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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
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Rise and Shine Walk
at Cedar Grove Beach (in Great Kills Park), Staten Island
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an early summer morning nature exploration of Cedar Grove Beach.
Free!
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!
Event
Birding: Early Spring Migrants
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk along the Salt Marsh Nature Trail to discover and learn about different migratory birds that are in the NYC area during early Spring.
Free!
Event
Birding: Spring Migration
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Salt Marsh Nature Trail to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Event
Spring Blooms Photography
at Fort Totten Front Gate (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Capture the beauty of Spring with this beginner-friendly photography walk. Please bring a working smartphone and/or a camera with you.
Free!
Insect Exploration Hunt
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park’s looking for insects such as ants, wasps, beetles, butterflies, mantids and many more.
Free!
Event
Nature Exploration: Captain Tilly Park
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of birds, plants and other living species within Captain Tilly Park.
Free!
Event
Birding: American Woodcocks
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an evening nature walk at Pelham Bay Park to learn all about the wacky world of woodcocks
Free!
Event
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Page Avenue Beach Parking Lot, Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
What can you use to build a fire? Explore this site as we search for different materials to use as kindling and learn advanced techniques to build an outdoor fire.
Free!
Birding: Spring Migration
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Highland Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Event
Discovery Hike: Disturbed Habitat and Invasive Plant Ecologies
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Urban Park Rangers for useful tips on non-native plant ID and very rewarding non-native plant removal activities. Tools will be provided.
Free!
Event
Nature's Workshop: Recycled Plantable Paper Making
at Greene Ave & Tompkins Ave (in Herbert Von King Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Welcome springtime with the Urban Park Rangers by making recycled paper, embedded with native seeds.
Free!
Event
Preparing the Pollinator Garden
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Help us clean up our garden beds as we create space for bees, birds and other species. Learn more about the ways pollinator species help plants flourish in our parks.
Free!
Early Spring Tree ID Hike
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Crotona Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing
at Liberty Avenue and 172nd St. Queens (in Detective Keith L Williams Park), Queens
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. All equipment provided.
Free!
Nature Meditation Hike
at Suydam Street & Irving Avenue (in Maria Hernandez Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in a guided nature meditation while learning how the four classical elements of air, water, earth, and fire exist in harmony inside all of us.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Camping 101
at Archery Field Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers as we show off the basics of a camping experience, without the overnight commitment! Rangers will demonstrate how to set-up a tent and start a fire.
Free!
World Aquatic Animal Day
at Beach 94th St. Amphitheater (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to celebrate the existence of aquatic animals and their importance. Learn about the current threats to marine animals and what we can do to protect them.
Free!
Historic New York: The Little Red Lighthouse
at Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Rediscover the history of this unique landmark. Open access between 1:00pm and 2:45pm. Participants may need to queue for access due capacity limits inside of the structure.
Free!
Event
Seeding Change: Conserving the Ash Tree
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Van Cortlandt Park is home to one of the only known populations of Pumpkin Ash trees in NY State, a critically endangered tree species. Help by seeding the next generation of Ash trees.
Free!
Event
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Monuments of Prospect Park Tour
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Come Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walking tour of Prospect Park’s monuments.
Free!
Discovery Hike: Disturbed Habitat and Invasive Plant Ecologies
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Urban Park Rangers for useful tips on non-native plant ID and very rewarding non-native plant removal activities. Tools will be provided.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Navigation Essentials Workshop Part 1
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This two part series covers some of the basics of navigation. Make your own pace counter from paracord while learning how to use a compass. Registration opens Wednesday March 26
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Shelter Building
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Shelter is one of the most important components of outdoor survival. Learn the essentials on how to build an outdoor shelter using foliage, branches and other natural materials.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Knot Tying
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
There’s a knot for every need! Learn methods to tie very useful knots.
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!
Event
Birding: Beginner Birding
at Brookville Boulevard and Caney Road (in Brookville Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Brookville Park to learn the basics of birding how to identify common species in our parks.
Free!
Tuesday, April 8, 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 March 27
Free!
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Tenkara Fishing
at White Levy Esplanade (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Learn the art of Tenkara fly 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!
Nature's Workshop: Botanical Watercolor Painting
at Playground (in Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
oin the Urban Park Rangers in celebrating the arrival of Spring flowers. Draw these early bloomers with watercolor paint and learn how to create beautiful botanical illustrations.
Free!
Birding: Spring Migration
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Crotona Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Great Trees of St. Nicholas Park
at 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue (in St. Nicholas Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk of St. Nicholas Park in search of different species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Historic Tea Party
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers and travel back in time in the historic Biddle House. Learn the historical significance that tea has played throughout history and culture. Registration begins Apr 2
Free!
Signs of Spring Hike
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in appreciating the early flowers of spring! Hike through a restored natural area to observe emerging buds, arriving birds, and blooming flowers.
Free!
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Historic New York: Hunter Island
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a walk on Hunter Island and learn about its unique history.
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!
Outdoor Skills: Navigation Essentials Workshop Part 2
at Entrance - Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street (in Long Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This two part series covers some of the basics of navigation. This workshop focuses on the importance of understanding and using maps in navigation.
Free!
Spring Cherry Blossoms Walk
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 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!
Historic New York: Environmental Impacts of the Civil War
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the often-overlooked environmental history of the Civil War. Discover how weather, disease, and the natural landscape shaped key battles
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
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 walk through Inwood Hill Park and find out what plants and animals call his Forever Wild site home.
Free!
Astronomy: The Night Sky
at Lemon Creek Pier (in Lemon Creek Park), Staten Island
7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as you gaze at the night sky through a telescope and learn about our universe and beyond.
Free!
Monday, April 14, 2025
Kids Week: Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine 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 flora and fauna on a wild scavenger hunt! Follow the trail of urban wildlife and unique pl
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: All About Fungus
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Walk with the Urban Park Rangers through the woods to look for spring fungus waking up from their winter slumber. After the hike, make your own mushroom out of recycled material to keep
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Earth Month Native Planting Party
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Month with the Urban Park Rangers in a service-oriented event focused on native wildflower planting and its benefits to park ecosystems.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Geology Rocks!
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon 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. Learn all about the geological landscape of Manhattan.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Puppet Show
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
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!
Kids
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Junior Arborist Day
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about our Urban Forest and why we need trees and why they matter
Free!
Kids Week: Freshwater Fishing
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:30 a.m.–11:30 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: All About Turtles
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they dive into the fascinating world of turtles! You’ll even get to meet our very own terrestrial and aquatic turtles that we care for in our center.
Free!
Kids
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