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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
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!
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!
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