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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, November 30, 2024
Nature's Workshop: Autumn Landscape Watercolor Painting
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Get inspired by the changing seasons and let the colors of fall flow in your artwork. The Urban Park Rangers will provide the supplies, all you need to bring is your creativity.
Free!
Shell Crafts
at Beach 94th St. Amphitheater (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Get creative with the Urban Park Rangers as we make unique ocean-inspired art. Make anything from jewelry to sculptures using shells and other materials provided by the Rangers.
Free!
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Historic New York: Boss Tweed
at Entrance - 215th Place and 33rd Road (in Crocheron Park), Queens 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about the notorious Tammany Hall leader.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
Highbridge Highlights Hike
at McNally Plaza (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a super hike of Highbridge Park to discuss ecology and history while taking in the views of the East River.
Free!
Historic New York: Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through Brooklyn’s history as a hotbed of the Abolitionist movement.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage and Weaving
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn the ancient art of weaving, an activity historically done during the winter months using materials that were harvested and processed during warmer seasons.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Orchard Beach in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Birding: Beginner Birding
at Entrance - Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue (in Hunter's Point South Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Canarsie Park to learn the basics of birding how to identify common species in our parks.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 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.
Free!
Historic New York: New York Harbor
at Broadway and Beaver Street (in Bowling Green), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an exploration of New York City history through the lens of the natural harbor and its development.
Free!
Astronomy: The Winter Sky
at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Winter is a prime season for stargazing. The cold air clears the night sky of clouds and creates ideal conditions for seeing the stars, planets, and other celestial highlights.
Free!
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park)
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - East 90th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park)
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Idlewild Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Birding: Christmas Bird Count
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for this annual community science project counting and identifying birds while we hike in the park.
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Learn more about the various species of owls found in our parks.
Free!
Astronomy: The Winter Sky
at Entrance - West 106th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park)
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Winter is a prime season for stargazing. The cold air clears the night sky of clouds and creates ideal conditions for seeing the stars, planets, and other celestial highlights.
Free!
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Christmas Bird Count
at South Gate House of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Rerservoir (in Central Park), Manhattan
8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the nation's longest-running citizen-science bird project. Join the Rangers and Audubon society to record and tally bird species in Central Park.
Free!
Von Briessen Park and Fort Wadsworth Winter Tree ID
at School Road and Bay Street (in Von Briesen Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and the National Park Service Rangers for this tree exploration hike at Von Briessen Park and Fort Wadsworth. Registration opens Wednesday December 4
Free!
Ice Age Hike
at Union Turnpike and 196th Street, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn more about which prehistoric species may have been found in this area during different time periods.
Free!
Kids
Nature's Workshop: Nature Ornament Making
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
This winter, join the Urban Park Rangers for the Nature's Workshop series. Create your own nature inspired holiday ornament to take home for the holidays.
Free!
Kids
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firebuilding and Safety
at Playground (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.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!
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Hart Island Tour (South 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 December 4
Free!
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Nature's Workshop: Nature Ornament Making
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
This winter, join the Urban Park Rangers for the Nature's Workshop series. Create your own nature inspired holiday ornament to take home for the holidays.
Free!
Kids
Winter Solstice Ornaments
at Lawn, Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Winter is here! Join the Rangers in celebration of the shortest day of the year and the slow approach of spring. Create celestial ornaments to commemorate the solstice.
Free!
Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Leave the tinsel at home and lace up your boots and stockings for this fun tour of the trees that never quit photosynthesizing, even when the days are at their shortest!
Free!
Winter Wonderland Hike
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 on a brisk nature walk in Winter where we will look for and learn about the local flora and fauna that call Inwood Hill Park home.
Free!
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Festival of Lights - Winter Solstice
at Seba Playground (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Celebrate when our hemisphere tilts furthest away from the sun, making the shortest day of the year. Dress warm in layers and bring binoculars and a telescope if you have them.
Free!
Kids
Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Learn the essentials of starting and maintaining a campfire and afterwards enjoy s’mores around the fire to celebrate the end of the celestial year
Free!
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Outdoor Skills: Winter Wilderness Survival
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn all about how to prepare and survive outdoors during the colder winter temperatures.
Free!
Birding: Winter Birds
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free!
Winter Tree ID: The Pinetum
at Entrance - 85th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through the Arthur Ross Pinetum and learn about some evergreen trees!
Free!
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Historic New York: Ridgewood Reservoir
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC's Urban Park Rangers and for a walk at the Ridgewood Reservoir highlighting the history, ecology and engineering of this cultural treasure.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire
at Manhattan Avenue and West 110th Street (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Gather by the campfire to enjoy an afternoon of story telling and fireside activities.
Free!
Kids
Urban Wildlife Hike
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks and the best ways for people and animals to coexist, including the many benefits of having so many animals in our city!
Free!
Kids
Wildlife Viewing: Flying Squirrels and Other Nocturnal Creatures
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we shine the (figurative) light on these mysterious mammals and other creatures and learn how they navigate nature nocturnally.
Free!
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Winter Wonderland Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
12:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a brisk nature walk in Winter where we will look for and learn about the local flora and fauna that call Forest Park home.
Free!
Historic New York: Mount Morris Fire Watchtower
at Mount Morris Fire Watchtower (in Marcus Garvey Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers discuss the significance and history of this recently restored structure.
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Learn more about the various species of owls found in our parks.
Free!
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