Hike-toberfest 2024
Support the Park! Hike-then-sip at VCPA’s Annual Hike-toberfest! Hike in the park followed by a classic Oktoberfest celebration, complete with local beer, German food, live music, lawn games, and more. Tickets...
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Monday Morning Clean Ups
Nice weekends bring lots of visitors to the park. Lots of visitors make a mess! Volunteers are needed to help park staff tidy up. Help Van Cortlandt Park staff clean up after weekend picnicking. We provide gloves and materials to help keep this park in tip-top shape. You provide can-do spirit and sturdy shoes for...
Garden Tune-Up Tuesdays
Turnip to volunteer! At the VCPA Educational Garden & Compost Site, we are open and enjoying our rebuilt space while maintaining our plants and produce. Volunteers will learn how to care for the garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed. 18 and older. Groups of 5+ must register as...
Wetland Wednesdays
Each Wednesday, we’ll focus on different tasks depending on the season—such as phragmites cutting, water chestnut removal, and other vital restoration activities. Our efforts help maintain the health and biodiversity of Van Cortlandt Park's wetlands, ensuring the sustainability of this important ecosystem. For the October dates, our primary task will be cutting back invasive phragmites...
Youth Run Farm Stand
We are very excited to bring our Youth Run Farmstand featuring fresh local produce and local goodies at affordable prices back! Wednesdays 2-7pm from July 10 to October 30 Gale Place and Orloff Avenue We accept WIC, FMNP Checks, EBT, Snap, Fresh Connect Checks, Cash and Credit/Debit.
Trail Thursdays on the XC
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the historic Cross Country Course 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...
Memorial Grove Maintenance for Veterans Day
Join us in honoring our veterans by maintaining Memorial Grove in Van Cortlandt Park this October. We’re hosting two volunteer events to ensure the grove is beautifully prepared for our upcoming Veterans Day celebration. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with fellow volunteers. Event Details:...
Fall Compost Crew
Are you a local student in middle-school or high-school and are interested in gardening? VCPA invites you to join our Compost Crew this Fall and learn how to maintain an urban garden! Compost Crew members will maintain compost, plant, harvest, and prep our garden for winter. No garden experience required! Schedule: Thursdays from 4pm to...
Forest Fridays
🌳 What: Forest Restoration in the Northwest Forest 📅 When: Fridays ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 📍 Where: Van Cortlandt Park - Garden & Compost Site Description: We will be focusing on removing invasive species like porcelain berry, bittersweet, mile-a-minute, Norway Maple and more. These activities are crucial in preserving the health and...
Rowboating on the Mill Pond
Village Community Boathouse is back with FREE rowboating on Hester and Piero's Mill Pond.
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 of Forest Week Planting Event
Join us for an important planting event in the Northeast Forest as we work to preserve the health and biodiversity of our forest. Activities Include: Invasive Species Removal: Help us remove invasive plants threatening our native ecosystem. Native Species Planting: Get new trees and shrubs in the ground as part of City of Forest Week....