Brightwood Day was Saturday May 16th 

We had Fairy Houses, Birding (spotted a green heron!), History Tours and met so many people who were also enthusiastic about preserving and restoring our park.  
Thank you to all who came and especially all our new members!
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Special thanks to Cara Jacobs Nathanson, who posted this review on Facebook:
Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Friends of Brightwood Park yesterday for organizing such a special day for the town. My girls could not get enough of the Fairy Trail and scavenger hunt around the park, and it was so evident how much love, time, and effort was put into the event.

Watching my 4 year old run around in nature with her fairy wings and wand made me so happy - it's these wholesome moments that childhood is all about.
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I learned yesterday that a resident of Westfield for 77 years hadn't ever heard of Brightwood Park - it's a gem and a true sanctuary in town. If you haven't been, please make the time to walk the trail and enjoy the beautiful views. I call it Narnia because you really don't know it's there and then… wow! (Especially in fall!)
Mayor Jeremy Berman please keep this special place top of mind for preservation efforts! It's a one of the reasons I love living here so much.
more Brightwood Day Photos
Hope you were able to come by!
Fairy Houses, Birding, History Tours and much to learn about preserving and restoring our park
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SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026
from 8 am to mid-afternoon

Prospect Street
Westfield, NJ
8 AM to 3 PM
FOBP in collaboration with the Westfield Recreation Department and Green Team shared all that our town's nature preserve offers!
Events and tours took place throughout the day from 8AM to mid-afternoon.

Including:
  • Birding walks (8AM!) 
  • Nature Photography
  • Forest Bathing 
  • Forest Health & Invasive Species walk with our experts
  • Native Plants tour
  • History tour- it was a neighborhood before it became a park
  • Nature Classes and Stories​
  • and even a FAIRY HOUSE scavenger hunt!  MORE ABOUT THE FAIRY HOUSE HUNT!
pack a picnic!

FULL SCHEDULE

THERE ARE 30 FAIRY HOUSES TO BE DISCOVERED!

​CAN YOU FIND THEM??

​(HERE ARE SOME HINTS)

BRIGHTWOOD GEAR


Look Great and Support the Park!
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Download the Poster!​
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FOREST BATHING & MEDITATION
What is forest bathing?  This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation; know in Japan as Shinrin Yoko.  The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way. Suzanne invites you to join her as she guides you through the forest, providing more insight into how trees communicate and more.   This is mostly a silent walk where we embrace the stillness of the trees, the beauty of the flowers, along with the sounds of resident animals.  This walk will culminate with a brief meditation.  
SUZANNE PINTO/FRIENDS OF BRIGHTWOOD PARK
FRIENDS OF BRIGHTWOOD PARK
In almost 5 years, the newly formed Friends of Brightwood Park have worked to transform the park from an invasive-choked distressed forest to a natural area that is becoming much more healthy.  Learn about our trails project, the classes  and programs that we have worked on and meet the naturalists, botanists, birders and photographers that have help document and inspire the transformation.  We'd love to meet you!
FRIENDS OF BRIGHTWOOD PARK
PICK UP A FREE TREE!
The Town of Westfield is providing 250 tree saplings to be distributed to people interested in planting new trees to help our towns become more beautiful and more shaded.  

Please stop by!
WESTFIELD TREE PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND WESTFIELD GREEN TEAM