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Wild NYC is at the other end of your doorstep! Explore New York's urban forests, streams, and wildlife with these fun outdoor activities.
Nature Events
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Freedom Seekers: Stories by the Fire
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an outdoor storytelling program exploring the history of the Underground Railroad.
Free!
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Team RIVER Volunteers
at Randall's Island Park, Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Ranger Tot Time
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of kid friendly activities and exploring the Inwood Hill Nature Center.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Friday, November 27, 2026
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
at Kissena Park, Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Event
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Rangers on a lengthy hike in High Rock Park. Boots and/or sneakers required.
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: The Alley Giant
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Buddy Monument (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays this fall to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Super Hike
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!
Free!
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. This hike will take you through the hills of Inwood Hill and
Free!
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Gratitude Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Escape to a weekend devoted to beauty, creativity and gratitude!
Event
Hibernation Hike
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn about the amazing adaptations and behaviors different species rely on to prepare for and survive the upcoming winter months.
Free!
Kids
Orienteering Fundamentals
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn to navigate through the Greenbelt as people did long before GPS, with a compass and a map!
Free!
Kids
Gather Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue (in Hunter's Point South Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join NYC’s Urban Park Ranger and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Sunday, November 29, 2026
Unplugged Nature Exploration Hike
at Union Turnpike and 196th Street (in Cunningham Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a peaceful morning hike that invites participants to slow down, observe their surroundings, and connect with nature through mindful listening.
Free!
Birding: Winter Birds
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various birds that stick around for the winter and some that might fly through on their journey south
Free!
Exploring Nature Through Poetry
at Richmond Terrace Park, Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore the natural beauty of Richmond Terrace Wetland Park as we reflect on the landscapes of Staten Island Parks and create poems of our own.
Free!
Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Unleash your creativity and learn about the many animals who call our parks home while you write your very own puppet show about our furry and feathered friends!
Free!
Kids
Discovery Hike: Marine Mammals
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rockaway Beach has recently been a prominent site to view marine mammals such as whales and seals. Learn more about the different types of marine mammals that can be seen off the shores
Free!
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
at Entrance - Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street (in Long Pond Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi.
Free!
Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Thursday, December 3, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Friday, December 4, 2026
Pelham Bay Park Tree and Shrub Planting
at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees and shrubs in the forest of Pelham Bay Park!
Free!
Bush Terminal Park Restoration and Cleanup
at Entrance on 1st Ave. & 50th St. (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect wetland areas in Bush Terminal Park! Volunteers will help us remove vegetation and debris in order to help restore the wetland.
Free!
Horticulture Helpers at Highland Park
at Jamaica Ave and Linwood St
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Highland Park Horticulture Helpers this fall to learn some basic gardening skills!
Free!
Event
Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Buddy Monument (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Pelham Bay Park Tree and Shrub Planting
at Rodman's Neck (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees and shrubs in the forest of Pelham Bay Park!
Free!
Myrtle Avenue Clean Up
at Jackson Pond Playground (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for a Forest Park Spring Clean Up in our park!
Free!
Winter Haven Opening Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Winter Haven returns this December to Wave Hill, inviting you to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of the garden.
Birding: All About Crows
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn more about crows, a highly intelligent and sociable bird species.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Enjoy the morning gathered around a fire with the Urban Park Rangers. We will participate in activities such as stories, songs and more.
Free!
Nature Open Mic
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Nature provides inspiration. Come show off your talents and how nature inspires you.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Beginner Birding
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce beginner friendly resources that can make birding fun for anyone! Binoculars will be provided.
Free!
Kids
Gather Around the Campfire
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the afternoon gathered around a fire with the Urban Park Rangers. We will participate in activities such as stories, songs and more.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk of McCarren Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Old Mill Road and Richmond Hill Road (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found where the metaverse meets nature
Free!
Kids
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Winter Haven Opening Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Winter Haven returns this December to Wave Hill, inviting you to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of the garden.
Birding: Owls and Owl Pellet Discovery
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls and dissect their pellets to see what they eat. You will be surprised by your discovery.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - 85th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Winter Wildlife
at Playground (in Brower Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to discover the residents of NYC Parks and how they are toughing through the winter months.
Free!
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
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