Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

Barefoot Dancing with Estelle Walkin
2025-06-07 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Kick off your shoes and learn to dance Samba on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum with Estelle Walkin featuring Escalante Amaru (Music Medicine) who will be playing Brazilian music.
Estelle Walkin is a teaching artist with the Bronx Arts Ensemble.
This cultural enrichment event is fun for the whole family- parents and kids of all ages welcome.
Enter the park at Broadway and W. 246th Street.
RSVP Suggested.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.
Special thank you to the Van Cortlandt House Museum.

CANCELLED- Spring Garden Volunteer Day
2025-06-14 10:00 - 13:00
Due to the rainy forecast, this event has been cancelled!
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Juneteenth Celebration
2025-06-19 17:00 - 19:30
RAIN OR SHINE!
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble invite you to an evening celebration of Juneteenth on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
Come early to eat dinner before the show. From 5 pm, delicious food will be available for sale from Voila Afrique. (First come-first served.)
The ceremony will begin at 6pm on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum with performances, including music and spoken word. Then join us for a procession with drums to the Enslaved African Burial Ground with a libation ceremony, honoring the memory of the enslaved people.
2025 Juneteenth Program
RSVP Suggested.
Please note:
Seating is limited. Bring your own chair!
If weather is inclement, procession to burial ground will not occur and all performances will be under the tent on the lawn of the museum.
Special thank you to our venue partners at the Van Cortlandt House Museum and the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.
This event is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Woodlawn Family Fun Day
2025-06-28 13:00 - 16:00
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Women of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association Present Woodlawn Family Fun Day featuring:

Music & Dance: Domincan Arts Collective
BioBus: Science Education on Wheels
Face Painting
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 Now.
Special thank you to our partners:

NYC Parks
Women of Woodlawn
Woodlawn Taxpayers Association
Council Member Eric Dinowitz
BioBus
Old-Growth Forest Network

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

VC Nature Group Walk
2025-07-06 09:30 - 11:00
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about our local flora and fauna from naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature that she enjoys sharing with everyone.
Walk will meet in front of Van Cortlandt Nature Center.
Space is limited.
Advance Registration is Required.
What to expect in July:
In July, many birds lower their activity level and will be seeking shade as the nesting season wanes for many species. But other birds like the American Goldfinch get a late start, beginning its nesting in July and August. By that time of year, milkweed and thistle have started producing their silky fibers that this bird will use to help build their cup-shaped nests which can be found in trees and shrubs. Another reason birds nest late in July is because they produce two or more broods per breeding season. Mourning Doves for example can produce as many as six broods a year. They’ll start nesting as early as late March, and have their last brood as late as early September. The American Robin as well as the Northern Cardinal are also some of these multi brood bird species.
Like humans, birds need to release the heat built up in their bodies from the sun by submerging in water, usually by bathing or swimming. Also, their bill may be opened, and the bare skin on the face, feet, and legs allows more heat to release from their bodies, helping them to cool down .
July is the time to savor the scent of Clethra (sweet pepper bush), and delight in the beauty of tall meadow rue, black cohosh, Joe-Pye weed, and woodland sunflowers. Butterflies like the monarch, tiger and black swallowtails, red admirals are aloft on the summer breeze.
Watch for The Full Buck Moon that will rise on Sunday, July 21. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, “The full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.”

Art in the Garden: A Food Collage Workshop
2025-07-08 14:00 - 15:30
What does food mean to you?
How does food relate to your identity?
Does it connect you to family, friends, or heritage?
In this all-ages free workshop, each participant will spend time reflecting on what food means to them before creating a small art piece.
We will also have seed packets and seedlings for participants to take home – while supplies last!
Come join us for a crafty afternoon!
RSVP required to participate in collage activity.
All materials will be provided.
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 8th
🕐 Time: 2 – 3:30 pm
📍 Location: VCPA ‘s Educational Garden and Compost Site is located at: Mosholu Avenue and Broadway (next to the Horse Stables).
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Youth Run Farm Stand
2025-07-09 14:00 - 19:00
We are very excited to bring our Youth Run Farmstand featuring fresh local produce at affordable prices back!
Wednesdays 2-7pm
from July 9 to October 29
Train Park (Gale Place and Orloff Avenue)
We accept WIC, FMNP Checks, EBT, Snap, Fresh Connect Checks, Cash and Credit/Debit.

