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AccessibilityUrban Park Rangers
Our Urban Park Rangers are full of knowledge about history, astronomy, animals, plants, and more. Attend a Ranger-led event with your family and see how much fun learning can be!
Urban Park Rangers Events
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
They Only Come Out at Night: Inviting Bats to your Garden
at Green Oasis Community Garden/Gilbert's Garden (in ) , Manhattan
5:30 p.m.
–7:00 p.m.
Bats love eating mosquitoes, so we love bats! Join NYC Urban Park Rangers for a workshop on how to create bat habitat in your garden.
Free!
Friday, September 29, 2017
Family Camping: Brooklyn
at Marine Park , Brooklyn
7:00 p.m.
–7:00 a.m.
We camp to create lasting memories, connect with the natural world, and bond with our families. Participants are chosen by lottery. Registration opens on September 20.
Free!
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Ranger's Choice: Paddle and Hike Orchard Beach
at Pelham Bay Park , Bronx
10:00 a.m.
–12:00 p.m.
Join a paddle across the lagoon as we explore the salt marsh and the rich biodiversity found within. We well then land on the shores of the Hunter Island Nature Preserve for a hike.
Free!
Kids Shapes and Colors Hike
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park) , Staten Island
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Compare leaves of all shapes and colors on a guided Fall Foliage Hike through Silver Lake Park.
Free!
Kids
Fall Foliage Walk
at Rose and Oak Avenues (in Kissena Park) , Queens
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
Be sure to bring your camera and prepare for the kaleidoscope of colors.
Free!
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Nature Exploration Hike: Bugs and Butterflies (Light)
at
Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park) , Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
On our hikes, you may explore nature, discover our city’s urban forests, or just unplug from the world to clear your head.
Free!
Kids
Historic New York: Long Island City Parks
at Vernon Boulevard and Main Avenue (in Hallets Cove Playground) , Queens
11:00 a.m.
–2:00 p.m.
This one-way hike will highlight parks along the East River. We will visit Socrates Sculpture, Rainey Park, Queensbridge Park, and end at Hunters Point South. Registration is required.
Free!
Wildlife Walk
at
Belvedere Castle (in Central Park) , Manhattan
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
Bring your family for a guided walk and discover why Central Park is a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans alike.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Summer on the Hudson: Little Red Lighthouse Festival
at
Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park) , Manhattan
12:00 p.m.
–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with visits to the lighthouse interior, readings of eponymous children’s book, fishing clinics, live music, food vendors, and more!
Free!
Kids
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Open House New York: Prison Ship Martyrs Monument
at Myrtle Avenue at Washington Park (in Fort Greene Park) , Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.
–3:00 p.m.
Step inside this historic monument and learn about Fort Greene Park history, the Revolutionary War, and the stories of those who perished during the war.
Free!
Nocturnal Wildlife
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park) , Bronx
6:00 p.m.
–7:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they search for some of the lesser-seen creatures of the night.
Free!
Astronomy: Phases of the Moon
at Pats Lawn (in Inwood Hill Park) , Manhattan
7:00 p.m.
–8:30 p.m.
Get set to hike up the the dark sections of the park away from the neighborhood lights. The Overlook Meadow provides a great viewing location of the night sky.
Free!
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Open House New York: Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse
at 181 Street and Riverside Drive (in Fort Washington Park) , Manhattan
11:00 a.m.
–3:00 p.m.
Rediscover the history of this unique landmark. As part of Open House New York, join the Urban Park Rangers on guided tours of Jeffrey's Hook Lighthouse.
Free!
Event
Ranger's Choice: Primitive Survival Skills
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park) , Bronx
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
If you were dropped into the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back, could you make a fire, build, a shelter, or gather clean drinking water?
Free!
Ranger's Choice: Green-Wood Cemetery History Tour
at Green-Wood Cemetery
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
Learn about the famous New Yorkers buried here as we explore the rolling acres that surround the graves, tombs, and mausoleums of this peaceful place.
Free!
Event
Astronomy
at
Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park) , Queens
7:00 p.m.
–8:30 p.m.
Astronomy programs feature the use of telescopes and binoculars to observe specific astronomical events.
Free!
Astronomy: Constellations
at
Visitor Center (in Conference House Park) , Staten Island
7:00 p.m.
–8:30 p.m.
Astronomy programs feature the use of telescopes and binoculars to observe specific astronomical events.
Free!
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Central Park: Olmsted's Vision
at
West 72nd and Central Park West (in Central Park) , Manhattan
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Join the Ranger's for a stroll through Central Park and discover the vision Frederick Olmsted had for the design of the park.
Free!
Ranger's Choice: Greenbelt Hike (Moderate)
at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course) , Staten Island
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Experience a fall hike with the Urban Park Rangers through the woods of La Tourette Park. The elevated multipurpose trails reveals the beauty of Richmond Creed. Registration is required.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Fire Making
at
Alley Pond Park Adventure Center (in Alley Pond Park) , Queens
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
Learn primitive and modern methods for making fire safely and responsibly while exploring the great outdoors. All programs are family-friendly, but are recommended for ages 8 years and older.
Free!
The Night Sky
at
Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park) , Bronx
6:00 p.m.
–7:30 p.m.
Night Sky programs highlight the history and folklore of the solar system, using the naked eye to locate stars and planets.
Free!
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Historic New York: High Bridge
at West 170th Street and University Avenue (in Highbridge Park) , Bronx
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Join our park rangers on a tour of the historic High Bridge, the oldest standing bridge in New York City.
Free!
Rangers Choice: Nature Art
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park) , Queens
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and create beautiful nature creations by using materials provided by mother nature. Registration is required for this program. Register on October 11.
Free!
Kids
Fall Foliage Hike
at Lenevar Avenue and Ramona Avenue (in Bloomingdale Park) , Staten Island
1:00 p.m.
–2:30 p.m.
The changing colors of autumn are in full swing! Come with the Urban Park Rangers and explore the many different tree species of Bloomingdale Park.
Free!
Astronomy: Orionids Meteor Shower
at Owl's Head Park House (in Owl's Head Park) , Brooklyn
8:00 p.m.
–9:30 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will be your guides to the solar system. The Orionids is an average shower, producing up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.
Free!
Event
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Ghosts of Conference House
at
Visitor Center (in Conference House Park) , Staten Island
7:00 p.m.
–8:30 p.m.
Is Conference House Park Staten Island's most haunted park? Find out on a nighttime hike through an ancient burial ground and into the Conference House. Registration is required.
Free!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Fall Foliage Hike: Cornucopia of Trees!
at
Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park) , Bronx
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Let our Urban Park Ranger naturalists explain why leaves change colors and introduce you to the diversity of trees found in our urban forests.
Free!
Birding: Raptor Migration
at Gateway Drive and Erskine Street (in Spring Creek Park) , Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.
–12:30 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. To enhance your experience we encourage you to bring binoculars and field guides, or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair.
Free!
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
A Haunting We Will Go
at Cedar Grove Avenue and Seafoam Street (in Great Kills Park) , Staten Island
3:00 p.m.
–6:00 p.m.
Enjoy a frightful time with bugs, snakes, ghosts, goblins and the Urban Park Rangers. An event that is fun for all ages! Costumes and bravery welcome.
Free!
Kids
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