NYC Parks Events Calendar
Get up, get out, and do something! Just about any day of the year, you can find something fun, informative, and healthy to enjoy at an area park. Feel free to browse the listings below, or use the search tools to find an event that matches your interests and location.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Getting Ready for Spring Planting - Ponderosa Workday
at Ponderosa Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Ponderosa Community Garden is getting ready for the 2025 season! Help the garden group replace old beds, build new beds, and many other related chores.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Junior Arborist Day at Tompkinsville Park
at Tompkinsville Park at Victory Boulevard (in Tompkinsville Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Arbor Day Month! Learn about trees, identify trees and care for trees.
Category: Education, Nature, History, Best for Kids, Tours, Volunteer, Urban Park Rangers, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Easter, It's My Park, School Break: Spring Recess, Talks, Waterfront, Hiking, Walking, Gardening
Free!
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Category: Arts & Crafts, Birding, Nature, Art, Best for Kids
Free!
Family Fun Nature Walk
at Van Cortlandt Golf House (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx 

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Start your family’s Spring Break off with a walk through VCP with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance!
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, School Break: Spring Recess
Free!
Kids Week: Magnetic Archery
at Lawn Area (in McKinley Park), Brooklyn
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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Fresh Creek Wetlands Restoration with the Opportunity Hub
at Fresh Creek Nature Preserve, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect wetland areas in the Fresh Creek Nature Preserve! Volunteers will support restoration work and learn the importance of ecosystem health.
Category: Education, Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Outdoor Fitness, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Kids Week: Native Planting Party
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay 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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Event
Kids Week: Kids Science Fair
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an amazing day of science. Channel your inner Scientist with three amazing hands-on experiments.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Playground (in Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto 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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Event
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 

1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Tours, It's My Park, Seniors, Accessible Activities
Creatures of the Night with Tenafly Nature Center
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island 

7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Discover what really makes an animal nocturnal and what they need to survive.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Wildlife
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, It's My Park, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
River Cleanup/ Park Clean up at Shoelace Park
at Shoelace Park, Bronx
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help the Conservation Crew remove litter and debris from the Bronx River and surrounding parkland.
Your efforts not only protect wildlife & the Bronx River ecosystem, but they also help us identify the sources of trash so we can stop the pollution where it starts!
All necessary cleanup and planting materials will be supplied by the Alliance."
Category: Volunteer
Free!
Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Training
at Bronx River House (in Starlight Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Calling all community scientists! Please join us for an introduction to the 2025 water quality monitoring season. This is an opportunity for you to acquire field safety guidelines, learn how to record observational data and collect a water sample, and meet other water quality stewards! Water quality sampling takes place on Thursday mornings between May – October.
NOTE: The training is mandatory to be able to participate in this program. Previous water quality volunteers are encouraged to attend! Help us advocate for a fishable, swimmable Bronx River.
Category: Education, Nature, Volunteer
Free!
Kids Week: Ranger Games
at Entrance - Bard Avenue and Delafield Place (in Walker Park), 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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Category: Arts & Crafts, Birding, Nature, Art, Best for Kids
Free!
Garden Bench Build Volunteer Workday
at Jardin de las Rosas, Bronx
12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join Jardin de las Rosas for a volunteer day to clean up the garden and build new garden benches! Participants will practice basic carpentry skills and learn how to become an active garden member.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 

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. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view spring birds.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers
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.
With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Rangers will lead you to the best spots to view spring birds.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 

1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Tours, It's My Park, Seniors, Accessible Activities
Kids Week: All About Bats
at Forest Park Visitor Center (in Forest Park), Queens 

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for National Bat Appreciation Day as we hike Forest Park in a search for our nocturnal friends.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers
Free!
Kids
Friday, April 18, 2025
Pelham Bay Park Forest Restoration
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx 

