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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
Friday, May 23, 2025
05/23 Greenbelt Native Plant Center Tour and Gardening
at Greenbelt Native Plant Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Greenbelt Native Plant Center staff for a tour of the facility and a day of plant care and grounds maintenance.
Free!
5/23 Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Strack Pond (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Restoration Fridays this spring!
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Children's Gardening Classes
at South Brooklyn Childrens Garden, Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
The South Brooklyn Children’s Garden is thrilled to announce that we will be offering free Children's Gardening Classes for kids ages 4-7 years old. Classes take place rain or shine!
Free!
Kids
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Crotona Park Stewardship Saturday
at Crotona Tennis House (in Crotona Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join staff to clear leaves and debris from around Indian Lake, remove trash from our large park zones and help to keep Crotona Park looking great!
Free!
Historic New York: Ridgewood Reservoir
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join NYC's Urban Park Rangers and for a walk at the Ridgewood Reservoir highlighting the history, ecology and engineering of this cultural treasure.
Free!
Super Seedlings
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Play and plant with your little one! Super Seedlings is a FREE, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers.
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Volunteer Workday: Family Community Garden (Brooklyn)
at Family Community Garden Brooklyn, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Family Community Garden and NYC Parks GreenTHumb for a hands-on volunteer project planting a vast, native pollinator garden!
Free!
Board Games, Cards, and Flowers
at NYCHA Grant Houses Community Garden, Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join the gardeners at Grant Shade Garden for an afternoon of Board Games & Card games. Bring a favorite game & some friends!
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Spring Blooming Hike
at Winchester Boulevard, under Grand Central Parkway (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Spring has sprung. Experience the beauty of spring with the Urban Park Rangers as you explore the vibrant plants and flowers that emerge during this season.
Free!
“The Park is my Remedy” Walk
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore the gardens along the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park and learn to identify plants that are valuable to your health and wellness.
Free!
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Sunday, May 25, 2025
05/25 Greenbelt Native Plant Center Gardening
at Greenbelt Native Plant Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Greenbelt Native Plant Center staff to help care for the diverse group of native plants we grow to be planted in parks and restoration projects throughout the city.
Free!
CANCELLED: Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Free!
Ranger Gardening Club: Gardening 101
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn about the different species and uses for various plants in our park. Be inspired to start your own garden at home.
Free!
Public Garden Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx , Perkins Visitors Center (in Wave Hill), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens every Sunday. Each walk varies with the Guide leading it.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Family Camping: Brooklyn
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday May 14.
Free!
Family Camping: Queens
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday May 14.
Free!
Monday, May 26, 2025
05/26 Greenbelt Native Plant Center Gardening
at Greenbelt Native Plant Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Greenbelt Native Plant Center staff to help care for the diverse group of native plants we grow for parks and restoration projects throughout the city.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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!
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!
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!
Horseshoe Crab Walk and Coastal Cleanup in the Rockaways
at Park entrance at the end of Amstel Blvd. (in Vernam Barbadoes Peninsula), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team! This cleanup coincides with the new moon high tide, which is an ideal time to witness the annual horseshoe crab spawning season in Jamaica Bay.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Friday, May 30, 2025
05/30 Sunset Park Street Care
at Brizzi Playground, Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees!
Free!
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in 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!
05/30 Greenbelt Native Plant Center Papermaking Workshop
at Greenbelt Native Plant Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Greenbelt Native Plant Center for a seed paper making workshop! Attendees will learn to make plantable paper from recycled pulp embedded with native seeds.
Free!
5/30 Restoration Fridays at Highland Park
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Restoration Fridays this spring!
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Kids
Sip & Paint: Kids Edition
at ENY Oasis Community Garden, Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Bring your little artists out for a creative afternoon full of color, laughter, and community. This special event is perfect for young artists ages 1 to 17.
Free!
Kids
Family Camping: Bronx
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday May 21.
Free!
Saturday, May 31, 2025
05/31 North Shore Street Tree Care
at Broad Street and Tompkins Avenue (in Rev. Dr. Maggie Howard Playground), Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship and HEALTH for Youths as we care for local street trees!
Free!
Idlewild Park Black Birders Week Bird Walk
at Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center (in Idlewild Park)
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Celebrate inclusivity in outdoor spaces! Join New York City Bird Alliance educator Ronnie Almonte and Parks staff for a Black Birders Week bird and plant walk in Idlewild Park.
Free!
Event
Riverside Park Birding Club
at 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park, led by Riverside Park Conservancy Field Staff.
Free!
Event
Wildflowers of Marine Park Walk
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Join botanist Zihao Wang from Torrey Botanical Society to seek out beautiful wild plants, insects, and their fascinating relationship.
Free!
Event
Black Birders Week Celebration: Birds & Bites
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Celebrate #BlackBirdersWeek at Randall’s Island Park with a day of bird-themed fun and activities!
Free!
Event
Joe Michaels Mile Saltmarsh Planting
at Near the LIRR Overpass on Joe Michaels Mile (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Stewardship Team as we restore sensitive saltwater marsh habitat in Joe Michaels Mile with a volunteer plug planting!
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Free!
Catch Them All Nature and History Scavenger Hunt
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park)
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found when the metaverse meets nature.
Free!
Kids
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