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.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Volunteer Workday: Clayton Williams Garden
at Clayton Williams Memorial Garden, Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a volunteer workday at Clayton Williams Garden in Harlem, where we'll tackle seasonal maintenance tasks, including debris cleanup and mulch spreading.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Winter is an amazing time of year to observe seals in the Long Island Sound.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Hiking, Wildlife
Free!
Winter Wonderland Craft
at Maine Avenue and Willard Avenue (in Westerleigh Park)
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how the cold weather brings changes in landscape and habitats in our parks and discover the composition of snowflakes and how each one takes a unique shape.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Event
Monday, January 20, 2025
Ferry Point Park Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coastal Cleanup
at Emerson Ave. & Harding Ave. (in Ferry Point Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us protect coastal areas in Ferry Point Park!
Category: Birding, Education, Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Hiking, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Event
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Living With Urban Coyotes
at Playground (in Ferry Point Park), Bronx
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Learn about the basic biology of these super smart and energetic animals.
Category: Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Seal Exploration
at Sharrott Avenue and Hylan Boulevard (in Lemon Creek Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Winter is an amazing time of year to observe seals in our waters.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations
at 82nd Avenue and Hollis Hills Terrace (in Cunningham Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Birding: Raptors
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 as we explore Inwood Hill Park's ecosystem and determine what kind of raptors make it their home.
Category: Birding, Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Owls and Birds of Prey
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Led by our STEM team, you will learn about barn owls and snowy owls. These are two different types of birds of prey.
Category: Education, Nature, Best for Kids, Wildlife, STEM Classes
Kids
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Coney Island Street Tree Care and Coastal Cleanup
at Park House (in Kaiser Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come work with NYC Parks Stewardship to care for local street trees and coastline!
Category: Education, Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Winter Sensory Perception Hike
at Seaview Avenue Lawn (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Explore the sights, sounds, smells and feel of winter on this exploratory hike. Connect with nature in fun and new ways while learning more about the season.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at West 108th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Birding: All About Woodpeckers
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park)
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they guide you through the forest of Alley Pond Park while highlighting the signs and tracks of woodpeckers.
Category: Birding, Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Groundhog Day Hibernation Hike
at Martling Avenue and Slosson Avenue (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Did Staten Island Chuck see his shadow this morning? Find out on this hike while learning more about how other animal species spend their winters in New York City parks.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Volunteer Workday: Phoenix Community Garden
at Phoenix Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join community gardeners and GreenThumb staff for a volunteer workday to build raised garden beds, expanding the garden's capacity to grow fresh food.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Kissena Park!
Category: Nature, Wildlife
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Winter is an amazing time of year to observe seals in the Long Island Sound.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Bug Buddies!
at Queens County Farm Museum (in Queens Farm Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Calling all bug enthusiasts for a monthly Bug Buddies program with our STEM Coordinator and resident bug expert, Keith McManus!
Category: Education, Nature, Best for Kids, Talks, Wildlife, STEM Classes
Kids
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Category: Birding, Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Parking Lot - Winchester Boulevard and Union Turnpike (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Hiking, Wildlife
Free!
RESCHEDULED: Volunteer Workday: George Washington Carver Community Garden
at George Washington Carver Community Garden, Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn how to join a GreenThumb community garden and participate in garden maintenance activities at George Washington Carver Community Garden in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Wildlife, Gardening
Free!
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Category: Birding, Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Birding: All About Pigeons
at Lawn Area (in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Pigeons are among some of the most abundant species of birds in our city. Learn more about what makes these birds so unique and interesting.
Category: Birding, Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Hiking, Wildlife
Free!
Monday, February 17, 2025
Kids Week: All About Owls Hike and Craft
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about all about owls while taking a hike through the trails of Blue Heron Park. End the afternoon with an owl nature craft.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Natural Dyes
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park rangers in using plant materials to make fabulous dyes! Bring a white cotton clothing item or get a handkerchief to tie-dye
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
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 on a fun nature scavenger hunt! Set sail through Brooklyn’s winter flora and fauna on a wild scavenger hunt! Follow the trail of urban wildlife and unique pl
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Playground for All Children (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a fun nature scavenger hunt! Participants will learn how to use a map to uncover hidden clues and discover the nature in the park along the way.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Exploration for Kids
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
The natural world is the best playground in New York City! Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike through the wonders of Central Park..
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Kids Week: Nature Origami Art
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn some origami! Learn to make frogs, birds, and other nature using only paper and your imagination.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Survival Skills for Kids
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Rangers will demonstrate how to properly start a fire without matches, and give kids a chance to try themselves.Rangers will also be teaching shelter building and other skills
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birds of Play
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers and learn how birds fly, design your own paper “bird-plane,” and compete to see who rules the skies!
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!
Kids Week: Tree Tunes
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a day of musical fun in Prospect Park. Learn about all the different ways our forest can sing and join our natural band!
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Bingo
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we search to fill our Bingo Cards with sights and sounds of the season! We will use our senses to explore the local flora and fauna.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Friday, February 21, 2025
Alley Pond Park Forest Restoration
at Northern Boulevard and 234th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Alley Pond Park!
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Wildlife
Free!
Kids Week: Hibernation Staycation
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers at the Fort Greene Visitor Center for an afternoon by a nice warm fire. Check out some of the furs that keep our native animals warm in winter.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Birding for Kids
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Bird watching can be fun, especially during the winter season. Learn all about different ways to identify birds in our parks.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, School Break: Spring Recess, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Meet the Critters
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center 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: Poetry Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Beach 35th Street and Beach Channel Drive (in Bayswater Park), Queens
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us in the afternoon for poetry writing by the fire. Let's come together to share our unique poems and create new ones that capture the essence of the season.
Category: Nature, Best for Kids, Urban Park Rangers, Kids Week with the Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Kids
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Alley Pond Park Forest Restoration
at Northern Boulevard and 234th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Alley Pond Park!
Category: Nature, Volunteer, Wildlife
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Winter is an amazing time of year to observe seals in the Long Island Sound.
Category: Nature, Urban Park Rangers, Wildlife
Free!
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Category: Nature, Fitness, Volunteer, Outdoor Fitness, Hiking, Wildlife, Walking
Free!