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health.
Category: Nature, Volunteer
Free!
Forest Fridays: Forest Restoration in Van Cortlandt Park
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s forest! Join us Fridays, 9 AM–12 PM, to remove invasive plants, maintain trails, and plant native species. Tools, gloves, and training provided. No experience needed — just sign up for a specific date and get ready to make a difference!
Category: Nature, Volunteer
Free!
Forest Fridays: Restore Van Cortlandt Park's Forest
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Help protect and restore the forests of Van Cortlandt Park — one of NYC’s most ecologically significant green spaces.
Category: Nature
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Category: Nature, Gardening
Free!
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Category: Arts & Crafts, Birding, Nature, Art, Best for Kids
Free!
Kids Week: Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Freshkills North Park Entrance (in Freshkills 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
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding Bingo
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a fun game of bingo where participants will learn about different birds that call New York City their home.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Spring Story Time in the Garden
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Native Planting Party
at Entrance - East Broadway & Essex St (in Seward Park), Manhattan 

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.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Queens County Farm Hayrides!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens 

1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Visit the Farm Store to purchase your ticket for a tractor-drawn hayride throughout the farm.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Tours, It's My Park, Seniors, Accessible Activities
Saturday, April 19, 2025
It's My Park at St. Mary's Park
at St. Mary's Park, Bronx 

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Friends of St. Mary's Park to do a general clean-up at St. Mary's Park.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
Kensington Street Tree Care
at 42nd Street and 16th Avenue
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees.
Category: Nature, Volunteer
Free!
It's My Park at Westerleigh Park
at Westerleigh Park, Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Westerleigh Parks Coalition to rake leaves and clean debris around Westerleigh Park.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
It's My Park at The Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground
at Martin's Field (in The Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground), Queens
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Green Earth Urban Gardens to beautify The Olde Towne of Flushing Burial Ground.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
It's My Park at Marine Park
at Carmine Carro Community Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with Marine Park Alliance to beautify Marine Park.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
GCC Pollinator Garden and Spring Spruce Up!
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island 

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day with a variety of educational and stewardship activities.
Category: Volunteer
Free!
It's My Park at Francis Lewis Park
at Francis Lewis Park Comfort Station (in Francis Lewis Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Volunteer with Friends Of Francis Lewis Park to beautify Francis Lewis Park.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
Volunteer With EQA: Turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us turn an unsightly lot into a Botanical Garden.
Category: Nature, Gardening
Free!
It's My Park at Asser Levy Park
at Asser Levy Park Play Area (in Asser Levy Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Friends of Asser Levy Park to beautify the park and tend to the gardens.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
Raised Bed Build Volunteer Day
at Good Life Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Good Life Garden! Volunteers will learn and practice carpentry skills by assisting gardeners with building raised garden beds.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Volunteer Garden Workday at Vernon & Throop Community Garden
at Vernon and Throop Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Vernon & Throop Community Garden! Volunteers will help prepare the garden for spring by cleaning debris, pulling weeds, and organizing garden tools.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Explore Pelham Bay Park: The Central Woodlands
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx 

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Pelham Bay Park on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Hiking
Free!
It's My Park at Claremont Park
at Claremont Park, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with Camp Uwani to do a general cleanup at Claremont Park.
Category: Volunteer, It's My Park
Free!
Volunteer Workday at JD Wilson Memorial Garden
at Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden (in ), Manhattan 

10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join Joseph Daniel Wilson Memorial Garden for a volunteer workday to help work on the pond, build a new kiddie table, turn and spread compost & more!
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Prep the Garden Volunteer Day at Ujamaa Garden
at Ujamaa Community Garden, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Come meet and lend a hand to the members of Ujamaa Northeast Community Garden! Volunteers will help the gardeners with cleaning up, organizing, spreading earth matter, and more.
Category: Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Out Of The Box Biodiversity Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Donna Napoli-Steele Presents
Out Of The Box Biodiversity
Upcycled Cardboard Sculpture, Raku Fired Clay, Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Category: Arts & Crafts, Birding, Nature, Art, Best for Kids
Free!
Volunteer Workday at Ashford Learning Garden
at Ashford Learning Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the garden group at Ashford Learning Garden for a day of planting seeds, cleaning tools, shed, and help prepping for the garden's Easter Egg hunt for the community.
Category: Volunteer, Earth Day & Arbor Day, Gardening
Free!
Easter Egg Hunt
at West 23rd Street Community Garden
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Come to West 23rd Street Community Garden for an Easter Egg Hunt for children 12 years and under. Refreshments will be served. Fun for the whole family!
Category: Nature, Games, Easter
Free!