• Forest Fridays

    Forest Fridays

    Please note: Forest Friday on December 19th, 2025 has been canceled due to high winds. Remove invasive species from the Northwest Forest. Promote biodiversity, protect young trees, and maintain trails. When: Fridays November 14 and 21 meeting at 9am and Fridays December 5, 12 and 19 meeting at 10am Where: Van Cortlandt Park - VCPA...

  • Welcoming Winter: A Family Nature Walk

    In this free guided hike, families can hit the trails while learning about amazing local plants and animals, and how the park changes in the colder weather. Afterwards, join us for a nature craft and themed activities! Date: Sunday, December 21 Time: 10:30 am - 11:45 am (The hike will start at approximately 10:40 am)...

  • New Year’s Day Sunrise Hike & Meditation

    Welcome the first light of 2026. Join us for a peaceful sunrise hike and Japanese New Year tradition in Van Cortlandt Park. Start 2026 with intention, tranquility, and community. Join us for the 3rd Annual Hatsuhinode—the Japanese tradition of welcoming the first sunrise of the year—on a peaceful hike through the winter landscape of Van Cortlandt...

  • Mulchfest

    Mulchfest

    Two Dates: Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 from 10am to 2pm Recycle your holiday tree by bringing it to Van Cortlandt Park, where the VCP Forest Restoration Crew will chip it into mulch! Trees can be dropped off prior to Mulchfest. For more information about drop-off locations throughout the city, visit NYC Parks’ Mulchfest...

  • VCP Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. Kick off the New...

  • VC Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. Kick off the New...

  • VC Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. Sunday, February 8 meets at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. for a walk in Tibbett Meadow, along the Mill Pond, and...

  • Black History Month: Enslaved African Legacy Tour

    Join VCPA's Arts Integration Strategist, Ashley Hart Adams, on a guided walk that will enlighten participants on the true history that shaped Van Cortlandt Park. For approximately 200 years, the Van Cortlandt family plantation relied upon the labor of enslaved people, as did many plantations and farms in the north. Enslaved Africans, their descendants, and...

  • VC Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. Monday, February 16 meets at the Stables parking area at 2 p.m. for a Northwest Woods/Vault Hill walk. RSVP Now.

  • Mid-Winter Family Fun Hike

    Curious about the plants and animals that call Van Cortlandt Park home and how they live in the Winter? Take a hike with us and find out! Brighten up your Mid-Winter Recess 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...

  • Forest Fridays

    Forest Fridays

    Winter is the most critical time to save the forest floor! Join us to remove invasive Bush Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, and other invasive shrubs while the native plants are dormant. By clearing these shrubs now, we immediately flood the forest floor with winter sunlight and remove the chemical barriers that stop our native trees from...

  • Black History Month: Legacy of Enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park

    Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Van Cortlandt House Museum for a special Black History Month program exploring the legacy of enslaved Africans in Van Cortlandt Park. The program will feature two guided tours: Pathways to the Past Walking Tour, led by Ashley Hart Adams, VCPA's Arts Integration Specialist, focusing on the Enslaved African Burial...