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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
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Spring Cherry Blossoms Hike
at Entrance - East 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a super hike of all the best cherry trees in Central Park, from Pilgrim to Cherry Hill to the Great Hill and the Reservoir!
Free!
Creatures of the Night: Bats
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
As the night falls, our fuzzy bat companion rises. Let the Urban Park Rangers be your guide as we learn more about these precious winged friends.
Free!
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Senior Citizen 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 Citizen Community Day will be a spring migration birding day.
Free!
Friday, April 17, 2026
Creatures of the Night: Bat Appreciation Day
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens 
7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on National Bat Appreciation Day to observing local bat species near Strack Pond while learning about the crucial roles that bats play in our urban ecosystems.
Free!
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Birding: Spring Migration
at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exclusive tour of the closed Edgemere Landfill to find bird species migrating through this grassland ecosystem. Lottery opens Monday April 6
Free!
Earth Day Festival
at Monument Plaza (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at Fort Greene Park for a fun, family-friendly day dedicated to celebrating and caring for the Earth.
Free!
Event
Earth Month Intro to Composting
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers and learn the basics of composting. You will learn how to start and maintain a compost bin as well as the different ways you can keep one in an urban setting.
Free!
"Barking Up The Wrong Tree" Identification Hike
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn different ways to identify some common species of trees that are often confused for each other.
Free!
Birding: Hawk Watch
at Avenue A and St. Marks Place (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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.
Free!
Ranger Games
at Playground (in St. John's Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Spend an afternoon of fun with the Urban Park Rangers playing and learning new and exciting nature themed games.
Free!
Kids
Night Hike
at Entrance - 215th Place and 33rd Road (in Crocheron Park), Queens
8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Explore the park at night and learn how animals and humans adapt under the cover of darkness.
Free!
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Nature's Workshop: Nature Bathing and Crocheting
at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they lead a nature bathing and crochet session, a mindfulness practice where you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Registration required
Free!
Spring Blooming Hike
at Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Spring has sprung. Flowers and trees are in full bloom this season. Learn some ways to identify these spring beauties and the important roles they play in our ecosystem.
Free!
Historic New York: Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Discover the history of this Brooklyn landmark that pays tribute to the 11,000 men, women, and children who died on British Prison Ships during the Revolutionary War.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Micro Hike
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Honey, I shrunk the park! Join the Urban Park Rangers to discover the hidden wonders of the microscopic world!
Free!
Waking the Pollinator Garden
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 as we prepare the nature center gardens for the spring planting season. Be prepared to get your hands dirty.
Free!
Spring Cherry Blossoms Walk
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Spring has sprung. Enjoy the scenic views and learn more about the variety of iconic flowering cherry trees of Queens’ flagship park.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools Night Hike
at Union Turnpike and 196th Street (in Cunningham Park), Queens
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the vernal pools of Alley Pond Park. Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are home to many distinct plants and animals.
Free!
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Hart Island Full Island Tour (North and South Island)
at Hart Island, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore the entirety of Hart Island, New York City’s largest public cemetery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday April 8, 2026
Free!
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
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!
Earth Day Hike and Litter Clean-Up
at 130th Street and 11th Avenue (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with the Rangers and do your part by helping to beautify a local Queens park!
Free!
Friday, April 24, 2026
Arbor Day: Celebrate the Trees
at Poppenhusen Avenue and 119th Street (in Hermon A. MacNeil Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a stroll as we learn the vital role trees play in our greenspaces and neighborhoods.
Free!
Saturday, April 25, 2026
City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
at Parking Lot (in Heritage Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24 -April 26.
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Life Under a Log
at Main Entrance (in Seton Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Lets take a walk in the woods, rolling over logs to see who lives underneath and learn about the lively ecosystems dead trees create. We will also log our findings in iNaturalist
Free!
Doggie Day Hike
at Playground (in Bloomingdale Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Spring is blooming, it's time to get all our legs moving. Bring your four legged friends and enjoy a hike with the Urban Park Rangers through one of Staten Island's most scenic parks.
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Biodiversity Hike
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24 -April 26
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Buds, Birds, and Bugs Bonanza
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24-26
Free!
Great Trees of Inwood Hill Park
at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about the benefits trees provide to our urban environment as we enjoy the shade and identify many of our native trees.
Free!
Spring Wildflower Hike
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk around the trails as we learn how to identify native wildflowers. Beginner friendly.
Free!
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Birding: Raptors
at Entrance - Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street (in Long Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Long Pond Park. Learn about the different raptors that call Staten Island “home-” including bald eagles, ospreys, hawks and vultures!
Free!
Birding: Spring Migration
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a journey into the world of avian migration in Alley Pond Park.
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Spring Flowering Tree ID
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24 -April 26
Free!
Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a special access tour of Prospect Park's Grand Army Plaza and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday April 15
Free!
City Nature Challenge Bio Blitz
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24-26
Free!
City Nature Challenge: Seining
at Valentino Pier, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we walk the park to observe and collect data for the City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition taking place April 24 -April 26.
Free!
Historic New York: The Underground Railroad
at Entrance - West 77th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a history tour discussing the underground railroad and its connection to Central Park
Free!
Insect Exploration: Insects of the Night
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Rangers will show you how to attract and identify the diverse menagerie of friendly nocturnal insects that fill the night skies of your local park
Free!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Rockaway Beach and Jamaica Bay Bike Tour
at Entrance - Beach 109th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a bike ride around Jamaica Bay. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Free!
Basic Canoeing
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Few experiences compare with being on the open water in New York City. All canoe programs are for ages 8 years and older.
Free!
Saltwater Fishing
at Entrance-West Street and Greenpoint Avenue (in WNYC Transmitter Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Rangers will guide participants in basic angling skills as well as introduce some of the inhabitants of Brooklyn’s estuaries
Free!
Sensory Perception Hike
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore a lesser-known forest. We will be using all five senses to take in the beauty of this magical trail.
Free!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Magnificent Street Trees of Flushing
at 164th Street and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From a living fossil to a species nearly extinct in the wild, explore the Asian origins and cultural uses of Flushing's magnificent street trees.
Free!
Historic New York: The Little Red Lighthouse
at Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Rediscover the history of this unique landmark. Open access between 1:00pm and 2:45pm. Participants may need to queue for access due capacity limits inside of the structure.
Free!
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Birding: Warbler Watch
at The Overlook (in Forest Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Forest Park to look for spring warblers and more!
Free!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Evergreen Cemetery
at Evergreen Cemetery Entrance (in Highland Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Walk among the beautiful landscaped architecture and explore the connections between the cemetery and New York City's Asian-American population.
Free!
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
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!
Trails, Sails, and Rails: New York Harbor
at 43rd Street and 1st Avenue (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a maritime exploration event as we go bird and boat-watching!. Learn about the working harbor and its role in creating the New York we know today.
Free!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Ocean Haiku Hike
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Wander on the beach with the Urban Park Rangers, pausing to read seasonal-inspired haiku. After, try your hand at writing your own. Prompts provided.
Free!
Oysters and Other Bivalves
at Netherland Monument (in The Battery), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Oysters and other bivalves act as natural filters for our shores. Learn more about these phenomenal creatures their significant role in the history of New York Harbor.
Free!
Spooky Staten Island History and Nature Night Hike
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
On National Paranormal Day, join the Rangers to explore the weird, spooky and strange in Staten Island’s history and nature.
Free!
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