Talks
Nature, history, or just a good time, learn from New Yorkers and experts who have come to New York City's parks to share their stories. Check out these readings and discussions.
Talks Events
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
NYC Parks Job Fair
at St. James Park, Bronx 

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us to learn about job opportunities within multiple divisions at Parks!
Free!
Building the Vital Parks Explorer
at Virtual/Online Events
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Have you ever wondered how parks in your neighborhood compare with others? Meet the Vital Parks Explorer! In this session, the Innovation & Performance Management (IPM) team from NYC Parks will share some highlights of how this public - facing tool was built.
Free!
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Waterfront Data: Bridging Science & Community on Randall's Island
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join RIPA & New York Sea Grant for a discussion on data sharing. After the discussion, join a tour of the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh for a microplastic sampling demo.
Free!
She-Merchants, Sachems, and Slaves: Women in Colonial New York
at Van Cortlandt House Museum (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
In this talk by historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson, you will learn about women’s rights (or lack thereof) in Munsee, Iroquois, African, Dutch, and English culture, and how enslaved women’s rights changed over time.
Event
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Guided Tour of Conference House Park, the Biddle & Rutan Houses
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
, H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
, Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island, Almer G. Pavilion (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 



10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Take a walk back in history as you tour two historic houses! The The H.H. Biddle House was built in the 1840s and today features ongoing history and art exhibits. The Rutan-Beckett House was also built in the 1840s and features original 1950s furnishings from its most recent renovation, as well as ongoing history and art exhibits.
Free!
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Women's History Month: Who's Inspired You?
at Carmine Carro Community Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for our annual ceremony as we recognize women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.
Free!
Event
Walking Tour: Reinventing the Bond Street Neighborhood, 1865-1900
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a captivating journey to discover the pivotal changes that shaped the “Bond Street area,” once a residential neighborhood for wealthy merchant families like the Tredwells. On this 90-minute tour, we’ll witness the dramatic changes that unfolded as commercial interests began to encroach, compelling these families to move uptown and triggering a metamorphosis of the entire neighborhood.
Event
Monday, March 31, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Sunday, April 6, 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!
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Cherry Tree Heaven
at E. 36th St. & Ave. U (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
NYC's Director of Tree Planting leads an in-depth discussion of Marine Park's own grove of Yoshino cherry trees, initially planted in the 1980s
Free!
Kids
Monday, April 7, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Monday, April 14, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
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.
Free!
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum, Manhattan
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Event
Monday, April 21, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
at Merchant's House Museum
1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century.
Event
Monday, April 28, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Edwardian Mother's Day Tea
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
We welcome you to enjoy a spot of tea and light refreshments as well as the opportunity to learn some more about 20th Century teas and participate in some of the games enjoyed at tea.
Sunday, May 4, 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!
Monday, May 5, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Fragile Beauties
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about native butterfly and moth species and how they contribute to the diversity of Marine Park
Free!
Monday, May 12, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Monday, May 19, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Monday, May 26, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Monday, June 2, 2025
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This is a reading and creative writing book club that blends environmental science with storytelling. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to join the club!
Free!
Kids
Idlewild's Science Book Club
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This program fosters a love for science through engaging books, creative writing, discussions, and creative expression.
Free!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Modern Marine Park
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn 

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
How was a garbage dump transformed into Marine Park’s Forever Wild Nature Preserve? Learn more as retired NYC Parks Chief Naturalist Mike Feller illuminates Marine Park's modern history.
Free!
Sunday, June 8, 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!
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Healthy Eating Talks & Discussion
at Her-King Alagantic Community Garden, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Come to Her-King Alagantic Community Garden for talks and a discussion on healthy eating by speakers from the Mid-Bedford Heights Lions Club.
Free!
Sunday, August 3, 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!
Sunday, September 14, 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!
Sunday, October 5, 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!
Sunday, November 2, 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!
Sunday, December 7, 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!