Preserving Brightwood ParkThe ecosystem in the park is threatened from out-of-control growth of invasive species, aggravated from deer browsing of the native species, erosion of the trails, and excessive nutrients in the lake and pond.
Friends of Brightwood Park is working in all these areas to strengthen and preserve the park. You can help by becoming a member and attending the clean up events. |
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Invasive Species Abatement
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Invasive species are usually plants and animals that have been introduced into environments where they had never been before.
Some were accidental introductions; others were deliberate and thought to be useful additions to farmland or of horticultural interest. The problem with invasive species is that their new environment usually doesn’t have the natural enemies that exist in the environments from which they originate. Without diseases, predators or foragers, these species tend to dominate the new situation to the detriment of native plants, animals and environment generally. More on invasive species in Brightwood Park |
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Park Clean-Up Events
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The Friends of Brightwood held a number of volunteer clean up days at Brightwood during the fall.
Take a look at the the energy and progress! |
Nature Trail Development
Vickie Williams has found another interesting publication, Nature Trail Development on Small Acreages published by University of Arkansas. At page 8 there is a table of recommended design standards for different types of trails. Interestingly, the recommended distance for a mountain bike trail is 5-20 miles (more than 2 times the length JORBA proposes).
The publication has other interesting discussion of trails’ impact on vegetation and habitat.
Vickie Williams has found another interesting publication, Nature Trail Development on Small Acreages published by University of Arkansas. At page 8 there is a table of recommended design standards for different types of trails. Interestingly, the recommended distance for a mountain bike trail is 5-20 miles (more than 2 times the length JORBA proposes).
The publication has other interesting discussion of trails’ impact on vegetation and habitat.
Rahway River Association and Previous Restoration Efforts
At one time, Brightwood Park was the subject of serious nature study with a publication by Noel Taylor in 1981 that described the natural history, geology and ecology of the site. The booklet described all the species of fauna and flora that lived at Brightwood Park at the time.
In one of the most ambitious restoration effort thus far, the RRA retained the services of Ecological Solutions, LLC to develop a habitat restoration plan for Brightwood Park. Thanks to a generous grant by Conservation Resources, Inc., the RRA is planned to remove invasive plants, re-introduce native vegetation en masse, reconnect water bodies to reduce eutrophication and launch a public education initiative on site with local volunteers. Unfortunately, this plan was not acted upon.
In one of the most ambitious restoration effort thus far, the RRA retained the services of Ecological Solutions, LLC to develop a habitat restoration plan for Brightwood Park. Thanks to a generous grant by Conservation Resources, Inc., the RRA is planned to remove invasive plants, re-introduce native vegetation en masse, reconnect water bodies to reduce eutrophication and launch a public education initiative on site with local volunteers. Unfortunately, this plan was not acted upon.