Friends of Brightwood Park
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  • Home
  • PRESERVE & RESTORE
    • Ecology >
      • RutgersSiteVisit
      • Ponds
      • Reforestation
    • Invasive Species
    • NativePlants
    • Trails Maintenance
    • Clean Ups
    • ScoutProjects
    • noelTaylor
  • ENJOY
    • Calendar
    • Photos
    • GreenHerons
    • Birding
    • Trail Maps
    • coyotes
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • History
    • neighborhood
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo >
      • archive
    • presidentReport-Jan-21
    • Volunteer Spotlight
    • newsletters
    • PastEvents >
      • Halloween-24
      • brightwoodDay-24
      • Halloween-23
      • halloween-22
      • PleinAirPainting
      • brightwoodDay-23
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • JPL blog

Sustainable Trails in Brightwood

 Brightwood Park has 1.4 miles of trails, some running along old roadways and others through  old growth pristine forest.  The half mile pond loop trail has a stonedust surface that circumnavigates the large pond for leisurely walks or strolls.  

For those more adventurous, the two bridges trail remains a true dirt trail about one mile long.  It meanders through forest, over two small bridges, and out to Fanwood Avenue. 
If you see any trail damage or obstacles such as fallen trees or branches as you walk the trails, please notify Westfield Department of Public works directly. Notifying the Friends of Brightwood park would allow us to follow up on any repair or removals that may be needed to be done by the town.

FOBP Volunteers At Work


 
With the continued support and guidance of the Westfield Public Works Department, FOBP has been busy in its efforts to maintain the pond loop trail.  Dedicated volunteers periodically restore stone dust along the pond loop trail and have worked tirelessly on water diversion strategies to stop erosion in problem areas.  
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trailsforsmallacreages.pdf
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“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  
​      -  John Muir
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Trails in Brightwood are multi-use

Most trails in Brightwood are narrow; the primary users are walkers but biking is permitted on trails.

These trails are not conduits to a destination, they are, themselves, the destination.   The Friends of Brightwood is working to make the experience of walking the trails as interesting and quiet and beautiful as possible.

We ask bikers to be thoughtful and and considerate of all other trail users, especially hikers and family groups, dog walkers, etc.  Please be aware that there may be pedestrians around the next corner.

Multi-use trails work if:
  • There are many primary users but only a few secondary users.
    ​
    -Trails for Small Acreages, University of Arkansas, Dept. of Agriculture



Biking at Brightwood
biking on trails is permitted on designated trails, but let's be thoughtful

  1.  In such a tiny park, ecological restoration is not compatible with active recreation in the same spot. - Emile DeVito, Manager of Science and Stewardship, NJ Conservation Foundation, after visiting Brightwood Park in 2020, 
Currently there are no single use trails at Brightwood Park.  The Friends of Brightwood are focussed on restoring the ecology of the park, particularly in the areas that have native, intact soil.  

Building new park trails, particularly in the pristine areas,  is discouraged by the environmental studies  See the 2020 Brightwood Ecology  Report.  

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Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


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