Brightwood Park Welcomes the Seasonal Change

We are grateful for a park on the upswing and the many wonderful people that are making that happen.

-jpl

The last leaves are falling at Brightwood

The park is ready to welcome Thankgiving visitors for a stroll through the woods.

New! Limited Time Offer for 2023 Brightwood Park Calendar

Enjoy the beauty of Brightwood Park all year round with a calendar! Award winning photographers and residents Kevin Redden and Chuan Chau have captured the animals, flowers and trees that live in Westfield's only nature preserve.

The calendars will be delivered to local residents and mailed to those who live out of town.      Please include your address and phone number.

​ORDER HERE

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!

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
Migrate, Hibernate or Stay - the Animals at Brightwood Park
Thursday November 17, 2022
Winter - Weather and Snow
Thursday December 15, 2022
Age 2-3   10 to 10:45 AM
Age 4-6   2 to 2:45 PM
Age 6-8   3:30 to 4:30 PM

For more information and to sign up, see
the Westfield Recreation Page
🎃  Did you make it to the jack-o'-lantern trail?  Check out the pictures! 
See More Pictures!

Goblins Invade Brightwood Park!

The trails at Brightwood Park were lit with over 65 carved jack-o-lanterns as the park welcomed over 400 people .

THANK YOU to all the participants, volunteers and new members!

Volunteers Needed

  • Invasive Species removal - Wednesdays at 10 AM
  • Help with posting  Friends of Brightwood Park activities on Social Media

viewpoint

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-

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

mark your calendar!   
Check back for new Dates

History Tour of Brightwood​

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!.

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​​​
Membership is Free and includes a quarterly newsletter
​Help Preserve Natural Spaces
​Become a Member!