FLOW returns to Randall's Island Park for 2012 with five new artists and five new site-specific installations along the Park's southern shoreline.

FLOW is a project of the Randall's Island Sports Foundation and the Bronx Museum of the Arts (BxMA), suported by the Rockefeller Foundation and Made Event.

Start time: 6:00 am

End time: 9:00 pm

Contact phone: (212) 830-7722

Location: Waterfront Pathways along Ward's Island (in Randall's Island Park)

Check for migrant and talk birding with John Young.

Bring your own binoculars, If you have them.

Start time: 9:00 am

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 430-1890

Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park)

Witness hawk migration in Staten Island skies! Join Nature Section hawk watchers to help count raptors including red-tailed hawk, cooper’s hawks, eagles and more!

Start time: 9:00 am

End time: 11:00 am

Contact phone: (718) 483-7105

Location: Egbertville Ravine (in Richmond Parkway )

Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and behaviors on these walks through the gardens and woodlands of Wave Hill. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. For weather-related updates, call (718) 549-3200 x245 by 8AM the day of the walk. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling (718) 549-3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center.

Start time: 9:30 am

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 549-3200

Location: Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill)

Release stress and find refuge from city life by practicing seasonal yoga, surrounded by the beauty of Wave Hill. Hatha Yoga involves the use of physical postures, breath control and meditation to create a supple, strong and relaxed body-mind. Classes are led by Neem Dewji, certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation in Bedfordshire, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute in NYC.

Participants should bring a mat, dress in loosely fitting clothing and come to class with their breakfast well digested. All levels are welcome. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call (718) 549-3200 x245 by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the class for weather updates. Registration opens on-site at 9:30AM.

Photo credit: Joshua Bright

Start time: 10:00 am

End time: 11:15 am

Contact phone: (718) 549-3200

Location: Wave Hill

This multifaceted exhibition examines the life and work of the Impressionist master by highlighting his passion for gardening and the inspiration he drew from his living masterpiece, the garden on the grounds of his home in Giverny, France. Monet's Garden has components in several venues throughout the Garden and has a rich assortment of programming, including concerts and family activities. The curator for this exhibition is Professor Paul Hayes Tucker, the World's foremost authorities on Monet and Impressionism.

Start time: 10:00 am

End time:

Contact phone: 718-817-8700

Location: Watson Building, Room 302 (in Bronx Park)

Bring the kids and visit one of New York City’s richest bird habitats with New York City Audubon guides. Learn how to spot and identify our feathered neighbors in their natural surroundings on a tour through the North Woods.

Bring you own binoculars, if you have; binoculars are also available to borrow in a limited number at the visitor center. Space is limited; please arrive early to sign in. Ages 5+.

Start time: 10:00 am

End time: 11:00 am

Contact phone: 212-860-1370

Location: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (in Central Park)

Join us to view a series of ornamental textiles inspired by the beauty of Staten Island’s Greenbelt.

This exhibit is made possible in part by a DCA Art Fund Grant from the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, (COAHSI), with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Silk Painting Workshop and Reception on Sunday September 29th from 2:00 PM -5:00 PM. For information and registration visit www.statenislandarts.org

Start time: 10:00 am

End time: 5:00 pm

Contact phone:

Location: Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley)

Explore Wave Hill’s greenhouses and the impressive Ecology Building with its original bowling alley and roof of green grass. Then create your own visionary structure using clay, cardboard and natural and recycled materials.

Photo credit: Wave Hill

Start time: 10:00 am

End time: 1:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 549-3200

Location: Wave Hill

From Saturday, October 6, through Wednesday, October 31, The Haunted Pumpkin Garden at The New York Botanical Garden will treat visitors to frightful Halloween fun. Experience the thrills and chills of the season with a garden full of intricately carved pumpkin sculptures, bugs, bats, parties, and parades. On October 20 and 21, master carver Ray Villafane of Food Network fame will transform humongous pumpkins into zombies and other unearthly creatures. Pumpkin sculptures of spooky scarecrows, frightening spiders, sneaky snakes, and more await discovery at every turn in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Every day, youngsters can play inside a “gourd-geous” Pumpkin House, put on a scary show at the Pumpkin Puppet Theater, learn about owls, and join a Halloween Parade, while every weekend offers even more treats.

