Prospect Park

The Daily Plant : Thursday, December 30, 2004

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR IN CITY PARKS

Manhattan

Welcome in the New Year old style when you head to the Merchant’s House Museum on Saturday, January 1^st, for the "Come Calling" New Year’s Day 2005 Open House. See how they celebrated in the 19^th century, when the gentlemen of New York City sallied forth on New Year’s Day to make calls on friends, family, and acquaintances, while the ladies stayed home to receive the guests and preside over a sumptuous buffet. Toast with champagne punch and feast on holiday cakes, enjoy guided tours of the House, informal talks on the etiquette of calling, and walking tours of the neighborhood throughout the afternoon. Bring your 21^st-century calling card (personal or business) for our prize drawing. The celebration begins at 3:00 p.m. and costs $25, and $15 for Merchant's House Museum Members. Head to the House at 29 East Fourth Street, between Lafayette St/ & Bowery on Saturday to live out this old Manhattan holiday tradition.

Celebrate the New Year at the biggest party in Brooklyn when you head to Prospect Park on Friday, December 31^st for the New Year’s Eve Fireworks display. The fireworks will begin at 11:55 p.m. at the Grand Army Plaza. Admission is free and open to the public. The best place to view the display is in the plaza, but they can also be seen inside the Park on the West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.

Prospect Park’s New Year’s Fireworks are sponsored by Borough President Marty Markowitz and KeySpan.

Let the Urban Park Rangers show you how to identify trees by inspecting twigs, buds and bark during the Winter Tree I.D. this Sunday, Jan 2^nd. Even in the cold winter months, the Rangers can help you to discover the many ways to distinguish different plant life in Forest Park. Rangers will begin the identifying at Forest Park Nature/ Visitor Center in Forest Park at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Inspire your inner-artist when you join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of sketching winter scenes of the still and elegant Pelham Bat Park. Capture scenes of snow-capped trees, frozen ponds and chilled nature during Winter Colors at 1:00 p.m. at the Pelham Bay Ranger Station. This event if free and open to the public, but bring a sketchpad and charcoal or colored pencils to document the beauty.

What better way to start the New Year then with a peaceful walk through the scenic woods of High Rock Park with the Urban Park Rangers. On Sunday, Jan. 2^nd, the Rangers will take you on a free New Year’s Resolution Hike that will begin at 1:00 p.m. Wear comfortable shoes and head to the High Rock Ranger Station to enjoy this nature-filled New Year’s hike. Park in the lot at the end of Nevada Ave, off Rockland Ave, and follow the signs to the station.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility."