Early Spring at Brightwood Park
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Practice your tracking skills!  Any idea who made these tracks? 
A brief, but beautiful March 7th overnight snowfall.  Thanks, JPL!

Still,  signs spring are popping up at Brightwood.
photos by Kevin Redden and Chuan-Chu Chou
PictureNeigh orhood Rating Map depicting Scotch Plans (D9) and Westfield Area (D10) by the Home Owner's Loan Corporation (HOLC)
By 1940, the Turkey Swamp neighborhood was surrounded by new development which had paved roads, and water and sewer mains to support indoor plumbing, whereas the 25 homes on Liberty Street, Fanwood Avenue, Netherwood Avenue and Smith Street had rutted, dirt paths for roads, wells for water, and outhouses for sanitation. Perhaps the saddest irony that highlights the disparity in services to neighborhoods is that Plainfield-Union Water Company installed new water transmission mains in Netherwood Avenue in the 1940s and in Liberty Street in the 1950’s, which were directly in front of many of the residents’ homes, but no water service was provided to their homes. 
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Perhaps it was the negative ranking by Federal officials and the notable difference in what were by then considered essential services influenced the President of the Westfield Board of Realtors to announce in 1942

“The twilight zone or ‘blighted area’ of Westfield in the future must place multi-family units in that section for lower income groups. To that end, realtors will conduct a survey and present it to the Town Council”. 

​The Board submitted its report to the Town in 1943; it included photographs of all the homes in Turkey Swamp, and proposed to replace the individual homes through rezoning the area for apartments.  Future newspaper accounts confirm that rezoning the Turkey Swamp area for apartments would be talked about by Town officials and community leaders for ten years, but the rezoning did not occur.
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Given the results from ETC Institute's rigorously conducted survey, there are grounds to wonder why mountain bikes trails would be allowed to replace the natural areas of the Brightwood sanctuary. Look at the PHOTOS section of the website for some of the things hikers (whose priority rating even exceeds that of nature parks) might want to see in Brightwood. Nobody goes to Brightwood hoping to see a mountain bike. But if the trails go in as planned, they will be seen in every direction.

The decision to ignore the survey results is largely due to the influence of JORBA, a statewide mountain biking advocacy group. They managed to get appointed to a group of stakeholders responsible for turning the survey results into the Final Plan. Why they, as opposed to a group representing high priority survey items like hiking or nature parks or paved bike trails has not been explained.
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There is a proposal before the Westfield Recreation Commission by JORBA (Jersey Off Road Biking Association) to add mountain biking trails to Brightwood Nature Preserve.  

Many people have written letters to the mayor, council and local media in opposition - here is a sample.
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The Friends of Brightwood Park oppose this proposal for the following reasons:
 "Nature Detectives- Exploring Clouds and Water"
Participants (child & parent/care giver) will take a guided walk in the park to explore the theme of clouds & water. A themed story will also be shared with each group along with a small craft to be done at home.
*WHO/TIME:
*Ages 2-3 = 10:00 - 10:45 am (limit 10 children)
*Ages 4-5 = 11:00 - 11:45 am (limit 10 children)
 Ages 6-7 = 3:30 - 4:30 pm (child only) (limit 12 children)

WHERE: Brightwood Park (meet in parking lot)
WHEN:  Wednesday June 9-rain* or shine (*heavy rain/dangerous wind/weather date =Wed 7/16)
  Ages 2-3* = 10:00 -10:45 am  
*Child must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver
Wear sturdy shoes for walking the trails. 
Bring a mat or towel to sit on for story time.
 
Program follows CDC/State/Board of Health COVID-19 guidelines. Temperatures will be taken of all participants upon arrival. Masks must be worn when not actively playing as well as social distancing. Anyone showing signs of COVID 19 will not be able to participate. If you or your child are not feeling well or showing signs - please stay home. 
Procedures are subject to change based on CDC/State/Health Department guidelines at time of the program/activity

June 9th
Nature Classes for Kids

Please sign this petition to protect the park.   (But note that any monies donated do not go to Brightwood park)

Yoga Flow Classes 

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​NEW!   Quarterly Member Newsletter 
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Adult Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt

​NuBlend 50-50 cotton poly pre-shrunk hoodie 

Colors:                                Kiwi Green (on backorder) or Forest Green (limited availability) 
Retail Sizes: S-XL:             $22.00 
Retail XXL:                          $27.00 Forest Green Only
Apparently not everyone is a Friend of Brightwood! Many of our lawn signs have been stolen from front yards in recent weeks.

If you'd like a new sign, or a replacement (replacements are free of charge), visit our Shop!  Or just send an email to friendsofbrightwoodpark@gmail.com  with the information and a check for $12.
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​Thanks for your continued support!

What's Up?

Handmade

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Just Add Coffee

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Take Anywhere

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And download the Save Our Sanctuary flyer!