Start time: 10:00 am

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 817-8700

Location: Watson Building, Room 302 (in Bronx Park)

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and to give back to your city. Volunteer opportunities usually involve manual labor and may not be appropriate for all ages. All equipment is provided.

Start time: 10:00 am

End time:

Contact phone: (212) 304-2365

Location: Inwood Hill Nature Center (in Inwood Hill Park)

Come get lost in our three-acre interactive corn maze. The adventure begins with a “Stalk Talk” to prepare you for the challenge of finding clues, solving puzzles, and making your way out of the maze.

To add to the adventure, join us for Maze By Moonlight on Saturday, October 6th and 13th, when the maze will be open until 9:00 PM.

Feel up to the challenge? Then join us for the fun of getting lost and loving it!
$9 adults; $5 children (ages 4–11)
Group Rates available for 10 or more people. For details and reservations, visit www.queensfarm.org or call (718) 347-3276

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 4:30 pm

Contact phone: (718) 347-3276

Location: Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park)

Pick Your Own Pumpkin

October is Pumpkin Month at the farm! Enjoy the crisp autumn air as you wander through the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. A fun farm treat for the whole family!

Prices are based on size of pumpkin.
This event will take place each weekend in October.

*On weekdays, pumpkins will be available for purchase in our Gift Shop.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 4:30 pm

Contact phone: (718) 347-3276

Location: Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park)

Come play ping pong at Bryant Park!

Paddles and balls will be provided free of charge to all skill levels.

Visit the park and sign up with an attendant, who can arrange a friendly game.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 6:00 pm

Contact phone:

Location: Ping Pong Court (in Bryant Park)

Le Carrousel was specially created to complement the park's French classical style, featuring brightly colored animals and French cabaret music.

$2 per ride, or buy a discount card to enjoy 10 rides for $15.

Weather permitting. Also available for parties.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 8:00 pm

Contact phone:

Location: Le Carrousel (in Bryant Park)

Make the most of your visit and stop by the High Line Field Station to chat with High Line Greeters. These dedicated volunteers can answer your questions and provide information about the park’s unique design, history, horticulture, art, and more.

The High Line Field Station is open every Thursday and Friday afternoon between 3:00 and 7:00 PM, and every Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 7:00 pm

Contact phone: (212) 206-9922

Location: Chelsea Market Passage (in The High Line)

Join us for a series of Tree Giveaway events in local communities where you can pick up a FREE TREE to plant in your own front or back yard!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• 100 trees are available per event.
• Limit one tree per household.
• Register for a tree online ahead of time to make sure you can receive one.
• Registration closed? Limited quantities of trees will be available first come, first served.
• Trees must be planted in the five boroughs.
• Trees cannot be planted along streets, in city parks, in containers, or on roofs.
• Trees must be properly watered and maintained.

For a full calendar of upcoming fall 2012 Giveaways, please see the MillionTreesNYC website.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 1:00 pm

Contact phone: (212) 333-2552

Location: Build It Green! NYC Reuse Center

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends and to give back to your city. Volunteer opportunities usually involve manual labor and may not be appropriate for all ages. Some opportunities require pre-registration. All equipment is provided.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 1:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 352-1769

Location: Fort Totten Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park)

Urban Park Rangers specialize in interpretation of historic turning points, both natural and man-made, in our city’s long history.

Start time: 11:00 am

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 548-0912

Location: Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park)

For more than ten years, the Corinne May Botz searched for ghost stories in buildings across the United States. She ventured into these haunted places with both camera and tape recorder in hand; her photographs, accompanied by first-person narratives, reveal a rare glimpse into American interiors, both physical and psychological.

