• Family Fun Nature Walk

    Start your family's Spring Break off with a walk through VCP with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance! In this free guided hike, families will hit the trails while learning about amazing local wildlife, and how the park changes seasonally. Afterwards, (weather permitting,) join us for a nature craft and themed activities! Date: Wednesday, April 16th Time:...

  • Family Fun: Freshwater Friends

    Spring Break Family Fun: Freshwater Friends What sort of critters live underneath the waters in Van Cortlandt Park? Is the pond a healthy ecosystem? How can we tell? What in the world is an aquatic macroinvertebrate? Come explore the ecosystem of Hester & Piero’s Mill Pond with us to find out! In this hands-on exploration...

  • Forest Fridays

    Forest Fridays

    Help protect and restore the forests of Van Cortlandt Park — one of NYC’s most ecologically significant green spaces. Join our Forest Friday crew to remove invasive species like multiflora rose, porcelain berry, and bittersweet. Your hands-on work will create space for native plants to return and help this 640-acre urban ecosystem thrive for generations...

  • Birding with NYC Bird Alliance

    Birding with NYC Bird Alliance

    Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various species of resident and migratory birds and discuss a wide range of avian topics. Each walk will be led by a NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) guide. Advance registration is required. You...

  • City Nature Challenge 2025

    Join the global City Nature Challenge! Cities around the world collect data throughout the spring but at Van Cortlandt Park, you can identify macroinvertebrates and other wildlife from the pond. VCPA sets up “leaf packs” in advance to increase the diversity of creatures you will find!  There will also be guided “mini-hikes” around the area...

  • Woodlawn Wednesdays

    Woodlawn Wednesdays

    Woodlawn Wednesdays: Forest Restoration at Van Cortlandt Park Help restore the beautiful woodlands of Van Cortlandt Park’s east side! Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers like you play a vital role in preserving this important urban ecosystem. What You'll Do Each week, we'll focus on hands-on tasks that vary with the seasons. You might:...

  • Pinkster Festival

    RAIN OR SHINE! Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster at this year’s Pinkster Festival hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum, and Kingsbridge Historical Society. Join us on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive...

  • Forest Fridays

    Forest Fridays

    Help protect and restore the forests of Van Cortlandt Park — one of NYC’s most ecologically significant green spaces. Spring is here, and the forest is waking up. Join our Forest Friday crew to remove invasive species like multiflora rose, porcelain berry, and bittersweet. Your hands-on work will make room for native plants to thrive...

  • Tune-Up Tuesdays

    Tune-Up Tuesdays

    Turnip to volunteer! Volunteers will help care for our garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed - just show up in clothing you will be comfortable getting dirty in! Join us on the following Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm: July 8 July 22 August 12 August 26 Enter the...

  • Wetland Wednesdays

    Wetland Wednesdays

    Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Wetland Wednesdays — a year-round opportunity to participate in hands-on conservation in one of NYC’s most dynamic and vital ecosystems. Each week, we take on timely tasks in the floodplain, supporting the biodiversity and resilience of Van Cortlandt Park’s wetlands. As we approach summer, we’re especially focused on preparing...

  • Trail Work Thursdays

    Trail Work Thursdays

    Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact! Meeting Details: Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Garden and Education Compost Site, across from Riverdale Stables. Time: 9 am sharp; work begins at 9:15...

  • Springtime Shindig 2025

    Cocktails • Lite Bites • Dessert • Music • Picturesque Setting • Raffle HONOREES Betty Campbell-Adams Park Angel Award: Herb Barret, Korean War Veteran & Memorial Grove Advocate Cultivating the Bronx Award: James Hendon, Commissioner of NYC Department of Veterans’ Services Visit our Springtime Shindig Page to purchase tickets or become a sponsor.