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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
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Birding: Spring Migration
at Lafayette Avenue and Colgate Avenue (in Soundview Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Soundview Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Event
Nature Exploration Hike
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Alley Pond Park’s yellow trail, as we venture into the trail and discover all that the park has to offer.
Free!
Event
Greenbelt Hike (Vigorous)
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of the Greenbelt on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Event
Signs of Spring Hike
at Upper Highland Playground (in Highland Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Spring season is upon us and nature adapts to the changes. Let's find some of these adaptations and signs of spring on a hike through the trails in the park.
Free!
Event
Beginner Fishing
at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Our experienced Rangers teach the ethics of fishing and the ecology of our waterways. All equipment will be provided. Recommended for ages 8 and older.
Free!
Event
Earth Month: Conservation and Climate
at West 81st Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we hike through Central Park discussing the philosophy and ethics behind decisions being made to combat climate change and its efficacy in NYC.
Free!
Event
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
at Chapin Avenue and Salzburg Court (in Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Spring Nature Sketching
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about Marine Park’s unique plant and wildlife species through the experience of observation and field sketching.
Free!
Event
Heather Garden Highlights
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a flower walk in the beautiful Heather Garden! Explore the blossoms and learn about the flowers and the history of this little gem.
Free!
Event
Outdoor Skills: Survival 101
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn the basic skills of outdoor survival including fire making, shelter building and water collection among other skills.
Free!
Event
Spring has Sprung Wildlife Walk
at Springfield Blvd and 146th Avenue Entrance (in Springfield Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and explore the fascinating world of young animals and their very early days!
Free!
Event
Tick Talk
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the ticks found in NYC parks and how to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Free!
Event
Nature Trivia: Disc-golfering Your Park
at Upper Highland Playground (in Highland Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Let your competitive spirit soar, both athletically and intellectually as you adventure through Highland Park’s Disc Golf Course while answering nature trivia at each stop.
Free!
Event
Monday, April 6, 2026
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Lawn (in Naples Playground), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature games.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Fire Making
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers atop Fort Greene and learn the basics of fire safety and fire making.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Beach Mural Making
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Let your natural creativity flow! Join the Urban Park Rangers at Orchard Beach to build a communal mural using natural materials.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Earth Month Native Plant Party
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Month with the Urban Park Rangers in a service-oriented event focused on native wildflower planting and its benefits to park ecosystems.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Geology Rocks!
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Learn all about the geological landscape of Manhattan.
Free!
Event
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Hart Island Tour (North Island)
at Hart Island, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers to explore Hart Island's unique past, present, and future. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens Wednesday March 18.
Free!
Kids Week: All About Trees
at Lawn Area - Bay Street and School Road (in Von Briesen Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn all about trees! The Rangers will take a walk around the park sharing how trees grow, how to identify common NYC trees, and some park history.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Animal Habitats
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers for a habitat hike and learn about the process of construction and design behind animal architecture.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Rochester Avenue and President Street (in Lincoln Terrace / Arthur S. Somers Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn the art of archery with free lessons taught by our expert Urban Park Rangers. This program uses safe equipment with magnetic arrows and targets.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Nature Exploration for Kids
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn all the nature that surrounds us on this walk through Central Park.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers welcome you for some nature themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in our local parks.
Free!
Event
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Kids Week: Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Wilson Avenue and Weirfield Street (in Irving Square Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Search for signs of spring on this nature scavenger hunt. Follow the trail of urban wildlife and unique plants and trees, discover something new while having a blast!
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Sensory Perception Hike
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park using your senses of touch, smell, sight and hearing to explore the natural world.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Search for signs of spring on this nature scavenger hunt. Follow the trail of urban wildlife and unique plants and trees, discover something new while having a blast!
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Springtime Celebration
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 crafts, games and other fun activities to celebrate all things spring.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Rosedale and Lacombe Avenue (in Soundview Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn the art of archery with free lessons taught by our expert Urban Park Rangers. This program uses safe equipment with magnetic arrows, foam axes and targets.
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers welcome you for some nature themed puppet shows! Learn more about animals that can be found in our local parks.
Free!
Event
Monthly Nature Exploration Hike Series
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a monthly hike exploring Inwood Hill Park. This month’s hike will be highlighting plant species in Inwood Hill Park.
Free!
Event
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Kids Week: Freshwater Fishing
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Want to go fishing but don’t know how or where to start? Join our Urban Park Rangers for free lessons! Learn how to properly use a fishing rod or cast a net. Ages 8 and up
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Spring Wildlife Crafts
at De Matti Playground (in De Matti Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and make a funny bunny craft to celebrate the spring season! You will be very HOPPY that you did!
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially in the spring. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Earth Month Eco Crafts
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Create your own art piece using items from the natural world as your inspiration.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Immersive Storytelling Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this storytelling adventure! Embark on this quest of survival skills, and learn how to find your way while identifying the flora and fauna of the forest.
Free!
Kids
Friday, April 10, 2026
Kids Week: Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Entrance - Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 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
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Native Planting Party
at Playground of the Stars (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Month discussing pollinators and plants. Don't forget to take home your planted seed to start your own native plant garden.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Color Hunt
at Playground (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the menagerie of emerging colors at Rufus King Park. Hues of yellows, orange, blues and more are featured in flora and fauna alike.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Shelter Building
at Homecrest Playground, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Explore how both humans and different animals build shelters out of natural materials. Practice building traditional shelters and learn useful knots.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, April 11, 2026
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!
Nature Sketching
at Lawn Area (in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Rangers as they hike and sketch the beautiful scenery of Seaside Park, sketching scenes of nature using charcoal and pencils. All supplies will be provided.
Free!
Historic New York: The Highbridge Water Tower
at West 174 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers discuss the significance and history of this recently restored structure. Arrive between 1:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m, to gain admittance. Registration is not required.
Free!
Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Astoria Heights Playground, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn the art of archery with free lessons taught by our expert Urban Park Rangers. This program uses safe equipment with magnetic arrows and targets. All equipment provided.
Free!
Spring Has Sprung Hike
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a spring discovery hike around the marsh! See what’s out and about along the trail.
Free!
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Historic New York: Hunter Island
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Rangers on a walk on Hunter Island and learn about its unique history.
Free!
Freshwater Fishing
at Lefrak Center at Lakeside (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn the art of fishing in Prospect Park. Try your hand at catching some bluegill, crappie and bass. All equipment will be provided. Recommended for ages 8 and older.
Free!
Historic New York: Jackie Robinson's Brooklyn Legacy
at Lincoln Road Entrance (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier 76 years ago and became the first black man to play Major League Baseball. Learn more about Jackie Robinson and his legacy.
Free!
Historic New York: Fort Totten
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about the important role the historic Fort Totten Water Battery played in New York City’s defense history, from the Civil War to today.
Free!
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