10/18/2026
25 TREES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR— that’s the power of community when we rally to support our Westwood residents. There are so many people and organizations to thank who made this memorial tree planting service for Serenity Lynn a day to remember.
First, thanks to Rick Woods and the DPW who personally walked Lake Street, Brookside Ave, Grove Street, and Maple Avenue with Chair Dan Zambrano to mark locations; they then dug all 25 holes (with cones) and delivered each tree.
Thank you to our Borough Clerk Jean-Marie Vadovic and Administrative Assistant Jo-Ann Forcellati for sending residents letters of intent to plant trees in the right of way.
Thank you to Borough Administrator Durene Ayer for coordinating between departments, helping us pivot to move more trees to Brookside Park, and supporting Shade Tree in everything we do.
Thank you to Westwood Recreation Director Gary Buchheister for graciously accepting our initiative to plant our first memorial tree with a time capsule and plaque at Brookside Park.
It was so special to have over 60 people show up and help plant 13 Magnolia Butterfly trees (yellow flowers) and 12 Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry trees. When you drive down Lake Street, you will be greeted with the same yellow flowers of the Magnolia Butterfly tree as you make your way down to the memorial Magnolia Butterfly tree just behind the Brookide Park sign.
When Serenity Lynn’s family friend Anouska approached us with the idea about planting a tree in her memory, our committee was inspired to duplicate the success of this past spring’s efforts and plant another 25 trees as a community. Our Americorps partner, Phoebe Galione, was also up for another volunteer event opportunity.
The success of our two Arbor Fest planting blitzes is due to one very special group of volunteers that has never said no when asked for help planting trees: Alpha Beta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Thank you Tahese Warley, President of the chapter’s sorority, for always coming through. It is because of you that we were able to plant 25 trees in less than 2 hours back in April. I cannot thank you enough for your service.
We close out our 2026 season with 50 trees planted by the hard work of both Westwood residents and friends, Mayor & Councilmembers, Borough Employees, and organizations that are part of our Bergen County neighbors.
A final thanks to Councilwoman Erin Collins, our Shade Tree liaison, for always picking up Dan’s calls and jumping into action when he has crazy ideas.