Forest Fridays
2025-07-11 09:00 - 12:00
Due to the extreme heat, Forest Friday for July 25 has been canceled.
Help restore Van Cortlandt Park’s vital northwest forest by removing invasive plants like multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry. Your efforts will create space for native plants to thrive and support long-term forest health.
📅 When:
Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Please arrive on time — the group will depart for the work site promptly at 9:15 AM
📍 Where:
Van Cortlandt Park – Garden & Compost Site
(We’ll hike together to the day’s restoration site from there)
RSVP Now.
Volunteer Policy for Minors

Ages 15 – 17A parent or guardian must sign and submit a volunteer waiver. Once the waiver is on file, the minor may participate without an accompanying adult.
Ages 12 – 14A parent or guardian must accompany the minor and remain on-site for the entire project.
Under 12Children may volunteer only at events specifically labeled family-friendly and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Family Fridays in the Garden
2025-07-11 10:00 - 12:00
Due to the extreme heat, Family Fridays for July 25 has been canceled.
Are you ready for some family gardening fun?
Come dig for compost critters, water the plants, explore nature, harvest some veggies, and more at Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Education Garden!
This is a FREE drop-in program.
For children ages 2 to 11 years old accompanied by an adult(s).
📅 Dates:

August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22

🕐 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 preferred.
Please e-mail us with any questions at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Bronx Arts Ensemble's SummerMusic
2025-07-12 15:00 - 16:00
JULY 12 at 3pm
Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
Pop and R&B Favorites from the 50s-80s with the Odane Whilby Band
A delightful lineup of oldies, pop, and R&B hits that appeal to all ages with the Odane Whilby Band.

VC Nature Group Walk
2025-07-15 14:00 - 15:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about our local flora and fauna from naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature that she enjoys sharing with everyone.
Walk will meet in the parking lot of the Riverdale Stables.
Space is limited.
Advance Registration is Required.
What to expect in July:
In July, many birds lower their activity level and will be seeking shade as the nesting season wanes for many species. But other birds like the American Goldfinch get a late start, beginning its nesting in July and August. By that time of year, milkweed and thistle have started producing their silky fibers that this bird will use to help build their cup-shaped nests which can be found in trees and shrubs. Another reason birds nest late in July is because they produce two or more broods per breeding season. Mourning Doves for example can produce as many as six broods a year. They’ll start nesting as early as late March, and have their last brood as late as early September. The American Robin as well as the Northern Cardinal are also some of these multi brood bird species.
Like humans, birds need to release the heat built up in their bodies from the sun by submerging in water, usually by bathing or swimming. Also, their bill may be opened, and the bare skin on the face, feet, and legs allows more heat to release from their bodies, helping them to cool down .
July is the time to savor the scent of Clethra (sweet pepper bush), and delight in the beauty of tall meadow rue, black cohosh, Joe-Pye weed, and woodland sunflowers. Butterflies like the monarch, tiger and black swallowtails, red admirals are aloft on the summer breeze.
Watch for The Full Buck Moon that will rise on Sunday, July 21. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, “The full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year, producing a larger and more impressive set as the years go by.”

Family Nature Journaling Hike
2025-07-17 11:00 - 12:30
In this free hands-on workshop, you and your young naturalists will practice being scientists, explorers, artists, and storytellers with nature journaling!
Kids will get their very own journals to decorate before we head off on our nature hike.
Through guided activities, we’ll practice slowing down and using our senses to record, collect, draw, and immerse ourselves in nature!
Space is limited, and registrations are required.
Meet at VCP Golf Lake House, next to the public bathroom area.
Recommended for children ages 6-11.
All materials will be provided, but personal materials can be used as well!
This workshop is entirely outdoors, so please dress according to the weather.
Please e-mail us with any questions at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Bronx Arts Ensemble's SummerMusic
2025-07-19 15:00 - 16:00
JULY 19 at 3pm
Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
BAE Strings & Woodwinds
Join the Bronx Arts Ensemble for an exciting mix of chamber works performed by our string and wind players.

