Urban 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!
Based on New York State guidance for sports and recreation during COVID-19, we’ve put protocols into place to keep our participants and staff safe and healthy. We're asking everyone to help us stay safe:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Maintain six feet of physical distance between households
- Wear a face covering
- Wash your hands
Additionally, we encourage participants to bring their own hand sanitizer to our programs.
Some programs may be modified, rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, health, or safety concerns.
Urban Park Rangers Events
Saturday, March 13, 2021
The Pelham Bay Super Hike
at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This challenging hike winds its way through many diverse forests and ecosystems in Pelham Bay Park. Participants are chosen by lottery.
Free!
Women's History Month: Honoring Women in Central Park
at Central Park, Manhattan 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in exploring monuments of Central Park influenced by and dedicated to the contributions of historic women.
Free!
A Horse of Course
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and our Parks Enforcement Patrol Mounted Unit to learn about our specialized enforcement unit in Parks. We will also take a nature walk on the bridle path at Forest Park.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Creating Music from Nature
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Discover which trees and natural materials are used to build modern-day musical instruments.
Free!
Urban Park Ranger Volunteer Litter Cleanup
at Nelson Avenue and Tennyson Drive (in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park), Staten Island
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
This season, please join the Urban Park Rangers to clean and beautify Seaside Wildlife Nature Park. We look forward to cleaning up the park with you!
Free!
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Historic New York: Putnam Greenway Bike Tour
at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Hop on your bike and take a spin along this historic trail with the Rangers. Lottery registration is required.
Free!
Women's History Month: Gravesend Cemetery Tour
at Gravesend Cemetery, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this historic tour of Gravesend Cemetery and learn about Lady Deborah Moody and her connections to Gravesend.
Free!
Birding: Raptor Watch
at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Appropriate for all skill levels.
Free!
Urban Park Ranger Volunteer Litter Cleanup
at Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive (in Bayswater Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
This season, please join the Urban Park Rangers to clean and beautify Bayswater Park. We look forward to cleaning up the park with you!
Free!
Spring Ahead Night Hike
at Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
On our hikes, you may explore nature, discover our City's rich history and diverse culture, or just unplug form the world to clear your head. Registration required.
Free!
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Nature Exploration: Marine Park
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers for a nature exploration walk through Marine Park.
Free!
Signs of Spring Hike
at Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women's Histroy Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Join the Rangers as we discuss the impactful affect of women in wildlife conservation, past and present.
Free!
Event
Nature Exploration: Seton Falls Park
at East 233 Street and Baychester Avenue (in Seton Falls Park), Bronx 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join our Urban Park Rangers on a nature exploration hike through the Grand Canyon of the Bronx! Our Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City parks.
Free!
Women's History Month: Explorers and Trailblazers
at Beach 96th Street & Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come learn about trailblazing women, such as Victorian-era scientist Mary Anning and aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, while the Rangers lead you on an exploration of Rockaway Beach and the Women Veterans Monument.
Free!
Historic New York: Fort Tryon
at Anne Loftus Playground (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in exploring the natural and human history of Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Birding: Spring Migrants
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, we search for birds that have gotten an early start on the Spring migration season.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Gulls and Shorebirds
at Sand Lane and Father Capadanno Boulevard (in Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots. Registration is required.
Free!
Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt
at Crotona Park E & Charlotte Street (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Stretch out the winter wearies with a hike through Crotona Park in search of buds, blooms, birds, and other signs of spring.
Free!
Historic New York: Nature and Design of Prospect Park
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walking tour at Prospect Park.
Free!
Central Park Rocks! Geology Hike
at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The island of Manhattan is built on three strata know as Manhattan Schist, Inwood Marble, and Fordham Gneiss. Join our Urban Park Rangers on this hike and find out why Central Park rocks!
Free!
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Birding: Spring Migrants
at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, we search for birds that have gotten an early start on the Spring migration season.
Free!
Kids
Outdoor Skills: Fire Making
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What can you use to build a fire? Explore with the Urban Park Rangers as we look for different materials and ways to construct a fire. Registration is required.
Free!
Women's History Month: Anne Hutchinson
at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will hike to Split Rock, highlighting the life and death of Anne Hutchinson, a key figure in the development of religious freedom in the English American colonies.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: City Squirrels
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!
Historic New York: Fort Totten
at Fort Totten Visitor Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens 
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
A pristine stretch surrounding a preserved Civil War fortress, Fort Totten Park provides a fascinating glimpse into New York's past.
Free!
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Birding: Birding 101
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. On this program, learn the very basics of bird watching as a hobby.
Free!
Kids
Nature Exploration: Clove Lakes Park
at Park Drive and Clove Road (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
On Nature Exploration Hikes we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. Registration is required.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Fire Building
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn primitive and modern methods for making fire safely and responsibly while exploring the great outdoors.
Free!
Coastal Scavenger Hunt
at Beach 86th Street (in Rockaway Beach), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
You never know what you may observe on this exploration of clues left behind by some of the species that call this area their home.
Free!
Spring Nocturnal Hike
at West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
As the sun sets the darkness-loving creatures come out. We will explore northern Central Park at night and try to find the things that squeak, growl, or hoot in the night!
Free!