Early Summer at Brightwood Park
We are noting many new appearances at Brightwood Park. A Great Horned Owl has moved into a tree near Prospect Street, the Sandpipers are back for a return visit, the bluebell flowers are blooming, a few Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants have appeared, with their distinctive shape and beautiful colors. Even a startling show of slime mold.
photos by Chuan-Chu Chou
Being around birds is associated with better mental health
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Everyday encounters with the bird kind are associated with better mental health.
In a 1,300 participant study, researchers collected data about listening to birds and other vitals such as sleep quality, subjective assessment of air quality, and location details. The 26,856 assessments offered a rich data set of what is associated with mental well-being in real time in the real world. Researchers found a significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being. Hope to see you up at Brightwood Park! |
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The Scouts are Working on one of the Erosion Control Projectsit is exciting to see the young generation taking ownership of the park and working to make it better. -jpl |
Plein Air PaintingBrightwood Park is a perfect place to create art.
If Monet and Van Gogh were alive today they surely would agree. The 2nd Plein Air Painting event was another great day in the park. Donna Stein did a terrific job guiding the 12 young artists in their own pastel artwork, all perfect gifts for Mother’s Day! Thank you to Al Barksy, from the Farmhouse Store, for judging! |
This is the first prize painting by Heda Matiejunas of Clark, New Jersey from yesterday’s Art-in-the-Park event at Brightwood Park.
We were delighted to partner with the Westfield Recreation Department and the Westfield Art Association. |
Welcome Back! |
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Multiple sources have reported the return of the Green Heron to Brightwood. Now we have photographic confirmation.
Thanks JPL & Chuan-Chu! I hope you get a chance to spot this beautiful bird! |
Recap: Brightwood Park Day - it was a terrific day for all ages
On May 6, Friends of Brightwood, teamed up with the Westfield Green Team and the Westfield Recreation Department, to pull out all the stops so visitors could experience all that the park has to offer.
Thanks to Lloyd Marks and Chuan-Chu Chou for the photographs.
THANKS to the Westfield Green team and the Westfield Library for all their contributions!
Olivia H (FOWGT) and Karen K. led bird watching, Alice helped with forest bathing, Tegan (Student Aux) was on hand for story telling, Bianca and Phil (FOWGT) educated residents about natives vs. invasives, we had WGT and Student Auxiliary tables to focused on native plants, pollinators, Adopt-A-Drain and mosquito control with a Doug Tallamy's "Bucket of Doom". Activities for kids included making paper pots for native seeds or signing up for the Pollinator Pathway (Alice, Victoria, Aubree, Eden, Anna and Hannah (all Student Aux), Mahie (Student Aux) and members from her troop had an incredible display about pollinators as part of their Girl Scout Silver award. Heather (FOWGT) educated residents about recycling. Janette donated and built a rain barrel that will be used by the park near the pollinator garden. Also helping in various ways was Donna P. (FOWGT), Audrey, Walter, Hal and Lois.
Brightwood Day was also the informal "kickoff" of the Westfield Native Seed Library that is a collaboration between the Westfield Memorial Library and WGT. Thanks for help from Katie, Audrey, Bianca and Lois on getting the message out, packing and labeling seeds and creating a Pollinator Pathway sign that will be permanently displayed in the library. The formal kickoff is this Wednesday, May 10th @7:00 pm when Michele Bakacs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension will give a talk about native plants. Registration is required.
Olivia H (FOWGT) and Karen K. led bird watching, Alice helped with forest bathing, Tegan (Student Aux) was on hand for story telling, Bianca and Phil (FOWGT) educated residents about natives vs. invasives, we had WGT and Student Auxiliary tables to focused on native plants, pollinators, Adopt-A-Drain and mosquito control with a Doug Tallamy's "Bucket of Doom". Activities for kids included making paper pots for native seeds or signing up for the Pollinator Pathway (Alice, Victoria, Aubree, Eden, Anna and Hannah (all Student Aux), Mahie (Student Aux) and members from her troop had an incredible display about pollinators as part of their Girl Scout Silver award. Heather (FOWGT) educated residents about recycling. Janette donated and built a rain barrel that will be used by the park near the pollinator garden. Also helping in various ways was Donna P. (FOWGT), Audrey, Walter, Hal and Lois.
Brightwood Day was also the informal "kickoff" of the Westfield Native Seed Library that is a collaboration between the Westfield Memorial Library and WGT. Thanks for help from Katie, Audrey, Bianca and Lois on getting the message out, packing and labeling seeds and creating a Pollinator Pathway sign that will be permanently displayed in the library. The formal kickoff is this Wednesday, May 10th @7:00 pm when Michele Bakacs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension will give a talk about native plants. Registration is required.