Bronx Arts Ensemble's SummerMusic
2025-07-26 15:00 - 16:00
JULY 26 at 3pm
Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
Jazz Improvisation with Composers Now
Bronx Arts Ensemble and Composers Now present an afternoon of contemporary jazz and conversation, highlighting the artistry of improvisation in jazz composition with Elio Villafranca, Mary Ann McSweeney, and Alfredo Colón.

POSTPONED! REIMAGINING: Honoring the Land
2025-07-30 17:30 - 19:30
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. NEW DATE COMING SOON.
Join us for a reflective journey honoring the African Burial Ground and Indigenous history with artist Dennis RedMoon Darkeem.
This community walk begins with a ceremonial call-and-response featuring tobacco, sage, and libation, grounding us in ancestral presence and the healing elements of nature.
Participants will walk a guided path through four significant historic and natural locations, each offering a chance to connect with the land, history, and collective memory. The walk will invite deep reflection on the park’s layered history from Indigenous stewardship to the erasure and resilience of enslaved African lives. The journey culminates at the African Burial Ground with an offering of sunflowers and messages written to the ancestors, which will be placed at the gates as a gesture of honor and remembrance.
We conclude with an on-site art-making workshop to memorialize the moment through drawing, collage, or message making, ending with a circle of silence and intention. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the sacredness of the land and their place in its continuing story.
Workshops start at Enslaved African & Kingsbridge Burial Grounds in Van Cortlandt Park (use Baobab Tree of Life directions in Google Maps)
Space is limited. Advanced registration required.
VAN CORTLANDT PARK ALLIANCE (VCPA)
This program is a part of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Reimagining initiative. In partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and Immanuel Oni, Liminal Sp, VCPA invites the community to reimagine the park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground site as a memorial space that fosters long-term healing and restoration.
This project is supported by the Mellon Foundation.

Forest Fridays
2025-08-01 09:00 - 12:00
Together, we’ll remove species like multiflora rose, bittersweet, and porcelain berry to make space for native plants to thrive. Your hands-on efforts will support the regeneration of this 640-acre urban ecosystem for generations to come.
RSVP Now.
🛠️ What We’ll Do:
• Identify and remove invasive plants using loppers, weed wrenches, and hand tools
• Clear restoration zones to prepare for native regrowth
• Learn on-the-ground forest ecology, urban habitat restoration, and plant ID
• (Bonus) Plant a few native species as conditions allow
📍 Where:
Van Cortlandt Park – Garden & Compost Site
(We’ll hike together to the day’s restoration site from there)
🧰 What to Bring:
• Layers: Long pants (canvas/denim), long sleeves, and a hat to protect from thorns and sun
• Shoes: Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is required (no sandals or Crocs)
• Extras: Reusable water bottle, snacks, sunscreen
• Tools & Gloves: Provided — bring your own gloves if preferred
⚠️ Important Notes
This is real forest work! Expect uneven terrain and encounters with thorny plants, poison ivy, and ticks. We’ll guide you on safety and awareness — please dress accordingly and check for ticks after your shift.
Volunteer Policy for Minors
• Ages 15 – 17
A parent or guardian must sign and submit a volunteer waiver. Once the waiver is on file, the minor may participate without an accompanying adult.
• Ages 12 – 14
A parent or guardian must accompany the minor and remain on-site for the entire project.
• Under 12
Children may volunteer only at events specifically labeled family-friendly and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Bronx Arts Ensemble's SummerMusic
2025-08-02 15:00 - 16:00
August 2nd at 3pm
Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
Latin Jazz with Jennifer Vincent
Join Bronx Arts Ensemble for an afternoon of vibrant Latin jazz with Jennifer Vincent and her band on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.

