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Brightwood Park Ecology
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Michael Van Clef, Ph.D. of Ecological Solutions, LLC
Van Clef authored the 2008 Brightwood Park Stewardship Plan prepared for the town and the Rahway River Watershed Association.
That report laid out a blueprint of how to restore the park’s health. Unfortunately, due to the 2008 financial crisis, the town did not implement the recommended action plan. FOBP has been using that Plan as a blueprint for ecological restoration of the park.
Last summer, Van Clef returned to the park to re-evaluate the ecological conditions of the park with an eye to its current restoration potential and to comment on the potential plan for mountain bike use. The good news was Van Clef believes that the park can still be rehabilitated.
With respect to additional trails in the park, Van Clef wrote:
It is recommended that any new trails (regardless of use) not be placed within the two high-quality areas [See map below] to minimize disturbance/destruction of native plant communities and minimize the spread of invasive species such as Japanese Stiltgrass. Additionally, any new trails within the Park should avoid wetlands and stream crossings as these areas are sensitive to disturbance that would degrade wetland and stream health. The publicly available NJDEP GIS wetlands layer is only approximate (not determined through a formal wetlands delineation) - for example, there is a large unmapped wetland area (potentially a vernal pool) located just south of a mapped wetland patch along the eastern boundary of the Park. 4
Van Clef shaded the high-quality areas in green stripes on a NJDEP GIS map. He specifically noted that the wetlands depicted on that map were only approximate and not a formal delineation. He recommended that the town contact the NJDEP with respect to the need for a permit if new trails are to be developed.
Full Report
Van Clef authored the 2008 Brightwood Park Stewardship Plan prepared for the town and the Rahway River Watershed Association.
That report laid out a blueprint of how to restore the park’s health. Unfortunately, due to the 2008 financial crisis, the town did not implement the recommended action plan. FOBP has been using that Plan as a blueprint for ecological restoration of the park.
Last summer, Van Clef returned to the park to re-evaluate the ecological conditions of the park with an eye to its current restoration potential and to comment on the potential plan for mountain bike use. The good news was Van Clef believes that the park can still be rehabilitated.
With respect to additional trails in the park, Van Clef wrote:
It is recommended that any new trails (regardless of use) not be placed within the two high-quality areas [See map below] to minimize disturbance/destruction of native plant communities and minimize the spread of invasive species such as Japanese Stiltgrass. Additionally, any new trails within the Park should avoid wetlands and stream crossings as these areas are sensitive to disturbance that would degrade wetland and stream health. The publicly available NJDEP GIS wetlands layer is only approximate (not determined through a formal wetlands delineation) - for example, there is a large unmapped wetland area (potentially a vernal pool) located just south of a mapped wetland patch along the eastern boundary of the Park. 4
Van Clef shaded the high-quality areas in green stripes on a NJDEP GIS map. He specifically noted that the wetlands depicted on that map were only approximate and not a formal delineation. He recommended that the town contact the NJDEP with respect to the need for a permit if new trails are to be developed.
Full Report
Ecological Mapping - Entire Park
Van Clef commented that the intensity of trail use dictates the trail maintenance required. Pedestrian use requires little trail maintenance. With respect to Mountain Bike use, he recommends:
- Minimize dual use (pedestrian/bike) to the extent possible – biking can reduce the quality of experience for hikers, dog walkers and nature enthusiasts
- Minimize new trail creation to the extent possible – the creation of trails inevitably reduces natural habitat. For example, utilize existing gravel road that traverses the southern portion of Park as opposed to creating new trails
- Avoid creating or utilizing existing trails with steep slopes to reduce erosion
- Avoid creating or utilizing existing trails with poor drainage to reduce rutting
- Avoid stream crossings without bridges to reduce rutting and impacting
stream banks - Monitor regularly and often for unofficial trail creation and modifications
and remove as they occur. Several already exist at the Park and more might be expected if the Park is known for bike trails.6
Emile DeVito, Ph.D. , Manager of Science and Stewardship, New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Member of Board of Directors of the Rahway River Watershed Association
Like Van Clef, Devito also found gem areas of the park that should be preserved. In particular, pristine forest areas have old soil that has not yet been infiltrated by invasive plants. Its carbon content and density are protective – provided it is not disturbed by land use.
DeVito recommends that active recreation be limited in the park to previously disturbed areas where invasive plants are already present. However, DeVito also noted that areas undergoing ecological restoration should not be used for active recreation. Such areas should be off limits except for very limited passive recreation on trails.
DeVito also suggested that streams only be crossed by NJDEP permitted bridges. Finally, he noted that the town should consider the small overall area of the park as it considers further trail development.
FOBP looks forward to a “bright” future collaborating with the town to develop a sustainable nature park.
Like Van Clef, Devito also found gem areas of the park that should be preserved. In particular, pristine forest areas have old soil that has not yet been infiltrated by invasive plants. Its carbon content and density are protective – provided it is not disturbed by land use.
DeVito recommends that active recreation be limited in the park to previously disturbed areas where invasive plants are already present. However, DeVito also noted that areas undergoing ecological restoration should not be used for active recreation. Such areas should be off limits except for very limited passive recreation on trails.
DeVito also suggested that streams only be crossed by NJDEP permitted bridges. Finally, he noted that the town should consider the small overall area of the park as it considers further trail development.
FOBP looks forward to a “bright” future collaborating with the town to develop a sustainable nature park.
FOBP looks forward to a “bright” future collaborating with the town to develop a sustainable nature park.