Friends of Brightwood Park
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  • Home
  • PRESERVE
    • Ecology
    • Invasive Species
    • Ponds
    • Clean Ups
    • Trails
  • ENJOY
    • halloween-22
    • Photos
    • Birding >
      • greenHeron
    • Trail Maps
    • Calendar
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • History
  • Who We Are
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo
    • presidentReport-1Q-21
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • biancaTemp
  • loisTemp

Friends of Brightwood Park
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JOIN US!                                    
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
March 25, May 6, June 24, September 9
10 AM to Nooon
Free!


Register Here

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Samuel Jarvis, 76, of Fanwood Ave (now part of Brightwood Park).

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Brightwood Park Discovery Day!

On May 6, Friends of Brightwood plan to pull out all the stops so that folks can experience what the park has to offer, with a schedule of events all day long, beginning at 7 am with a birding walk.  Also photography, history and nature walks, pollinator gardens, meditation & forest bathing...even a fairy house hunt.  We invite you to experience the transformation of Brightwood Park!
-MORE INFORMATION & SIGN UP -

Early Spring at Brightwood Park​


Signs spring are popping up all over the place at Brightwood.

photos by Chuan-Chu Chou

Re-establishing Native Plants 

The Seedling Project is Launched in February

FOBP 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

--- Join Us!  Become a member of the Friends of Brightwood Park ---

of interest.....

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2023 NATIVE PLANT SALE is on!!
...start planning your piece of the network of yards...
Our yards have the power to provide critical habitat for threatened bird and insect populations and also provide us with beautiful flowers. Create your own important part of the region-wide network of yards that support a sustainable ecosystem – a Homegrown National Park™.
Finding a good selection of appropriate native plants  can be difficult., but we make it easier  by providing a selection of native plants suited to our local soils and climate .

Next Webinar:
Evening Briefing: Wasps – The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
Date: February 21 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Zoom Webinar

in partnership with the Westfield Green Team
MORE INFORMATION

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Duke Farms Master Ecology Program

This program is highly recommended by members of the Green Team, who took the course last year.
The Master Ecologist certification course is an adult education series designed for environmental educators, land managers and stewards, private landowners, natural resource professionals, and community members with a passion for our natural environment.
Starts Feb 2
MORE INFORMATION

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.  
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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.
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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.
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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 Program

The 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 Kids

Our 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

​

For more information and to sign up, see

Westfield Recreation Page
Here is a peek of what we are working on (subject to change!):

April 13      
Plants and vegetables


May 18 
Forest Bathing and meditation 

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!

  • Help us make Brightwood Day a huge success!  We need volunteers to assist with all the activities that day, including the history tours, the native plant gardens, the fairy house scavenger hunt (and making fairy houses!), staffing the tables, the photography tours and more.
  • Help with posting  Friends of Brightwood Park activities on Social Media
  • Help with our pollinator and native plant gardens
I​f you are interested in helping with our programs, please email FriendsOfBrightwoodPark@gmail.com..

viewpoints

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Daily Reflections on Nature

After the recent rainfall and the change of temperature, the leaves started to turn colorful.  Autumn is here!
-Chaun-Chu Chou 
​-more-
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New Life and new purpose...Join FOBP for  love of nature and comaraderie!

We are coming up on our second year anniversary!  We have accomplished much in the past two years but have a long way to go to fulfill our mission of a restored and biodiverse nature park.
​-Denise Ricci
  -more-


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.

Picture
Samuel Jarvis, 76, of Fanwood Ave (now part of Brightwood Park).

 

check out the
new HISTORY
​section of our site


History Tours of Brightwood​
​registration


Friends of Brightwood Park Gear

NEW!   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!
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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

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​​​
General Membership is Free and includes a quarterly newsletter
​Become a Member!

Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


Contact Us


Become a Member!  We'd Love to Have You Join Us.