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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, August 2, 2025
Nature Sketching
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a mild hike to Goodhue Pond and back, stopping along the way to sketch what speaks to us most.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Wild-Plant Bouquet Making
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join our knowledgeable Rangers on an identification walk and learn how to create stunning natural bouquets that will remain vibrant both fresh and dried. Best for Ages 12 and older.
Free!
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage Workshop
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn how to identify plants traditionally used for cordage making.
Free!
Seashells of the North Atlantic
at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers will introduce you to the natural wonders that wash up on the shores of the city’s beaches and what that means about the ecosystem just beneath the waves.
Free!
Urban Wildlife: Reptiles and Amphibians
at Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the park, looking for and learning about the turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders that call New York City home.
Free!
Tuesday, August 5, 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 July 23
Free!
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Magnetic Archery
at Entrance - 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets (in Travers Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 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!
Insect Exploration: Insects of the Night
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
8:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Rangers will show you how to attract and identify the diverse menagerie of friendly nocturnal insects that fill the night skies of your local park
Free!
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Seining and Beach Cleanup
at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Learn all about the creatures that make their homes in the space between tides and help maintain the shore for a healthier ecosystem by participating in a trash cleanup.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: Resident Rodents
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Rangers will give a guided hike of the preserve and describe the resident rodents of New York City.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Basic Canoeing
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Our trained Urban Park Rangers will lead you on canoe adventures that range from the gentle waters of protected lakes to the challenging open waters of rivers and bays. Ages 8 and up
Free!
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Historical Games
at Entrance (in Margaret I. Carman Green - Weeping Beech), Queens
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Go back in time with the Urban Park Rangers and learn the games played by children of the past in early New York City by both the Lenape and immigrants from Europe, among others.
Free!
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
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 August 6, 2025.
Free!
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Nature Exploration and Clean Up
at Sunset Cove Park Entrance (in Sunset Cove Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a clean-up and nature exploration in the borough’s largest park.
Free!
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Family Camping: Queens
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
6:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday Aug 13.
Free!
Saturday, August 30, 2025
Sensory Perception Hike
at 130th Street and 11th Avenue (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Engage your sense of touch, smell, sight, and hearing as we explore the natural world.
Free!
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Historic New York: Privateers, Pirates, and New York’s Golden Age of Piracy
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we delve into the world of pirates in New York’s history. Uncover the true story of Captain William Kidd, a complex figure who navigated the murky waters.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage and Weaving
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), 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!
Tuesday, September 9, 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 August 27
Free!
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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 September 11, 2025.
Free!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Summer on the Hudson: Little Red Lighthouse Festival
at Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with the Urban Park Rangers!
Free!
Event
Fall Festival
at Fort Totten Park Lawn (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us for a free Fall Festival. Enjoy family fun games & activities, puppet show, and more!
Free!
Kids
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