VCP Nature Group Walk
2025-08-03 09:30 - 10:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about our local flora and fauna from naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature that she enjoys sharing with everyone.
Walk will meet in front of Van Cortlandt Nature Center.
Space is limited.
Advance Registration Required.
What to expect in August:
The warm, dry summer had leaves beginning to dry out on plants and trees, but lately the spate of rain has cooled temperatures. Cicadas and crickets can now be heard buzzing along with melodious birdsong. Butterflies are gracing the meadows, and cottontail rabbits are grazing. Woodland sunflowers, swamp rose mallow, ironweed and Joe-Pye are attracting pollinators, and we hope Jewelweed flowers will bring ruby throated hummingbirds to their nectar. Berries and seeds are ripening to please other avian species. Dragonflies are patrolling the millpond, and wood ducks are slogging through the water chestnut.

Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshops
2025-08-04 16:00 - 18:00
Three Dates!
Monday, August 4 from 4 to 6pm
Saturday, August 9 from 2 to 4pm
Wednesday, August 13 from 4 to 6pm
RSVP Suggested.
Following their inspiring Caribeando performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture last May, Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe is offering an interactive Caribbean Music and Dance workshop in Van Cortlandt Park for the Bronx community.
The Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshop provides an excellent opportunity to learn and practice Caribbean musical and dance traditions rooted in African heritage. Participants will learn Bomba, Plena, Guaracha, Cha-cha-cha, Merengue, and more. All ages, abilities, and skill levels are welcome to explore the basic rhythms, steps, call-and-response interactions, and shared community joy.
Workshop will be held next to the Enslaved African & Kingsbridge Burial Ground behind the Tennis Courts.
Parking is available in the Van Cortlandt Golf Lot. No driving inside the park allowed.
This project is made possible thanks to the Bronx Council on the Arts with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Oﬃce of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Woodlawn Wednesdays
2025-08-06 09:00 - 12:00
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.
RSVP Now.
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, shrubs, and wildflowers.
No experience needed! We provide all tools and gloves. You’ll also learn about learn about forest ecology, plant ID, and restoration techniques.
Where:
Meet outside the handball courts at Woodlawn Playground – just north of Van Cortlandt Park East and Oneida Avenue.
What to Bring:
Long sleeves, long pants (denim or canvas recommended), and a hat
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Water bottle and snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray (recommended)
Your enthusiasm for conservation!
Volunteer Policy for Minors
• Ages 15 – 17
A parent or guardian must sign and submit a volunteer waiver. Once the waiver is on file, the minor may participate without an accompanying adult.
• Ages 12 – 14
A parent or guardian must accompany the minor and remain on-site for the entire project.
• Under 12
Children may volunteer only at events specifically labeled family-friendly and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Yoga in the Park
2025-08-07 19:00 - 20:00
Yoga in the Park • Curated by Timothy Lewis
Thursdays: July 10, 17, 24 & August 7
Note: July 31 session has been rescheduled for August 7 due to rain.
7 to 8 PM • FREE!
Exploratory yoga sessions, incorporating elements of Vinyasa and focusing on mindful movement. Pre-registration strongly suggested. Beginners welcome. BYOM: Bring Your Own Mat!No experience needed, just bring a mat, water, and an open heart.Van Cortlandt Park Memorial Grove
July 10 with Instructor Timothy Lewis
Reconnect with the natural world and your own inner landscape. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and stillness, we’ll explore how the elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space live within the body.
July 17 with Instructor Melissa Rios
Find your flow! Looking for a refreshing way to wind down in the evening? Come join us where fresh air, sunset, and good vibes meet! Let’s stretch, breathe, and move together under the open sky.
July 24 with Instructor Ishkara Heqwabti
Calm your nervous system and feel consciously aware of the here and now.
This 60-minute class blends 30 minutes of Kemetic Yoga (an ancient Egyptian practice focused on breath and posture) and 30 minutes of immersive sound meditation using crystal singing bowls, voice and indigenous instruments that will leave you feeling grounded and renewed.
August 7 with Instructor Wendy of Yoga4theBx
Recharge and radiate like sunshine. We’ll use breath to flow through a Vinyasa yoga practice.
Vinyasa yoga, also known as “flow yoga,” is a dynamic style characterized by breath-synchronized movement, linking poses in a continuous, flowing sequence. It’s known for its energetic nature!
RSVP Now.

