| Summertime - June 15, 2024 Brightwood News Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou Green Heron Rescue Recently, a Friend of Brightwood Park Director, Chuan-Chu Chou, and a friend visited the park around 7:30 in the morning, only to hear the sounds of a young bird struggling in the water..... Read the story Birders' Paradise in Brightwood Park Photo by Danny Mo With 143 bird species spotted in Brightwood Park, it is a paradise for birds and birders alike. Check out the ebird.org list and see how many species you can find in the park! ebird.com brightwood list Why are the Young trees in Cages? FOBP Fall reforestation project Trees can't run away, so why the cages in the park? Though there are many older trees in the forest, there are too few saplings for reforestation into the future. The sparsity of saplings coupled with diseases that are wiping out trees, such as the fatal beech leaf disease currently spreading throughout Union County, pose a further risk to the future of the park's forest. We need to protect saplings in the forest from deer that forage for meals and rub their antlers on young trees killing them. Happy Trails to You! Photo by Lisa Seela “ Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir That is, dirt or at least stonedust! With the continued support and guidance of the Westfield Public Works Department, the Friends of Brightwood Park has been busy in its efforts to maintain the pond loop trail. Most recently, dedicated volunteers have worked on water diversion strategies to stop erosion in problem areas. TrailS Native Plant Project Penstemen Digitalis Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou Rudbekia on the parking lot slope! Photo by Denise Ricci Have you seen some new blooms in the park? For several years, FOBP has been spreading native plant seeds in the park to prevent invasive plant spread and to address potential erosion issues. This year, we are seeing the fruits of our labors with many native plants popping up around the park. Earlier this spring, bright yellow golden alexanders and golden ragwort bloomed. More recently, milkweed, coreopsis and penstemon digitalis aka foxglove beardtongue have begun to bloom. Soon areas will be blanketed with rudbekia, i.e. black-eyed Susans. Perhaps most stunning is the new view from the parking lot down to the pond. The profusion of native plants not only is beautiful, but these plants are performing vital erosion control of the slope! Pollinators' Delight Indian Blanket The parking lot pollinator garden will be bigger and better this summer! Initially, we seeded cosmos, zinnia, partridge pea and Indian blanket in a small section. The blooms were a favorite of park visitors. Since that first year, we have begun to introduce native plants that will increase biodiversity in the area. This year, the garden extends from one end of the parking lot to the other with even more native plants and, of course, the very popular, cosmos. Our ultimate goal will be a native plant pollinator garden that is self-sustaining! Education Programs Photo by Lisa Seela It has been a busy spring in the park! In cooperation with the Westfield Recreation Department, FOBP offered a variety of classes and events in the park. There were nature classes for children and a Read Across America Dr. Seuss The Lorax story book walk. FOBP also co-sponsored Brightwood Park Day with the Green Team, Plein Air Painting with the Westfield Art Association, and Pastel Class with Donna Stein for youth. FOBP also offered history tours and guided park tours with Lifelong Westfield, the Garden Club, and the Rake and Hoe Club. FOBP thanks our many volunteers who make this all possible. Things to do With Children Outdoors This Summer Looking for something fun to do outside with the kids? Try OUt These Activities Fall Class and Event Schedule September 19- Animals in Brightwood Park October 17- Birds Are Special October 26- Jack O Lantern Trail, Rain date, Oct. 27 November 21 - Is It a Bird, a Plane? No, It’s a Cloud! December (date TBA) - Wild Art in the Park Fall Class Descriptions Nature Detectives Red Fox Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou Brightwood has been home to red foxes for many years. These shy canines have adapted well to living in suburban environments and are rarely seen by human park visitors. Territorial by nature, they mark trees with their scent to claim the area. It seems that recently the foxes have been facing territorial challenges in the park from new coyote neighbors. MORE about red foxes Volunteer Spotlight Friends of Brightwood Park is a grass roots volunteer organization on a mission to restore the park and to educate about the environmental benefits of biodiversity. The work we do would not be possible but for the generous contributions of time and talents by our many volunteers. In appreciation, we offer a spotlight on volunteers in the park. This edition: Stella Alvo . Stella has been volunteering with us for years working on our database - a formidable charge - as well as helping at many of our other events. We thank her for her generosity of spirit and positivity. It is truly a gift having such a brilliant and joyful person working with our group! Would you like to volunteer your talents, meet other passionate and fun people, and make this one little slice of nature healthier? Join us!! Email Us! Let's be buddies |
Summertime - June 15, 2024 | |
|
|
|
Green Heron Rescue
Recently, a Friend of Brightwood Park Director, Chuan-Chu Chou, and a friend visited the park around 7:30 in the morning, only to hear the sounds of a young bird struggling in the water.....
| |
| |
|
Birders' Paradise in Brightwood Park | |
|
With 143 bird species spotted in Brightwood Park, it is a paradise for birds and birders alike. Check out the ebird.org list and see how many species you can find in the park! | |
| |
|
Why are the Young trees in Cages? | |
 FOBP Fall reforestation project |
Trees can't run away, so why the cages in the park?
