Taxing Long Island
News12 New York
Download the App
Where to Watch
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
Stony Brook Medicine

Coyote sighting closes Westfield's Brightwood Park

Brightwood Park closed Saturday afternoon after Westfield police say they received an alert of a coyote sighting.

Lanette Espy

and

Kimberly Bukowiec

Jul 3, 2023, 12:44 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A second park in New Jersey closed over the weekend due to an aggressive animal being spotted.

Brightwood Park, a 44-acre nature preserve on Prospect Street, closed Saturday afternoon after Westfield police say they received an alert of a coyote sighting around 11:30 a.m. The park is still closed until further notice.

Some residents in the Westfield area were surprised to hear about the news. They told News 12 New Jersey that just because the park is closed doesn’t mean coyotes are not running around private property.

RELATED: Coyote attacks at least 2 people at South Mountain Reservation, officials say

The coyote sighting in Westfield comes days after officials said two people and a dog were attacked Friday by a coyote at Mountain Reservation in Maplewood. Portions of the park were closed off.

A couple of reminders:

  • Be mindful of your surroundings.

  • Take precaution.

  • Do not feed any animal.

Police and animal control are investigating the coyote sighting in Brightwood Park. Police say they will continue to update the community.

More Stories

Top Stories

01:21
416JODI6AM_2026-04-16-06-10-33

30-year-old man killed in crash involving tractor-trailer on Cross Bronx Expressway

01:58
BX F P1 AM 2

Summer-like warmth continues in The Bronx today with cooler weather ahead

housing

New York City sues landlord over alleged short term rental scheme

00:35
416graciemansionguiltyplea_2026-04-16-07-40-54

2 men plead not guilty in alleged Islamic State-inspired bomb attempt outside New York mayor’s home

01:44
416rebuildingthebronx_2026-04-16-06-17-43

Former Royal Coach Diner building to be turned into combination Sonic and Zaxbys

00:30
416horse_2026-04-16-12-19-44

NYPD officer on horse chases down purse snatcher in Manhattan

01:27
416morrisheightsassault_2026-04-16-05-14-22

Transit crimes up 175% this year in Morris Heights; police search for BX36 bus assault suspects

00:30
DOCcorruption10pZC_2026-04-15-22-23-26

Corrections captain, 10 officers accused of submitting phony timesheets and stealing nearly $230K in pay

01:28
allertonaveattackCM_2026-04-15-22-09-03

Bloody scene unfolds outside Allerton building after 2 men attacked with mystery weapon

02:00
tremontaveneedlesCM_2026-04-15-17-06-02

'Miserable' Tremont residents react to visible drug use

00:33
BX12PMBODEGACATS_2026-04-16-12-14-21

Paws off bodega cats: New bill could remove city's prohibition on cats in retail food stores

02:11
VIOLENTARRESTAB530PM_2026-04-15-17-35-41

NYPD: Officers' badge, guns removed following chaotic arrest inside Boerum Hill Liquor store

01:29
delisuedCM_2026-04-15-22-17-46

Mott Haven deli facing lawsuit after unsanitary conditions

01:59
rtblazersCM_2026-04-15-22-57-30

Road Trip Close to Home: Williamsburg sports bar putting women's sports front and center

03:54
nypdlawsuit41526Cm_2026-04-15-17-20-44

Bombshell lawsuit alleges KKK image, racist messages appear in NYPD group chat

02:04
32BJSTRIKEVOTEAB10P_2026-04-15-22-25-51

Thousands of NYC building workers vote ‘Yes’ on potential strike

01:41
missingmanwithautismCM_2026-04-15-17-12-27

‘He is not looking for trouble, he's maybe just trying to survive,’ says mom after disabled son goes missing

01:35
X Comet C2025

Rare comet visits our early morning sky this week

02:14
5P HOCHUL TAX PLANSST_2026-04-15-17-16-18

Governor proposes second homeowners in NYC to pay extra taxes

00:23
AP26105587936686

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices