2025 Annual Report
What have we accomplished in 2024? What are we planning for 2025?
The FoBP effort was to accomplish reforestation of the park. At the annual Sustaining Members meeting in January, FoBP outgoing President Rob Lombard noted that much had been accomplished in 2024.: native plant seed were spread over the reclaimed area; east of the pond 256 seedlings were planted, caged, and meticulously watered; a rare patch of azalea/blueberry bush near Prospect Street was protected by fencing.
But more hard labor was needed. Over many years literally thousands of pounds of refuse had accumulated in the park. FoBP volunteers removed ½ ton of concrete, asphalt, and metal debris for Department of Public Works pickup in 2024. Trail maintenance is another focus of the Friends. Spot maintenance was done around the pond. Focus was trained on the steep slope south of where the trail passes the two ponds. FoBP installed berms to divert stormflow, added drains to one side of the trail and regraded the cross slope toward drains. All the work FoBP does is with the intention that people who either live in or love Westfield can enjoy the natural wonders that first drew the interest of FoBP. To that end, the volunteers among us who are retired school teachers have offered many educational and fun activities for folks of all ages. The kids’educational programs continued as did Plein Air (outdoor creation of art). 
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Friends of Brightwood Park came together over 5 years ago to nurture the natural treasure they had enjoyed for many years.
The park had various needs: to root out invasive species; to remove tons of trash deposited over the years; to plant new trees; to tend to the trail around the lake; to educate young children as well as their older siblings, and adults in the community about the wonders in the park and the exquisite balance in nature that makes the park so special. The Friends encourage new visitors to the park. The park needed to be rid of invasive species that were edging out the trees and other greenery that are native to this part of New Jersey.
Through dedicated hard labor the Friends have rooted out much of the invasive species. Some of the invasive species were those pretty, sweet smelling wisteria. Unfortunately, they were choking the life out of long-standing trees. 
Another aspect of our efforts is to honor the African American community who lived in part of the park before it became a park. Rob Lombard has conducted tours about this history.
Bianca Wright led environmental tours and taught native plant gardening to promote a healthy environment both in and outside the park’s borders. The kids’ educational program in 2024 included participation in the Read Across America event on March 2, 2025. The Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax, was posted around the pond trail; volunteers read each segment to kids donned in Dr. Seuss hats; each left with a Truffula tree bookmark. FoBP continued to offer a day of art creation in the open air (French phrase “plein air,” as in paintings by Claude Monet). On May 17, 2025, we will hold the 4th annual Plein Air event. We hold the kids’ program concurrently with an adult program offered by the Westfield Art Association. Funwise, Saving mention of, perhaps, the best fun for last. FoBP staged events that are becoming part of the life of Westfield. The Halloween program, Trunk or Treat, has been exceptionally well attended, as is the case for Brightwood Park Day. |
2025 Planning
Leadership
GOING FORWARD FoBP gained four new Board of Directors members: Brian Duggan, Peter Kraus, Sapeksh Madan, and Cheryl Rubin.
Then a new slate of officers was elected by the full Board of Directors: Jim Lewis, President; Lisa Seela, First VP, Trudy Burke, Second VP, Suzanne Pinto, Secretary, and Judy Milloy, Treasurer.
What comes next under their leadership
Return of the educational programs and Halloween Trunk or Treat, Brightwood Park Day, Read Across America, tours for groups focused on ecology or history.
Plant, cage, and water 150 new native seedling trees and shrubs, and cage 50-100 seedling trees/shrubs growing to prevent deer browse.
Install a fence around the pollinator garden
Study the two ponds
Continue advocating for new signage for the park, fence repairs, and erosion control measures.
Continue spot trail maintenance
Brightwood Park Day will return on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Plein Air will return on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with an added feature of an Art Walk.
GOING FORWARD FoBP gained four new Board of Directors members: Brian Duggan, Peter Kraus, Sapeksh Madan, and Cheryl Rubin.
Then a new slate of officers was elected by the full Board of Directors: Jim Lewis, President; Lisa Seela, First VP, Trudy Burke, Second VP, Suzanne Pinto, Secretary, and Judy Milloy, Treasurer.
What comes next under their leadership
Return of the educational programs and Halloween Trunk or Treat, Brightwood Park Day, Read Across America, tours for groups focused on ecology or history.
Plant, cage, and water 150 new native seedling trees and shrubs, and cage 50-100 seedling trees/shrubs growing to prevent deer browse.
Install a fence around the pollinator garden
Study the two ponds
Continue advocating for new signage for the park, fence repairs, and erosion control measures.
Continue spot trail maintenance
Brightwood Park Day will return on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Plein Air will return on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with an added feature of an Art Walk.
Looking back to 2024-Looking forward to 2025
January Annual Meeting Presentation by President Rob Lombard