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It's "hotting up" in the park!Mark your calendars for:
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2025 Sustaining Members MeetingFriends of Brightwood Park came together over 5 years ago to nurture the natural treasure they had enjoyed for many years. The park needed so much help with invasive species; trash; reforestation; and pond loop trail maintenance. Since 2020, the Friends have worked hard to restore the park.
The work continues, and we are excited to announce new members to our Board of Directors: Brian Duggan, Cheryl Katz, Peter Kraus, and Sapeksh Madan. |
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Signs of Spring
And the Wood Ducks are Back
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The Wood Ducks are back, and signs of Spring are popping up all around.
The Friends of Brightwood have an ambitious year planned with redoubled reforestation and invasive species abatement efforts, new Spring Classes, new board members and bringing back our favorite events. Scroll down for more information. 2025-AnnualReport Photos by Chuan-Chu Chou
By the way, Chuan-Chu and his camera stop by the park almost every day - even on the coldest and rainiest days His observations are shared on here and also on his blog at :https://www.friendsofbrightwood.org/chuan-chu-chou-blog |
Danny Mo (a frequent visitor to Brightwood Park) captured these beautiful photos of pileated woodpeckers.
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Going on NOW!
The 2025 Native Plant Sale is Announced
The Great Swamp Watershed Association will offer their 5th Annual Native Plant Sale & Webinar Series this Spring.
note: the Webinar Series features our very own Bianca Wright!
Nature Detectives - Classes for Kids - 2024 Classes
A Nature Detective at Work
Our educational monthly classes are each a different theme and encourage children to explore the natural setting at Brightwood Park
4 Session - 11:00, 11:30 AM and 3:00, 3:30 PM
Limit 10 families per session 2-4 Year Olds with Adult 10:00 to 10:45 am
4-8 Year Olds 3:45 to 4:45 pm For more information and sign ups, see
Westfield Recreation Page |
Spring Class Schedule
March 20- Clouds and Weather
Look up and learn about what we see in the sky. Clouds are fun to observe and help us learn about weather, climate, and the Earth. Watching clouds helps us to slow down and observe. Let’s lie down and look up! April 24- Animals in Spring- Migrate, Hibernate, Stay What animals can we observe in Brightwood Park in the Spring? Who leaves in the winter and where do they go? Is anyone waking up from a long winter’s nap? Find out about the seasonal habits of animals of Brightwood Park. May 15- Wild Art in the Park Identify natural art in Brightwood Park. We will observe and create art and beauty in Brightwood Park. Using our senses we will discover how nature has created unique artistic expressions. Then using natural objects we will make our own works of art. Our art will be part of the Plein Air Art Walk on May 17, 2025. June 12 - Dirt + Water = Mud It is Hot! Let’s get wet! We are in the woods. Let’s play in the dirt or MAYBE we should make MUD! Join us in our mud kitchen. Join us on our mud raceway. Join us making mud nests. Let’s make mud potions. We are going to get wet and dirty so wear your grungy clothes. |
Newsflash!
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Beautiful Olive Green Sweatshirts for Adults Now with Embroidered Green Heron LogoOur new dark olive green sweatshirt is made with Champion Powerblend fabric, offering the best of warmth and durability without the extra weight.
Unlike the previous sweatshirts with a printed logo, the logo in this one is embroidered. New Sweatshirts, Tees & Hats for kidsOur new forest green children’s sweatshirt features our logo printed front and center on a soft, comfortable poly/cotton blend
Brightwood Hats Now Available Downtown at the Town Bookstore!If you need a cute, colorful gift, or pick-me-up for yourself, pop into the Town Bookstore in downtown Westfield to see the full color assortment of our signature hats. The price is the same as on our website, but of course no shipping and no waiting.
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Native Planting ProjectThe Pollinator Garden in the parking lot is bigger and better this year. Thanks to hard work by volunteer Bianca Wright and many others, this garden has been extended along the length of the parking lot and many new plants have been added.
The goal is to introduce native plants to increase the biodiversity of the flora in Brightwood, and by extension, the biodiversity of the bugs, butterflies and fauna that are characteristic of a healthy ecosystem. Look for these demonstration gardens and plantings when you visit Brightwood Park. Photos by Denise Ricci and Chuan-Chu Chou |
The Brightwood Park Bird Hats are Everywhere!
Bird spotting in the City!
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Bird Hats in Beloit, Wisconsin!!
Upal, Tracy, Joy and Jordy
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The Bird Hat has been spotted in Germany!
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Oliver, sporting his Orange Bird Hat.
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Thanks for your support!! And send us your pictures!
Friends of Brightwood Park GearHats in many colors!
Hats for Kids! New Toddler & Youth Tees! New Adult long-sleeve Tees! |
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History Tours of Brightwood
2025 Dates
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Samuel Jarvis, 76, of Fanwood Ave (now part of Brightwood Park).
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.
The latest addition to the set of stories...
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
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Plein Air ArtCreate your own masterspiece and be guided by a professional artist.
Saturday, May 17th
(more details coming soon) |
Volunteer Spotlight: Bianca Wright
Bianca Wright, Landscape Architect
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Friends of Brightwood Park is a grass roots volunteer organization on a mission to restore the park and to educate about the environmental benefits of biodiversity. The work we do would not be possible but for the generous contributions of time and talents by our many volunteers. In appreciation, we offer a spotlight on volunteers in the park. This edition: Bianca Wright.
Bianca Wright has volunteered her time and talents to restore Brightwood Park for the past 4 years. A landscape architect, she has shared her expertise and knowledge on a variety of issues in the park. She has guided FOBP on the repopulation of native plants in the park, planned and executed our pollinator gardens, researched erosion solutions, and worked with Rutgers extension on protection of saplings and other high value plants. She has tirelessly weeded, seeded, and watered. Significantly, she has led environmental tours and taught native plant gardening to promote a healthy environment both in and outside of the park's borders. With heartfelt thanks, we salute Bianca's dedication to Westfield's nature preserve and beyond. |
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
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Volunteers Needed!
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2024 Review & 2025 Preview
The 2025 Annual Meeting will be held January 25 for Sustaining Members - look here for the updates from that meeting!
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