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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
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Birding: Hawk Watch
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens 
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Experience the majesty of NYC’s top aerial predator. Join us to learn about Red-Tailed Hawks and other raptors of NYC and hopefully catch a glimpse of a nesting pair.
Free!
Historic New York: Sylvan Grove Cemetery History and Cleanup
at Victory Boulevard and Alberta Avenue (in Sylvan Grove Cemetery), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join Urban Park Rangers and Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries Staten Island to preserve history by participating in a cleanup of this protected historical cemetery.
Free!
Plants and Pollinators Walk
at Westchester Avenue and Edgewater Road (in Concrete Plant Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exploration of our many types of flowers and our native pollinator species, as well as pollinators you might not expect!
Free!
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Evergreen Cemetery
at Evergreen Cemetery Entrance (in Highland Park)
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Walk among the beautiful landscaped architecture and explore the connections between the cemetery and New York City's Asian-American population.
Free!
Tuesday, May 20, 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 May 7, 2025.
Free!
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Historic New York: Ridgewood Reservoir
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.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!
Outdoor Skills: Survival 101
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn the basic skills of outdoor survival including fire making, shelter building and water collection among other skills.
Free!
Spring Blooming Hike
at Parking Lot - Winchester Boulevard and Union Turnpike (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Spring has sprung. Experience the beauty of spring with the Urban Park Rangers as you explore the vibrant plants and flowers that emerge during this season.
Free!
“The Park is my Remedy” Walk
at Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Explore the gardens along the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park and learn to identify plants that are valuable to your health and wellness.
Free!
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Year of the Snake
at Prospect Avenue and Brentwood Avenue (in Allison Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with NYC Parks! Rangers will discuss the Chinese Zodiac and the significance of the Year of the Snake.
Free!
Ranger Gardening Club: Gardening 101
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn about the different species and uses for various plants in our park. Be inspired to start your own garden at home.
Free!
Family Camping: Brooklyn
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
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 May 14.
Free!
Family Camping: Queens
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten 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 May 14.
Free!
Monday, May 26, 2025
Community Science: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening on the shore engaging in a community science project as we collect scientific data on horseshoe crabs.
Free!
Friday, May 30, 2025
Family Camping: Bronx
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
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 May 14.
Free!
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Catch Them All Nature and History Scavenger Hunt
at Hoyt Avenue North and 19th Street (in Astoria Park)
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found when the metaverse meets nature.
Free!
Kids
Nature Exploration: The Northwest Woods
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a nature walk into the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt Park to learn about the ecology and wildlife that inhabits this magical woodlands habitat.
Free!
Black Birders Week: Birding by Canoe Excursion (Advanced)
at Canoe and Kayak Launch (in Hook Creek Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Celebrate Black Birders Week with a canoe excursion into the salt marsh ecosystem of Hook Creek Park. Participants are selected by lottery. Lottery registration begins Wednesday May 21.
Free!
Nature Open Mic
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Nature provides inspiration. Come show off your talents and how nature inspires you. Registration required
Free!
Head in the Clouds Meditation and Exploration
at Parking Lot (in Manhattan Beach Park), Brooklyn
11:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
Follow the Park Rangers on a waterfront cloud hunting adventure. Bring your imagination and meditate on the beautiful world floating just over our heads.
Free!
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Birding: Fascinating Feathers
at Hanover Avenue and Palma Drive (in Eibs Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Rangers will lead a hike that will highlight the unique adaptations that birds have developed for flight, insulation, camouflage, and display.
Free!
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Historic Queens Pride
at Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with NYC Parks. Walk through the Pat Dolan Trail along the bottom edge of Willow Lake to learn more about LGBTQ+ history/
Free!
Plants and Pollinators Walk
at Lincoln Road Entrance (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Pollinators such as insects, birds and bats play a very important role in creating a balanced ecosystem. Learn more about the ways these species help plants flourish in our parks.
Free!
Seining and Shore Exploration
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Explore the shore of Orchard Beach and get ready to get your hands wet; seining program participants don waders and use large nets to catch fish and other marine life.
Free!
Birding: Shorebird Families
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Learn more about plovers, terns, oystercatchers and other shorebirds that nest on the beach shoreline.
Free!
Tuesday, June 3, 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 May 21
Free!
Friday, June 6, 2025
Family Camping: Queens
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten 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 May 28.
Free!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
National Trails Day Hike
at Chapin Avenue and Salzburg Court (in Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the sights and sounds of this tranquil woodland.
Free!
National Trails Day Hike
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Urban Park Rangers. Take a walk along the shores of Jamaica Bay on the scenic Salt Marsh Trail at Marine Park.
Free!
National Trails Day: John Muir Trail
at Entrance - 242nd Street and Van Cortlandt Park East (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a guided 4-mile out-and-back hike along the only trail in Van Cortlandt Park to traverse the park from east to west.
Free!
National Trails Day Hike
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Urban Park Rangers. Join us as we hike and explore one of Alley Pond’s lesser-known trails tucked away in Queens and why this day is celebrated.
Free!
Tuesday, June 17, 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 May 21, 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!
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