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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
Monday, October 19, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
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!
Stargazing on the High Line
at On the High Line at 13th Street (in The High Line), Manhattan, under The Standard, at 13th St. (in The High Line), Manhattan
8:15 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line!
Free!
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Wetland Wednesdays: Phragmites Control and Native Planting at Van Cortlandt Park
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer wetland restoration at Van Cortlandt Lake: cut invasive phragmites and plant native willows and shrubs. Wednesdays in October, 9 am - 12 pm.
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!
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!
Senior Community Day
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the Inwood Hill Nature Center and build community. This month's Senior Community Day will be a watercolor day.
Free!
Native Plant Planting Day!
at Bay 84th Street Community Garden, Queens
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Join us at Bay 84th Street Community Garden as we are planting native plants around the garden.
Free!
Thursday, October 22, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Learning Garden (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
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!
Friday, October 23, 2026
Forest Fridays: Volunteer Forest Restoration at Van Cortlandt Park
at Van Cortlandt Classic Playground (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer forest restoration along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail: remove invasive bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose. Fridays in October, 9 am - 12 pm.
Free!
Kissena Park Tree and Shrub Planting
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees in the forest of Kissena Park! Volunteers will be trained in proper planting techniques.
Free!
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Highland Park Horticulture Helpers
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 autumn to learn some basic gardening skills!
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!
Pumpkin Painting & Fall Festivities
at Fantasy Garden
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Fantasy Garden welcomes all for an afternoon of free fall festivities in this beloved green space. Come enjoy the garden, connect with neighbors, and learn more about getting involved!
Free!
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Kissena Park Tree and Shrub Planting
at Kissena Park, Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees in the forest of Kissena Park! Volunteers will be trained in proper planting techniques.
Free!
Eibs Pond Park Forest Restoration
at Eibs Pond Park, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Free!
Community Work Day
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Get your hands dirty with fun farm projects!
Free!
Nature Exploration and Restoration
at Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to walk along the newly opened trails of Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park, recently restored by hundreds of volunteers and stewards.
Free!
Tiny Dwellings in the Heritage Garden
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hands‑on garden workshop. Rangers will share tips on growing native plants in New York City and highlight the stories hidden within this greenspace.
Free!
Halloween Boo Bash
at White Garden (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come in costume and celebrate Halloween with themed activities, crafts, music, treats, and more!
Free!
Event
Halloween Fest 2026
at Monument Plaza (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Get ready for what’s in store, Halloween Fest is back with more! Dress up in your best costumes and join us on Saturday, October 24 (Rain date: Oct 25) from 12:00–4:00pm.
Free!
Birding: Fall Migration
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Riverside Park to look for fall migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Red Shed Community Garden's Fall Potluck
at Red Shed Garden, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
There will be a pie contest, dog costume contest, face painting and more! Costumes are encouraged!
Free!
Kids
FDB Garden Annual Halloween Event
at Frederick Douglass Blvd Community Garden, Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come to Frederick Douglass Boulevard Community Garden (FDB) for the garden group's Annual Halloween Party! There will be a candy bag giveaway, face painting, and pizza.
Free!
Kids
5th Annual Halloween Party
at Lentol Garden, Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Come to Lentol Garden for the 5th annual Ghosts and Goblins Halloween party in the garden. Family fun and activities for all. Costumes encouraged!
Free!
Kids
La Plaza Cultural 50th Anniversary Celebration
at La Plaza Cultural, Manhattan
4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Join us at La Plaza Cultural to celebrate the garden's 50th Anniversary!
Free!
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Urban Farm Volunteers
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Whether you are new to our farm or have been a tried-and-true volunteer, join us! You can help us take care of this important educational resource.
Free!
Art in the Garden: Spooky Season Decor
at Patchen Community Square, Brooklyn
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
No prior artmaking experience needed, all skill levels and age groups welcome! Supplies, prompts, and guidance provided. October theme is Spooky Season Decor
Free!
Grow Your Own Oyster Mushrooms At Home!
at Maple Street Community Garden, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to grow your own oyster mushrooms using a simple bucket method! Learn the basics of preparing and growing oyster mushrooms using at home supplies.
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.
Geology: Central Park Rocks!
at Harlem Meer (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an exploration of the geology of Central Park and the way that geology shaped how the park was constructed.
Free!
Nocturnal Seining and Shore Exploration
at Fort Totten Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and explore what creatures live below the waves at night in the intertidal zone of the East River.
Free!
Monday, October 26, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Wild Oyster Survey
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to identify oysters and take multiple parameters to determine the abundance, size, and health of the wild oyster population.
Free!
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
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!
Stargazing on the High Line
at On the High Line at 13th Street (in The High Line), Manhattan, under The Standard, at 13th St. (in The High Line), Manhattan
8:15 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line!
Free!
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Wetland Wednesdays: Phragmites Control and Native Planting at Van Cortlandt Park
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer wetland restoration at Van Cortlandt Lake: cut invasive phragmites and plant native willows and shrubs. Wednesdays in October, 9 am - 12 pm.
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!
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, October 29, 2026
New Dendrology at the Arsenal Gallery
at Arsenal (in Central Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
New Dendrology is a group exhibition featuring eleven artists whose work contributes to the study of trees, offering new insight and connection between humans and their arboreal neighbors.
Free!
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Learning Garden (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
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!
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