Though there are many older trees in the forest, there are too few saplings for reforestation into the future.
The sparsity of saplings coupled with diseases that are wiping out trees, such as the fatal beech leaf disease currently spreading throughout Union County, pose a further risk to the future of the park's forest.
We need to protect saplings in the forest from deer that forage for meals and rub their antlers on young trees killing them.
| |
|
|
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir
That is, dirt or at least stonedust! With the continued support and guidance of the Westfield Public Works Department, the Friends of Brightwood Park has been busy in its efforts to maintain the pond loop trail. Most recently, dedicated volunteers have worked on water diversion strategies to stop erosion in problem areas.
| |
| |
|
Penstemen Digitalis Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou | | |
Rudbekia on the parking lot slope! Photo by Denise Ricci | | |
|
Have you seen some new blooms in the park?
For several years, FOBP has been spreading native plant seeds in the park to prevent invasive plant spread and to address potential erosion issues. This year, we are seeing the fruits of our labors with many native plants popping up around the park.
Earlier this spring, bright yellow golden alexanders and golden ragwort bloomed. More recently, milkweed, coreopsis and penstemon digitalis aka foxglove beardtongue have begun to bloom. Soon areas will be blanketed with rudbekia, i.e. black-eyed Susans.
Perhaps most stunning is the new view from the parking lot down to the pond. The profusion of native plants not only is beautiful, but these plants are performing vital erosion control of the slope!
| |
| |
|
 Indian Blanket |
The parking lot pollinator garden will be bigger and better this summer! Initially, we seeded cosmos, zinnia, partridge pea and Indian blanket in a small section. The blooms were a favorite of park visitors.
Since that first year, we have begun to introduce native plants that will increase biodiversity in the area. This year, the garden extends from one end of the parking lot to the other with even more native plants and, of course, the very popular, cosmos. Our ultimate goal will be a native plant pollinator garden that is self-sustaining!
| |
 Photo by Lisa Seela |
It has been a busy spring in the park! In cooperation with the Westfield Recreation Department, FOBP offered a variety of classes and events in the park. There were nature classes for children and a Read Across America Dr. Seuss The Lorax story book walk. FOBP also co-sponsored Brightwood Park Day with the Green Team, Plein Air Painting with the Westfield Art Association, and Pastel Class with Donna Stein for youth.
FOBP also offered history tours and guided park tours with Lifelong Westfield, the Garden Club, and the Rake and Hoe Club. FOBP thanks our many volunteers who make this all possible.
| |
Things to do With Children Outdoors This Summer | |
Looking for something fun to do outside with the kids? | |
Fall Class and Event Schedule | |
September 19- Animals in Brightwood Park
October 17- Birds Are Special
October 26- Jack O Lantern Trail, Rain date, Oct. 27
November 21- Is It a Bird, a Plane? No, It’s a Cloud!
December (date TBA) - Wild Art in the Park
| |
 Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou | Brightwood has been home to red foxes for many years. These shy canines have adapted well to living in suburban environments and are rarely seen by human park visitors. Territorial by nature, they mark trees with their scent to claim the area. It seems that recently the foxes have been facing territorial challenges in the park from new coyote neighbors. | |
Friends of Brightwood Park is a grass roots volunteer organization on a mission to restore the park and to educate about the environmental benefits of biodiversity. The work we do would not be possible but for the generous contributions of time and talents by our many volunteers. In appreciation, we offer a spotlight on volunteers in the park. This edition: Stella Alvo.
Stella has been volunteering with us for years working on our database - a formidable charge - as well as helping at many of our other events. We thank her for her generosity of spirit and positivity. It is truly a gift having such a brilliant and joyful person working with our group!
Would you like to volunteer your talents, meet other passionate and fun people, and make this one little slice of nature healthier? Join us!!
| |
|
|
| |
|
