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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, August 2, 2025
Birding: Shorebirds
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Learn more about plovers, terns, oystercatchers and other shorebirds that migrate to Rockaway Beach every year.
Free!
Event
Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Playground (in Barretto Point Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 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. All equipment provided.
Free!
Event
Nature Sketching
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a mild hike to Goodhue Pond and back, stopping along the way to sketch what speaks to us most.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Wild-Plant Bouquet Making
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens 
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join our knowledgeable Rangers on an identification walk and learn how to create stunning natural bouquets that will remain vibrant both fresh and dried. Best for Ages 12 and older.
Free!
Event
Outdoor Skills: Knot Tying and Weaving
at Parking Lot (in Manhattan Beach Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Explore Manhattan Beach’s seashell bounty while learning the basics of hand-held weaving and knot-tying.
Free!
Event
Saltwater Fishing
at American Veterans Memorial Pier, Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will guide participants in basic angling skills as well as introduce some of the inhabitants of Brooklyn’s estuaries
Free!
Woodlands Hike
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn all about the biodiversity of the oldest growth forest on Manhattan Island with the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Adventure Course Free Public Sunday Morning Program
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Free Public Sunday Programs- Free programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Morning program registration takes place from 9:30am-10:00am. Please dress appropriately.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage Workshop
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn how to identify plants traditionally used for cordage making.
Free!
Nature Photography
at Bronx River Community Garden (in ), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Whether you have a SLR camera or just a simple cell phone camera, learn basics of photography and see our parks through a new lens.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Fantastical Nature Home Creation
at Bowling Green Cottage (in Parade Ground), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to fashion whimsical tiny houses from elements sourced in nature that conjure a sense of magic.
Free!
Event
Seashells of the North Atlantic
at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers will introduce you to the natural wonders that wash up on the shores of the city’s beaches and what that means about the ecosystem just beneath the waves.
Free!
Event
Urban Wildlife: Reptiles and Amphibians
at Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park, looking for and learning about the turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders that call New York City home.
Free!
Event
Adventure Course Free Public Sunday Afternoon Program
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Free Public Sunday Programs-Free programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Afternoon program registration takes place from 1:00pm-1:30pm. Please dress appropriately.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Tide Pools
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Explore the shore with the Urban Park Rangers as we take a closer look at these temporary habitats and find out the many creatures that call tide pools home.
Free!
Event
Historic New York: New York Harbor
at 43rd Street and 1st Avenue (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore the significance of New York Harbor in both the past and present and learn about the working harbor and its role in global supply chains.
Free!
Event
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!
Event
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Hart Island Tour (North Island)
at Hart Island, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore Hart Island's unique past, present, and future. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday July 23
Free!
Event
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Archery and Nature Exploration
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
All equipment will be provided. Ages 8 and older. We will also explore the flora and fauna of Willowbrook Park. Lottery registration opens Wednesday July 30.
Free!
Friday, August 8, 2025
Family Camping: Manhattan
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
7:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday July 30
Free!
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Seining
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Our experienced Urban Park Rangers teach the ecology of our waterways on every seining program. All equipment is provided; this program is recommended for ages 8 years and older.
Free!
Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 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 July 30
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Dyes Workshop
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in making and using natural dyes from berries, fruits, and roots.
Free!
Magnetic Archery
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
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. All equipment provided.
Free!
Tree Identification Hike
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Want to know more about NYC’s favorite tree? Walk with the Urban Park Rangers! Together we’ll find out the unique history and biology of the London Plane, and what makes it so special
Free!
Insect Exploration: Insects of the Night
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
8:00 p.m.–9:30 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!
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Adventure Course Free Public Sunday Morning Program
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Free Public Sunday Programs- Free programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Morning program registration takes place from 9:30am-10:00am. Please dress appropriately.
Free!
Seining and Beach Cleanup
at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Learn all about the creatures that make their homes in the space between tides and help maintain the shore for a healthier ecosystem by participating in a trash cleanup.
Free!
Freshwater Fishing
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our experienced Rangers teach the ethics of fishing and the ecology of our waterways. All equipment will be provided. Ages 8 and older.
Free!
Historic New York: Downtown Brooklyn History Super Hike
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in a history tour of Downtown Brooklyn. Learn about Brooklyn’s role in the Revolutionary War and the aftermath that led to its first parks.
Free!
Urban Wildlife: Amphibian Exploration
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an exploration of the amphibian species that call the park home! Good shoes are recommended.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: Resident Rodents
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Rangers will give a guided hike of the preserve and describe the resident rodents of New York City.
Free!
Kids
Saltwater Fishing
at Valentino Pier, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Rangers will guide participants in basic angling skills as well as introduce some of the inhabitants of Brooklyn’s estuaries
Free!
Adventure Course Free Public Sunday Afternoon Program
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Free Public Sunday Programs-Free programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Afternoon program registration takes place from 1:00pm-1:30pm. Please dress appropriately.
Free!
Seton Falls Park Clean-Up
at Entrance - Baychester Avenue and Crawford Avenue (in Seton Falls Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and fellow community members to clean and beautify Seton Falls! Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable clothing and get ready to do your part.
Free!
Nature Exploration: Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike in the North Woods to see a few of Central Park’s wonderful waterfalls! See some turtles and birds and make it to the historic Blockhouse
Free!
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring and Stewardship
at Stapleton Waterfront Park
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Oysters and other bivalves act as natural filters for our shores. Learn more about these phenomenal creatures and other marine life at this Billion Oyster Project site along The Narrows
Free!
Friday, August 15, 2025
Family Camping: Brooklyn
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
7:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday August 6.
Free!
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Doggie Day Hike
at Picnic House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Join us on an early hike through Prospect’s most dog-friendly hangs while playing some dog and human trivia!
Free!
Canoeing: Island Hopping
at Canoe and Kayak Launch (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Spend a afternoon exploring the islands that surround the Orchard Beach estuary by canoe. Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday August 6
Free!
Basic Canoeing
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our trained Urban Park Rangers will lead you on canoe adventures that range from the gentle waters of protected lakes to the challenging open waters of rivers and bays. Ages 8 and up
Free!
Discovery Hike: Soil Testing
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore and contents of the ground beneath us.
Free!
Planting the Native Garden
at Narrows Botanical Gardens (in Shore Park and Parkway), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exploration of the seasonal flowers at Narrows Botanical Garden. Learn all about the Native plants that call our neck of the woods home
Free!
Salt Marsh Ecology
at Ward's Island Footbridge (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike to Hell Gate Salt Marsh (and more) to learn about the ecology and wildlife that inhabit this underappreciated environment.
Free!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Adventure Course Free Public Sunday Morning Program
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Free Public Sunday Programs- Free programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Morning program registration takes place from 9:30am-10:00am. Please dress appropriately.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Urban Wildlife
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and others survive in our urban environment while searching for some of these species.
Free!
Stewardship and Seed Bomb Creation Hike
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers removing Japanese stilt grass and other introduced species on the forest floor then throw seed bombs filled with native seeds.
Free!
Kids
Historical Games
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Go back in time with the Urban Park Rangers and learn the games played by children of the past in early New York City by both the Lenape and immigrants from Europe, among others.
Free!
Intermediate Canoeing
at Spring Creek Dock (in Fresh Creek Nature Preserve), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
All canoe programs are for ages 8 years and older. Participants must have prior canoeing experience. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday August 6
Free!
Plant ID Hike and Sketch
at Lefrak Center at Lakeside (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about the diverse plant life of Prospect Park with the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
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