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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“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  
​      -  John Muir

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:

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.