitted only on paved paths. Dogs must be kept on leash. All trash must be carried out where receptacles are full or unavailable.

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TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 133, reopening state parks and golf courses, and restoring the authority of county governments to determine whether county parks will be open or closed. The order takes effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2. 

Objection to Woodrow Wilson Memorial Park Land Disposition

The following reflects the position of the Linden Shade Tree Commission and does not reflect the opinions of the Mayor, nor those of City Council nor those of the Board of Education.

In violation of the governor’s executive order to avoid public gatherings, the Linden Board of Education held a public hearing at 6 pm on Thursday March 26, 2020, in the Linden High School auditorium.  The purpose of this  hearing was to propose the disposition of Green Acres  Funded parkland, in order to facilitate building a second Linden High School gymnasium.

There was almost no one there from the public, because A: no one knew about it and B: the meeting was in violation of governor’s executive order to  avoid public gatherings during the Corona pandemic.  Major League Baseball, the Olympics, the court system, etc. – everything is on hold.  Yet the Linden BOE went ahead with a “public” meeting.  This project should not be considered, much less approved, until after a real public meeting has been held.

In spite of the above, on April 21 the Linden City Council passed a resolution supporting this project, which would remove a portion of Wilson Park, including four (4) eighty year old oak trees.  The average lifespan of an oak tree is 200 years.  These trees were planted circa 1939, and are approximately 81 years old.  They are not even middle aged, as many oaks live 300 to 500 years.The open space provided by parks is precious.  You can’t make it. You can’t buy it.  And when it’s gone, it’s gone forever.   If this project is necessary, Linden should come up with a plan which does not include the loss of park land, and spares the four eighty year old oak trees.

Since we were not able to rebut comments made in response to public comments at the Caucus meeting on April 20, 2020 , the record need to be set straight on several issues. Furthermore, you heard only one side of this issue from a biased source, the Linden Board of Ed Business Administrator. All stakeholders should be heard from and should have been heard from at the start of this process. Our liaison also failed to bring this issue to our attention. He was asked about it in Jan/Feb 2020 about this project, and said “he would have to look into it”. This is interesting since he voted “YES” in October on a resolution supporting this project.​

  1. This project has NOTHING to do with child safety. This claim is specious. Students will still have to cross the street each way, at least twice a day coming to and from each building depending on which side of St. George’s Avenue they live.
  2. Current Gym Classes: During the warmer months, gym classes are taken to Wilson Park on approximately an hourly basis for their gym class. Building a duplicate gym a block away from an existing gym is completely lacking in fiduciary responsibility. It is also suggested that there be a further review of the state requirements regarding the need for a gym. According to at least one source investigate, this is also not a necessity. There are alternatives.
  3. This is NOT a “new school”. This is a duplicate gym and will add 21 parking spaces. Estimated cost of the 21 parking spaces is a whopping approximately $134,000 to $403,000 per space. This is a HORRIBLE return on investment.
  4. The excessive long driveway is a waste of materials, inefficient, will make the area actually less safe given congestion on Summit Terr and St. during the mornings and afternoons. The long driveway is in direct contradiction to State guidelines for school safety in relation to potential terrorist attacks. During the winter, this excessively long driveway will need to be cleared from snow before anyone can use the parking facility.
  5. Adequate alternatives have NOT been considered by the City and School Board.
  6. The term “Minor” disposition is a legal definition and SHOULD NOT be use as an indication of the quality or importance of the land in question. This is the last vestige of green extending from the Elizabeth border to the Rahway border.
  7. The so called public hearing was basically a sham. There were constant interruptions of those speaking and an attempt to limit comments only to those that suited the misguided agenda of the School Board. There is no reason whatsover, that this hearing should not and could not have been postponed until after the passing of this COVID 19 crises so there could be REAL public input.
  8. The proposed resolution in support of the “Final Application  to be voted upon stated in the agenda for the Council Meeting on April 21, 2020 is out of order and essentially illegal. The so-called hearing was held in direct defiance of the Governor’s Executive Orders to “Stay at home and avoid public gatherings. The resolution for a “Final” application must include comments and responses (which has yet to happen), and also a FULL UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT of the (so-called) public hearing must be provided as part of the resolution according to NJDEP.
  9. Any funds paid for the value of trees should be placed in the Shade Tree Commission Budget, NOT that of the State of NJ. These funds would be use for much needed replanting.