She says, “The first thing that inspired the project were writers like Edith Wharton, Charlotte Bronte and even Toni Morrison. Often these ghost stories were written by women as a means of articulating domestic discontents. I was interested in the idea of a woman being trapped in the home or by domestic space and how this was expressed in history."

Start time: 11:00 am

End time: 5:00 pm

Contact phone:

Location: Alice Austen House Museum (in Alice Austen Park)

IPAD/IPHONE Photo art and photo editing workshop. Gain massive skills and learn a ton of editing techniques!

Join expert educator, artist and designer Lyle Foxman in this workshop and photo walk funded by COAHSI as he takes you into the world of IPad/IPhone photo art. Packed with tricks, techniques, demonstrations and hands-on tasks, it’s an easy approach for IPad/IPhone and Android Tablet users. Hang on tight as you’re guided through comprehensive exercises on resizing, layers, textures and resolution, color correction, and image touch up. Master advanced techniques for creating eye-popping visuals, tilt-shift photography, panoramic images, sizzling photo effects, and workflows with print, social media, blog and cloud storage service providers. Participants will be encouraged to share their work and create a community blog at http://snapnapp.tumblr.com.

Who Should Take This Course

• Amateur, home photographers/tablet users or anyone looking to improve the quality of their images and their workflow techniques.
• Anyone with and IPad, Iphone or Android tablet device that has access to photo and art apps.
• Anyone who wants to know how to get full quality results using your I-pad, I-phone or mobile device

Staten Island professional photographer Flint Gennari had this to say about Lyle’s September workshop “ With the advent of apps and the availability and ease of smart phones and tablets, a little bit of knowledge will allow anyone to create works of art. No need to reinvent the wheel Lyle’s class offers the information of what’s out there and provides examples of what you can do even if it is your first time transforming your photos into something all will admire”.
Lyle Foxman, has over 15 years experience in the arts, technology and education. He has won numerous arts in education grant awards involving photography, animation and technology. Lyle is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and has just completed his Master's Degree from Touro College in Instructional Technology.

Workshops October 13th & 14th from 11:30am - 1:30pm (limited to 15 participants)
A free photowalk will take place after at the Alice Austen House & Fort Wadsworth October 13 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm (Open to all)
Registration is available online at http://snapnappworkshops.eventbrite.com/
You can also visit the workshop blog at http://snapnapp.tumblr.com/

** Come prepared to the workshops with your fully charged camera, cables, tablet and mobile devices.
Partial proceeds to go to Alice Austen House. This event is made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, with Public Funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Start time: 11:30 am

End time: 1:30 pm

Contact phone: (917) 597-5263

Location: Alice Austen House Museum (in Alice Austen Park)

Join us for a tour through Central Park in which you will see a hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water, and much more!

Groups of seven or more people should call (212) 360-2726 or email tours@centralparknyc.org to schedule a custom tour.

Accessibility level: Easy to negotiate; paths and few stairs - mostly accessible to people with disabilities

Start time: 12:30 pm

End time: 1:45 pm

Contact phone: (212) 772-0210

Location: East 72 Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park)

Play animal charades, pretend to be a bat trying to catch a moth, or join many other fun and active nature games. A Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can be active and learn about the nature that is all around us!

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time: 2:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 287-3400

Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park)

Free tours of the Conference House on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. There is a charge for group tours which are booked separately. Please visit www.conferencehouse.org or call 718-984-6046 for more information.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time: 4:00 pm

Contact phone: 718-984-6046

Location: Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)

View significant artifacts from 19th-century family life and walk into a fully furnished 1820s bedroom. There will be tours every half hour.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time: 3:30 pm

Contact phone: (718) 789-2822

Location: Lefferts Historic House (in Prospect Park)

Join Sidney Horenstein, geologist and Educator Emeritus, American Museum of Natural History, as he leads his geology, history and natural history walk through Dyckman Valley.