If you didn't get a chance to stop by, keep in mind that many of the walks and activities will be available this summer, including nature walks, bird walks, classes, history tours and discussions of invasive species and the importance of native plants.
But, so far...the fairy house hunters will have to wait until next year.
Stop by any time to experience the transformation of Brightwood Park!
But, so far...the fairy house hunters will have to wait until next year.
Stop by any time to experience the transformation of Brightwood Park!
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Thanks to the Brightwood Clean Up Day Crew!We accumulated 12 large bags of trash plus a large blue drum and 3 patio umbrellas!
And THANK YOU to the Westfield Green Team for sponsoring the event. |
100 year-old Nature Lover Visits the ParkThe refurbished trails got a test drive last Sunday when Angie Munson, a local resident from Sunrise Assisted Living in Westfield got a tour from her daughter, Trudy.
She was delighted to find two deer, a turtle, several squabbling geese and some ducks. Her review: " This park looks better than ever!" and "How far are we going??" |
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History Tours of Brightwood
The Brightwood area was once a center of African American society in NJ. The Friends of Brightwood, in an effort led by Rob Lombard, has begun to explore and document this history.
2023 Dates
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Samuel Jarvis, 76, of Fanwood Ave (now part of Brightwood Park).
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Re-establishing Native PlantsThe Seedling Project is Launched in FebruaryFOBP has begun a multi-year effort to re-establish native plants in the park. We have spread seeds in various locations where invasive plants once created monocultures. The goal is to prevent soil erosion while incresing biodiversity and creating habitat for wildlife. We expect the full bounty of colors and flowers in 2024, but look for some Black-Eyed Susans and Partridge Pea blooming yellow this spring and summer.
"What an amazing group of people! We finished in two days what we thought would take four! After two years of working to remove invasive plants, it was very gratifying to re-introduce native plant seeds in the park. We were able to seed in a variety of areas with different seed mixes to complement sun and shade, wet and dry soil conditions. It will be exciting to see what pops up this spring but even more so when these plants mature in future years. " -DR
"It was a wonderful experience working with you all! I have learned so much. I am looking forward to learning more and working with you all more.
What a terrific group of people this team is!” - new member, Bobby |
Conservation Projects at Brightwood Park from the Scouts and Local Students
Several exciting and thoughtful projects are underway up at Brightwood this fall from scouts and student conservationists, They are tackling the hard tasks of documenting the effects of invasive species, working towards reforestation, pollinator gardens and protecting young trees from deer. We will keep you posted on the results of these efforts.
Learn more at PERSPECTIVES ON THE PARK.
Learn more at PERSPECTIVES ON THE PARK.
Oliver Agar is working on an Eagle Scout project to work on re-forestation of an area in the park which was infested with knotweed. He'll be overseeing the planting and care of sugar maple and white oak saplings.
Adrian Gripp is analyzing two sections of the forest to study the impact of invasive plants on forest regeneration. He is working onhis Eagle Scout project.
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Cameron Linenberg will soon present a further proposal to the Recreation Commission to protect young saplings from deer rubbing their forehead and antlers on trees which can damage trees.
Last spring, Edison Middle School students Mahie Panjwani and Madeline Schlitzer helped FOBP plant pollinator gardens in the park. We are looking forward to their next projects!
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RUTGERS Environmental Steward ProgramThe program brings in lots of guest speakers from Rutgers, government, and other sectors who are experts in their fields - it's highly recommended from FOBP members and friends who have completed the program.
For more information go to: https://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/ |
Nature Classes for KidsOur educational monthly classes are each a different theme and encourage children to explore the natural setting at Brightwood Park
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A Nature Detective at Work
For children ages 2 through 8 years: 10:00 to 10: 45 a.m. - ages 2 -4 (must be accompanied by a parent) 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. - ages 4 -8 registration is required |
Here is a peek of what we are working on (subject to change!): June 8 Dirt + Water = Mud We are also working with Lincoln School to hold an event on April 20. If you are interested in helping with our programs, please email FriendsOfBrightwoodPark@gmail.com.. |
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Volunteers Needed!
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viewpoints
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Friends of Brightwood Park GearNEW! Friends of Brightwood Park totes!
Whether you need a beautiful, sturdy full colored embroidered canvas tote, or a simple keep-in-the-car reusable bag, you can look great and show your support for Westfield's beautiful natural park. And don't miss the terrific hats and tee's!. Get your Brightwood Park Gear today! THANK YOU!!
to our wonderful models, Veronica and Samantha, and their parents, Mark and Yvette Rizzolo. AND to James Napoli and Britta Greene for the photo shoot at Brightwood Park |
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Friends of Brightwood Park are working to:
- preserve & restore the park as a nature sanctuary
- remove invasive species that threaten native plants & trees
- promote hiking, walking, fishing, birdwatching and activities in harmony with the habitat
- offer nature and art programs for all ages