VCP Nature Group Walk
2025-08-08 14:00 - 15:00
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about our local flora and fauna from naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature that she enjoys sharing with everyone.
Walk will meet near the Riverdale Stables.
Space is limited.
Advanced Registration Required.
What to expect in August:
The warm, dry summer had leaves beginning to dry out on plants and trees, but lately the spate of rain has cooled temperatures. Cicadas and crickets can now be heard buzzing along with melodious birdsong. Butterflies are gracing the meadows, and cottontail rabbits are grazing. Woodland sunflowers, swamp rose mallow, ironweed and Joe-Pye are attracting pollinators, and we hope Jewelweed flowers will bring ruby throated hummingbirds to their nectar. Berries and seeds are ripening to please other avian species. Dragonflies are patrolling the millpond, and wood ducks are slogging through the water chestnut.

Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshops
2025-08-09 14:00 - 16:00
Three Dates!
Monday, August 4 from 4 to 6pm
Saturday, August 9 from 2 to 4pm
Wednesday August 13 from 4 to 6pm
RSVP Suggested.
Following their inspiring Caribeando performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture last May, Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe is offering an interactive Caribbean Music and Dance workshop in Van Cortlandt Park for the Bronx community.
The Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshop provides an excellent opportunity to learn and practice Caribbean musical and dance traditions rooted in African heritage. Participants will learn Bomba, Plena, Guaracha, Cha-cha-cha, Merengue, and more. All ages, abilities, and skill levels are welcome to explore the basic rhythms, steps, call-and-response interactions, and shared community joy.
Workshop will be held next to the Enslaved African & Kingsbridge Burial Ground behind the Tennis Courts.
Parking is available in the Van Cortlandt Golf Lot. No driving inside the park allowed.
This project is made possible thanks to the Bronx Council on the Arts with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Oﬃce of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Retaining Wall Trail Training
2025-08-11 09:00 - 15:00
We recently had a workshop with the Jolly Rovers and a few volunteers to address erosion issue on The Old Croton Aquedut and John Muir trail. Those that have participated in the workshop are available to continue volunteering while VCPA Trail staff finalizes this project. This volunteering opportunity is geared for those with advance trail skills.
Topics covered:

Introduction and Safety: Briefing on goals, safety protocols, and proper tool usage.
Site Preparation and Excavation: Clearing the area, leveling the ground, and digging a trench for the foundation.
Stone Selection and Sorting: Choosing the right rocks for the wall’s base and upper courses, considering size and shape.
Building the Foundation: Laying the base course, ensuring proper alignment and compaction.
Constructing the Wall: Layering rocks, backfilling with gravel, and compacting the soil behind the wall.
Drainage: Incorporating drainage solutions like weep holes or permeable backfill.
Cover Bands and Copes: Applying finishing touches like cover bands or coping stones.
Finishing Touches: Landscaping around the wall, and cleaning up.
Tool Talk: Demonstrating tools and discussing on-site examples of dry-laid stone walls.

RSVP Now.
Please arrive at the meeting location by 9am and we will walk together to the work site on the Old Croton Aqueduct.
Volunteers must be 18+ for this project.

Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshops
2025-08-13 16:00 - 18:00
Three Dates!
Monday, August 4 from 4 to 6pm
Saturday, August 9 from 2 to 4pm
Canceled due to weather: Wednesday August 13 from 4 to 6pm
New date: Tuesday, September 16th from 4pm to 6pm at new location – Van Cortlandt House Museum
Following their inspiring Caribeando performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture last May, Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe is offering an interactive Caribbean Music and Dance workshop in Van Cortlandt Park for the Bronx community.
The Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshop provides an excellent opportunity to learn and practice Caribbean musical and dance traditions rooted in African heritage. Participants will learn Bomba, Plena, Guaracha, Cha-cha-cha, Merengue, and more. All ages, abilities, and skill levels are welcome to explore the basic rhythms, steps, call-and-response interactions, and shared community joy.
Workshop will be held next to the Enslaved African & Kingsbridge Burial Ground behind the Tennis Courts.
Parking is available in the Van Cortlandt Golf Lot. No driving inside the park allowed.
This project is made possible thanks to the Bronx Council on the Arts with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Oﬃce of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Family Nature Journaling Hike
2025-08-14 10:30 - 12:00
In this free hands-on workshop, you and your young naturalists will practice being scientists, explorers, artists, and storytellers with nature journaling! Kids will get their very own journals to decorate before we head off on our nature hike. Through guided activities, we’ll practice slowing down and using our senses to record, collect, draw, and immerse ourselves in nature!
Space is limited, and registrations are required.
📅 Date: Thursday, August 14th
🕐 Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Location: VCP Golf Lake House, next to the public bathroom area.
Recommended for children ages 6-11.
All materials will be provided, but personal materials can be used as well!
This workshop is entirely outdoors, so please dress according to the weather.
Please e-mail us with any questions at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Yoga in the Park
2025-08-14 19:00 - 20:00
Yoga in the Park • Curated by Timothy Lewis
New Session Added: Thursday, August 14th
7 to 8 PM • FREE!
Exploratory yoga sessions, incorporating elements of Vinyasa and focusing on mindful movement. Pre-registration strongly suggested. Beginners welcome.
BYOM: Bring Your Own Mat!
No experience needed, just bring a mat, water, and an open heart.
Location: Van Cortlandt Park Memorial Grove Lawn
August 14 with Instructor Melissa Rios
Find your flow! Looking for a refreshing way to wind down in the evening? Come join us where fresh air, sunset, and good vibes meet! Let’s stretch, breathe, and move together under the open sky.
RSVP Now.

Canine Court Clean Up
2025-08-19 14:00 - 16:00
NYC Parks staff does not perform daily maintenance inside dog runs.
Daily maintenance is up to volunteers- like YOU!
Join us for an afternoon of weeding, cleaning and spreading woodchips to spruce up Canine Court.
VCPA provides all necessary gear. You bring the can-do attitude
Enter the park at Broadway and W. 252nd.
RSVP Now.

REIMAGINING: In Transition
2025-08-21 18:00 - 20:00
Deep in Van Cortlandt Park there is a sacred area, an enslaved peoples burial ground. This site is a charged space that speaks to the history of place and asks us to consider in the present how we now honor these people, how we enter these spaces, and how we individually and culturally consider transition to ancestors.
In Transition is an offering to consider the unique cultural beliefs around honoring ancestors who have passed. It will be facilitated by artist and space doula Tijay Mohammed, along with Susan Misra and Marcela Torres from the Weaving Liberation of All Beings collective. Together they’ve created an experimental journey for us to interact and reflect with the Enslaved African Burial Ground, plants and cosmos. It will be a space for grieving, remembering, and celebrating concentric circles of ancestors: enslaved peoples, the land and more-than-human kin, familial lineages, and the many people who continue to suffer from oppression today.
Space is limited. Please register in advance.
This program will meet at the southern end of Hester & Piero’s Pond near the Van Cortlandt Golf House.
VAN CORTLANDT PARK ALLIANCE (VCPA)
This program is a part of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Reimagining initiative. In partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and Immanuel Oni, Liminal Sp, VCPA invites the community to reimagine the park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground site as a memorial space that fosters long-term healing and restoration.
This project is supported by the Mellon Foundation.

Trail Work Thursdays
2025-09-04 09:00 - 12:00
Meeting Details:
Location: Van Cortlandt Golf Lake House.
Time: 9 am sharp; work begins at 9:15 am
RSVP Now.
Upcoming Activities Include:
Clearing debris and overgrowth
Ensuring trail safety and accessibility
This project will include constructing a puncheon (a raised wooden walkway) to mitigate erosion and improve access along the John Kieran Trail.
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 community members, learn about trail maintenance, and enjoy the satisfaction of hands-on work in the great outdoors. Necessary tools and gloves will be provided!
Want to bring a group? This event is limited to small groups of 5 or less. If you would like to bring more 6 or more people, please reach out to garcialeslie@vancortlandt.org to schedule a separate event.

Volunteer Policy for Minors
• Ages 15 – 17
A parent or guardian must sign and submit a volunteer waiver. Once the waiver is on file, the minor may participate without an accompanying adult.
• Ages 12 – 14
A parent or guardian must accompany the minor and remain on-site for the entire project.
• Under 12
Children may volunteer only at events specifically labeled family-friendly and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