Please read the attachments below for additional information.

Sincerely,

Jeff A. Tandul

June 1st Property Tax Grace Period

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Municipalities to Extend Grace Period for May 1st Property Tax Payments until June 1st

TRENTON – Governor Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 130, which allows municipalities to extend the grace period for property tax payments due on May 1st to June 1st. Such an extension would provide much-needed relief to homeowners struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Allowing municipalities the option of extending the grace period for May property tax payments is the right thing to do as many New Jerseyans are impacted financially as a result of this crisis,” said Governor Murphy. “Leaders of towns and cities across the state have been trying to find ways to lessen the blow on local residents, and with this action, they are empowered to provide relief to homeowners as we continue to do everything possible to fight this pandemic.”

For the full press release, please click here.

What not to flush, and how to prevent backups.

Help maintain a healthy sewer system in our community!

We continue to be proactive in our response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Due to this public health emergency our equipment is experiencing blockages from “flushable” and disinfectant wipes. With the increased use of wipes (“flushable”, wet, baby, anti-bacterial, disinfectant) and paper towels, we are reminding all residents to PLEASE make sure you put these items in the trash and do not flush them down the toilet!

“Flushable wipes” are often marketed as an alternative to toilet paper and claim to be “flushable” and “sewer safe.” However…

  • These wipes DO NOT break down when flushed in both private household plumbing and the public sewer system.
  • Serious blockages resulting in septic and sewer backups may occur.
  • Disposable wipes, even those labeled ‘flushable’ should be disposed of in the trash, not flushed down the toilet.

Read the informative flyer for more information. Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy sewer system in our community!

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Providing Critical Short-Term Support for Renters

Additional Informational Resources for Renters, Homeowners, and Landlords Now Available

TRENTON – To provide additional options to tenantswho are struggling financially as result of COVID-19, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 128, allowing tenants to direct their landlords to use their security deposits to offset rent or back rent. 

“We recognize the anxiety that so many are feeling about looming rent payments, and during this emergency renters should have the ability to utilize their security deposit to help them stay in their place of residence,” said Governor Murphy. “While this action does not resolve the broader financial concerns of New Jerseyans, this will provide critical short-term support as the first of the month approaches. My Administration will continue working with the housing community and federal government to develop long-term solutions to this crisis.”

Read & Download

PPP Resumes April 27, 2020

The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Information

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers (04/26/2020)

How to Calculate Loan Amounts

For affiliation rules applicable for the Paycheck Protection Program, click here.

The Interim Final Rule for Applicable Affiliation Rules for the Paycheck Protection Program as posted in the Federal Register.

Frequently Asked Questions for Faith-Based Organizations Participating in the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program by finding a lender.

Celebrate Earth Day & National Park Week

Linden Parks & Recreation in cooperation with National Park Trust present these activities to Celebrate Earth Day and National Park Week.

Happy Earth Day and National Park Week! While we’d much rather be spending it outdoors at our favorite park, there are still lots of creative ways to celebrate from home. Earth Day began 50 years ago to focus on the importance of environmental protection and education.  Today we invite you to join us and participate in some environmental fun at home by getting a little dirty and building a veggie garden with our woolly mascot Buddy Bison. You can reuse materials from around your home and even use kitchen scraps to grow your own produce. In the spirit of National Park Week, we are excited to share 10 lesser-known amazing national park sites that you and your family can discover while earning Junior Ranger badges online. Stay healthy and safe!

Buddy Bison’s Veggie Garden

Make the most of kitchen scraps by creating your own vegetable garden with Buddy Bison! Decorate with natural materials and learn about different seeds that will flourish on your windowsill or on your counter. Download the instructions here. Post a picture of your garden and share it with us on Instagram by tagging @nationalparktrust or using the hashtag #BuddyBison.

Online Junior Ranger Badges

To celebrate National Park Week, we are thrilled to share 10 Junior Ranger badges you can earn from home. It doesn’t matter what age you are, just “explore, learn, and protect” your national parks online and become an official Junior Ranger and earn your badges! From Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, you can learn about history, night skies, or even dinosaurs! Click here to learn more!

With any questions, please always feel free to contact Ralph Dunhamn, Director of Linden’s Department of Parks & Recreations.