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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
Friday, February 20, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Kids Week: Hibernation Staycation
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Animals are going to sleep for the winter--- gather around the fire and hear their stories. Where do they go? How do they stay warm? Bring your curiosity and find out
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Nature Sketching
at Outdoors at Faber Park Recreation Center (in Faber Park Recreation Center), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Find your artistic inspiration with the Rangers as we delve into the sights and sounds of nature!Join us for a stroll around the park, stopping along the way to sketch what speaks to us
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Shelter Building
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will teach you different methods of shelter building using natural materials.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Urban Wildlife
at Lawn Area (in Gorman Playground), Queens
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 about the diverse wildlife found in New York City’s parks.
Free!
Kids
Kids Week: Winter Nature Crafts
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let the winter season inspire you as we create crafts from things found in nature.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Black History Month: Nature Poetry
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Enjoy the nature poetry of some of the greatest African-American poets, such as Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes.
Free!
Historic New York: Staten Island and the American Revolution
at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Staten Island has some significant ties to the American Revolution. Visit historic sites and learn more about battles and events which impacted the American Revolution.
Free!
Black History Month: Historic Harlem Parks Super Hike
at Manhattan Avenue and West 110th Street (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike from Morningside Park through St. Nicholas Park and ending at the Northern tip of Jackie Robinson Park.
Free!
Indigenous Cooking
at Outdoors at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Learn about the historical evolution and present realities of the food cultures that have shaped the region through a lens of food justice and accessibility.
Free!
Wildlife Viewing: Winter Wildlife
at Kissena Velodrome Parking Lot (in Kissena Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 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!
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Advanced Winter Tree ID
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Trees have a special place in our environment. Join us for a hike of Forest Park and take a deeper dive into learning the intricacies of winter tree identification.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Winter is a great time to learn more about our migratory duck species! Join the Rangers on a walk around Orchard Beach Boardwalk to explore the unusual world of winter waterfowl!
Free!
Black History Month: 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 discussing Brooklyn's significant history to the abolitionist movement in the United States.
Free!
Indoor Gardening 101
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Calling all green (or not so green) thumbs! We’ll go over the basics of plant care and propagation, and how to start and maintain an indoor garden.
Free!
Winter Insect Scavenger Hunt
at Entrance - Springfield Lane and 149th Avenue (in Idlewild Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Take advantage of the unique opportunity that winter provides to learn about bugs while they’re inactive.
Free!
Kids
Birding: Owls
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Discover how owls have adapted to thriving in the nocturnal environment. This program is sure to be a hoot!
Free!
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Ranger Tot Time
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of kid friendly activities and exploring the Inwood Hill Nature Center.
Free!
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Friday, February 27, 2026
Exhibition: Think Global. Act Local
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Multi artist exhibit of works highlighting endangered local and global species
Free!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Living With Urban Coyotes
at Clason Point Park, Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Learn about the basic biology of these super smart and energetic animals.
Free!
Metaverse Scavenger Hunt
at Playground (in Bloomingdale Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a nature scavenger hunt inspired by the popular mobile game application "Pokemon Go". See how many of these can be found where the metaverse meets nature
Free!
Kids
Winter Wetlands Exploration
at 130th Street and 11th Avenue (in Powell's Cove Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about the importance of wetlands and the vital role they play in an ecosystem.
Free!
Historic New York: Weeksville
at South Pacific Playground, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Learn about the African American heritage of the Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Juniper North Playground (in Juniper Valley 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!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Become a “Nature Scene Investigator” and learn the animal-spotting tricks from the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Historic New York: Fort Totten
at Fort Totten Park Visitors Center (in Fort Totten Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Learn about the important role the historic Fort Totten Water Battery played in New York City’s defense history, from the Civil War to today.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Land Navigation Skills
at Eton Place Parking Lot (in Willowbrook Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as they use sticks to find north in the woods. Learn to navigate without a compass and learn to save yourself in a survival situation by finding your way
Free!
Winter Reflection Campfire
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Commemorate the closing of winter with a cozy seasonal writing workshop with the Urban Park Rangers. Gather around the fire as we read nature-inspired pieces and work on our own writing
Free!
Women's History Month: Cass Gallagher
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate Women's History Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Learn how to see through the eyes of a naturalist on the Cass Gallagher Trail at Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
March Comes In Like a Lion Weather Walk
at Entrance - West 77th 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 Ramble up to Belvedere Castle to learn about the weather station in the park and about weather and forecasting!
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage Crafting
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in using natural materials for crafts. Learn how to turn plant fibers into strong, flexible cordage. Add beads for a fun, unique necklace or bracelet!
Free!
Trivia Under The Trees
at Oak Ridge (in Forest Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The Urban Park Rangers will test you on all things history, science, nature, and geography. The team with the most points at the end will win a prize.
Free!
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Signs of Spring Hike
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk in the Arverne East Nature Preserve while looking for signs of blossoming flowers and birds.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Knot Tying
at Entrance - 215th Place and 33rd Road (in Crocheron Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
There’s a knot for every need! Learn methods to tie very useful knots.
Free!
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Women's History Month: Know Your Female Birds
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join Urban Park Rangers as they honor notable women in ornithology and take a deeper look into the ecological roles of the long overlooked and understudied female bird population
Free!
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
This Urban Park Ranger led hike will take you through the forest to learn how to identify fungi.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire
at Entrance - Vernon Boulevard and 41st Avenue (in Queensbridge Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join NYC’s Urban Park Ranger and hear tales of NYC’s urban wildlife while enjoying the warmth of a campfire.
Free!
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the vernal pools of Alley Pond Park. Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are home to many distinct plants and animals.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the vernal pools of Alley Pond Park. Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are home to many distinct plants and animals.
Free!
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Sensory Perception Hike
at Francis Lewis Park Lawn Area (in Francis Lewis Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Engage your sense of touch, smell, sight, and hearing as we explore the natural world.
Free!
Saturday, October 3, 2026
46th Annual GreenThumb Harvest Fair
at New York City, Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join us & GreenThumb community gardeners in celebrating the start of fall with workshops, live entertainment, healthy cooking demonstrations, and more. Save the date and stay tuned for more information!
Free!
Kids
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