Dyckman Street and 125th Street are the only sea level acesses to the Hudson River in the northern half of Manhattan Island. Both developed along major NYC faults and both were the locations of early communities. The walk will point out some of the botanical and geological features of Dyckman Street and the shore path south of it.

This program is generously supported by the Greenacre Foundation and the Fort Tryon Park Trust.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time: 3:00 pm

Contact phone: (212) 795-1388 extension 300

Location: Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park)

Join us for a series of Tree Giveaway events in local communities where you can pick up a FREE TREE to plant in your own front or back yard!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• 100 trees are available per event.
• Limit one tree per household.
• Register for a tree online ahead of time at to make sure you can receive one.
• Registration closed? Limited quantities of trees will be available first come, first served.
• Trees must be planted in the five boroughs.
• Trees cannot be planted along streets, in city parks, in containers, or on roofs.
• Trees must be properly watered and maintained.

For a full calendar of upcoming fall 2012 Giveaways, please see the MillionTreesNYC website.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time: 3:00 pm

Contact phone: (212) 333-2552

Location: MacDonald Park

On Nature Exploration Hikes we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. Moderate hikes are longer, faster paced hikes on rugged terrain. For all hiking programs we recommend wearing comfortable shoes or boots, and packing water and a light snack.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 967-3542

Location: Comfort Station near Eton Place and Richmond Avenue (in Willowbrook Park)

Urban Park Rangers specialize in interpretation of historic turning points, both natural and man-made, in our city’s long history.

Start time: 1:00 pm

End time:

Contact phone: (718) 421-2021

Location: Myrtle Avenue and Broadway

Spend time outside enjoying nature while helping to keep Prospect Park clean. Families can take a tour of the Park and its waterways and help keep it clean along the way. Gloves, garbage bags and trash grabbers will be provided.

Start time: 2:00 pm

End time: 3:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 287-3400

Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park)

With talent from the Columbia University Music Performance Department, the Manhattan School of Music Community Partnerships Program, and French Cookin’ Blues Band.

COLUMBIA KLEZMER BAND
Jeff Warschauer, Coach
Young musicians play the spirited old music of Eastern European Jews.

Start time: 2:00 pm

End time: 3:00 pm

Contact phone:

Location: 116th Street Overlook (in Riverside Park)

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights.

Start time: 2:00 pm

End time: 3:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 549-3200

Location: Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill)

Angel Hernandez, Educator for The Bronx County Historical Society, will lead us to Latino gravesites such as the Queen of Salsa - Celia Cruz, Sugar Importer - Manuel Rionda, and Baseball Hall of Famer - Alexander Pompez. This bilingual presentation will update participants on The Bronx Latino History Project – tour proceeds will help support the initiative.

Start time: 2:00 pm

End time: 3:30 pm

Contact phone: (718) 881-8900

Location: Woodlawn Cemetery

Imagine living as a 19th century New Yorker taking a journey through Central Park. Along the way, you will learn about the Park's history and hear how its designers, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, struggled to turn their visions into our reality.

Groups of seven or more people should call (212) 360-2726 or email tours@centralparknyc.org to schedule a custom tour.

Accessibility level: Easy to negotiate; paths and few stairs - mostly accessible to people with disabilities

Start time: 2:30 pm

End time: 3:30 pm

Contact phone: (212) 794-4064

Location: Outside the Dairy Gift Shop (in Central Park)

Imagine yourself in the past. Learn games, pastimes and tasks that were common 200 years ago. At Lefferts Historic House, you can try your hand at needlepoint, games, and more.

Start time: 2:30 pm

End time: 3:30 pm

Contact phone:

Location: Lefferts Historic House (in Prospect Park)

Talk a walk with one of our naturalists to watch for animals, and investigate little-known facts about the park and its animal residents.

Start time: 3:00 pm

End time: 4:00 pm

Contact phone: (718) 287-3400

Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park)