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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, 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!
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!
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
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!
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
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!
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring and Stewardship
at Stapleton Waterfront Park
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.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!
Saturday, August 16, 2025
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!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
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!
Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From seeing them on your favorite trails to reading about them in fairytales–witness these nature “tails” come to life and learn about Bronx urban wildlife in our summertime stories!
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Hart Island Tour (South 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 August 6, 2025.
Free!
Friday, August 22, 2025
Family Camping: Bronx
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
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 Aug 13.
Free!
Staten Island Bio Blitz: Nocturnal Wildlife
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Be a part of this community science event with this Ranger led activity, as we explore the woods and identify what nighttime critters we find.
Free!
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Staten Island Bio Blitz: Pond Ecology
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of this community science event with this Ranger led activity, as we explore Willowbrook Park pond and identify what plants and animals live in this aquatic habitat.
Free!
Nature Exploration and Clean Up
at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a clean-up and nature exploration in the borough’s largest park.
Free!
Living With Urban Coyotes
at Entrance - Mt. Eden Parkway and Morris Avenue (in Claremont Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about the basic biology of these super smart and energetic animals.
Free!
Rockaway Beach Boardwalk Bike Tour
at Beach 9th Street Entrance, Queens
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Bike with the Urban Park Rangers along the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk stopping to learn about some nature and history along the way.
Free!
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Basic Canoeing
at Holten Ave. and Purdy Place (in Wolfe's Pond Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.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!
Hidden Gems of Staten Island: Snug Harbor
at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Learn about local flora and fauna during this expedition through this landscape rich with sights both big and small. Bring your bug spray.
Free!
Seining and Shore Exploration
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Explore the shore of Orchard Beach and get ready to get your hands wet; seining program participants don waders and use large nets to catch fish and other marine life.
Free!
Family Camping: Queens
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
6:00 p.m.–7:00 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 Aug 13.
Free!
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Beachy Bike Tour
at Cedar Grove Beach (in Great Kills Park), Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Explore the beach on two wheels with the Urban Park Rangers! Bring your own bike and helmet.
Free!
Bike the Bronx River Greenway
at Rosedale and Lacombe Avenue (in Soundview Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Bike the Bronx River with the Urban Park Rangers and cycle back in time to learn about history of the surrounding area and the revitalization of the Bronx River. Bring your own bike
Free!
Sensory Perception Hike
at 130th Street and 11th Avenue (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Engage your sense of touch, smell, sight, and hearing as we explore the natural world.
Free!
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Historic New York: Privateers, Pirates, and New York’s Golden Age of Piracy
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we delve into the world of pirates in New York’s history. Uncover the true story of Captain William Kidd, a complex figure who navigated the murky waters.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Maps and Compasses
at Center
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come learn about maps, compasses, and more with the Urban Park Rangers. Learn how to use these tools, and what to do when lost in the wilderness.
Free!
Nature Sketching
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
With our Urban Park Rangers as your guide, draw inspiration from life's greatest artwork—the natural world—and create your own masterpiece or capture your favorite awe-inspiring moments
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage and Weaving
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn the ancient art of weaving, an activity historically done during the winter months using materials that were harvested and processed during warmer seasons.
Free!
Family Camping: Staten Island
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
6:00 p.m.–7:00 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 Aug 20.
Free!
Tuesday, September 9, 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 August 27
Free!
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Hart Island Tour (South 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 September 11, 2025.
Free!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
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 the Urban Park Rangers!
Free!
Event
Fall Festival
at Fort Totten Park Lawn (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us for a free Fall Festival. Enjoy family fun games & activities, puppet show, and more!
Free!
Kids
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