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Event Series 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: April 8 April 22 May 13 May 27 June 10 June 24 July 8 July 22 August 12 August 26 Enter the park at Broadway & Mosholu Ave. Come once, twice, or for as many sessions as you'd like! 18 and older. RSVP Now. Groups of 5+ must register as a unit via email to...

Event Series 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: Remove Invasive Species: Tackle harmful plants like multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, bittersweet, and Japanese angelica tree that threaten our native biodiversity. Maintain Trails: Keep paths clear, safe, and welcoming for all park visitors. Plant Native Species: Contribute to long-term forest health by planting native trees,...

Event Series 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 am Upcoming Activities Include: Clearing debris and overgrowth Ensuring trail safety and accessibility Desire line closures What to Bring: Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing Closed-toed shoes Water and a snack Why Join Us? Contribute to the vitality and safety of the trails you love! Engage with fellow...

Event Series 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 to come. 🛠️ What We'll Do: Identify and remove invasive plants (e.g. multiflora rose, bittersweet, porcelain berry) Use hand tools to clear priority zones and prepare them for native species Learn about forest ecology, plant ID, and restoration techniques from experienced staff and stewards A...

Woodlawn Family Fun Day

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Women of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association Present Woodlawn Family Fun Day featuring: Music & Dancing with Edwin Ferreras Face Painting NYRR Mobile Van Urban Park Rangers Woodland Family Walks Nature Crafts Bocce Games And more! With a Special Ceremony to induct Van Cortlandt Park's woodlands into the prestigious Old-Growth Forest Network! RSVP Suggested. Special thank you to our partners: NYC Parks Women of Woodlawn Woodlawn Taxpayers Association Council Member Eric Dinowitz New York Road Runners Old-Growth Forest Network This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs...

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: 11am - 12:30 pm (The hike will start at approximately 11:10 am) Meeting Point: In front of the Van Cortlandt Golf House, right before hitting the Lake House Cafe. We'll be outside the whole time; dress appropriately for the weather All children must be accompanied...

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 station, your family can observe and identify some of the insects found in the pond, without even getting your feet wet! Date: Thursday, April 17th Time: 11am - 1pm Meeting Point: North of Van Cortlandt Golf Lake House RSVP Now. This workshop is intended for...

261st Street Garden Volunteer Event

Alongside our partners at the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance we will be maintaining the garden and open field within the park. We will provide gloves and tools. Meet at the garden at W. 261st and Broadway. RSVP Now.

Event Series Super Seedlings

Super Seedlings

Play and plant with your little one! Super Seedlings is a FREE, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers. Explore a fun and fabulous theme at each session with nature crafts, planting, soil digging, and more! Come once, twice, or all five weeks for some playing and planting! Dates: 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 Time: 10 AM - 12 PM Location: The VCPA Compost Site and Education Garden is located at: Mosholu Avenue and Broadway (next to the Horse Stables). Drop-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended. Please e-mail us with any questions at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Event Series Growing Gardeners

Growing Gardeners

Your elementary schooler is in for a treat! They’ll join us at the garden to learn about horticulture, make scientific explorations, craft, and journal – all while experiencing the joy of growing veggies! In this weekly drop-off program, each exciting session varies from week to week and is loads of fun! Dates: 6 Saturday Sessions...

Event Series 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 must register separately for each date you would like to attend. Birding sessions meet at 9am on the following dates: Saturday, March 29 Sunday, April 27 Saturday, May 24 Note: We do not provide binoculars and suggest that attendees bring their own. RSVP Required. As...

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 to collect more observations. This is a unique and special opportunity! RSVP Now. What to Expect: Macroinvertebrate Discovery: We’ll have leaf packs set up in advance to attract aquatic critters—dip in and see what’s living in the pond! Guided Mini-Hikes: Join short walks to explore...