Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

Drawing Onsite in the Park with Shelley Haven
2021-10-31 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Join artist Shelley Haven to experience nature anew. Tour the site with Shelley and gain insights into selecting and framing your subject. Create an artwork with her guidance and encouragement during the session, then share your work with fellow participants.
For beginning and experienced adults and mature young adults. Drawing materials provided or bring your own favorite supplies! Bring a blanket, portable stool, or chair. Limited park bench seating is available. Class size is limited to 15 registered participants.
Session 2: Moved to Raindate: Sunday, October 31, 2-5pm
Session 2 will take place at the Quiet Zone garden at 261st Street and Broadway.
Meet at the benches facing the garden.
Free. Registration required.
Participants can do either or both sessions.
This program is supported by a City Artist Corps Grant awarded to visual artist Shelley Haven for this Creative Public Engagement project. #CityArtistCorps Learn more by following @NYCulture on social media.
www.shelleyhaven.com
www.instagram.com/shelley.haven.art

Forest Fridays
2021-11-05 09:00 - 12:00
During the month of November we will focus on removal of non-indigenous plant species within our Floodplain Forest worksite, along the Putnam Greenway. This section of forest absorbs and filters water during storms along Tibbetts Brook and provides a location for silt deposition and a buffer for flooding. Species that we will be removing include multiflora rose, Siebold viburnum, bush honeysuckle, privet and porcelainberry. Long pants and closed toed shoes, preferably boots, are required. We will not meet on November 26th. Meeting at the Van Cortlandt Golf House- enter the park at Bailey Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South.
Register Now.

Garden Volunteer Days
2021-11-09 10:00 - 13:00
Help put the garden to bed for winter. Harvest the last of our homegrown produce; pull and compost remaining annual plants; turn and sift compost bins; then collect, organize, and put away supplies for the next growing season.
RSVP Now.
Meet at VCPA Garden & Compost Site.

Family Fun Hike: Leaf Mandalas/Rangoli
2021-11-13 10:00 - 12:00
Family Fun Hikes in Van Cortlandt Park. For 2 to 6 year olds and their adult(s). Led by a Van Cortlandt Park Alliance educator! Golds, reds, oranges and purples are all of the vibrant colors we will see during our stroll on our next Family Hike. Come out and celebrate all of the beautiful colors of fall by creating your very own leaf Mandala/Rangoli. Rangoli or Mandala is an art form from India that uses repeating circular patterns on tabletops and floors. During the month of Diwali in Indian homes, Rangoli designs are used to decorate entrances to welcome in good luck and fortune to the family. So gather as many leaves during our walk and get creative as we explore the Northwest woods!

Program will start at the southern end of the VCPA Garden & Compost Site at 10am. Enter the park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave.

Registration Required.

Tibbetts Brook Trash Cleanup
2021-11-20 10:00 - 12:00
Tibbetts Brook is a tributary to the Hudson River Estuary, flowing through the city of Yonkers into the Bronx, at the heart of Van Cortlandt Park. This small freshwater stream is highly impacted by stormwater runoff, washing in trash from along the roadways. Join us in cleaning up the brook on November 20th. We will be strapping on waders and hopping into the brook or walking along the shoreline removing trash. Bring along water and a snack and meet us in front of the VC Golf Clubhouse (enter the park at Bailey and Van Cortlandt Park South) for sign in and instructions.
Register Now.

Forest Restoration Fridays
2021-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Woodlawn Playground, Van Cortlandt Park East and Oneida Ave., Bronx, NY, 10470
Assist in maintenance of the Northeast forest in Van Cortlandt Park. We will be removing non-indigenous plant species such as angelica tree (Aralia elata) and bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and promoting the growth of the indigenous oak-hickory forest community. Wear close toed shoes and long pants and bring along water. We will provide gloves and tools.

Meet in front of Woodlawn Playground.

RSVP Now.

DIY Wreath Making Workshop
2021-12-04 10:00 - 12:00
Create your very own, truly custom-made seasonal holiday wreath from scratch!
After a short hike in the park to pull and collect invasive bittersweet vine, participants will learn how to mold the twisted pieces into a wreath to decorate with a mix of natural and artificial materials. All supplies will be provided… the rest is up to your imagination!

This is an outdoor event. Please dress for the weather.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Raindate: Sunday December 5th from 10am to 12pm

Purchase Tickets Now!

VCP Research Initiatives
2021-12-28 18:00 - 19:00
Join Field Scientist and Research Coordinator, Alex Byrne for a virtual presentation and time for Q&A as he discusses benthic invertebrate communities and their relationships to water quality in Tibbetts Brook, Japanese knotweed management techniques and forest dwelling invertebrate communities throughout the 640 acres of natural areas within Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx!
RSVP Required.

Forest Restoration Fridays
2022-01-21 09:00 - 12:00
Forest Restoration Friday on February 25th has been canceled due to inclement weather.
During the months of January and February, forest maintenance will entail removal of non-indigenous vine species and shrubs from the Vault Hill section of the Park. Please bring water and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. Events are subject to cancellation if there is inclement weather.
RSVP Here.
Meeting location: Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Educational Garden and Compost Site, enter the park at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway. The garden is across from the parking lot to the Riverdale Stables.

Animal Survival During a Northeastern Winter
2022-01-22 10:00 - 12:00
Join VCPA’s Field Scientist and Research Coordinator, Alex Byrne, in a workshop discussing how animals survive winters in Van Cortlandt Park. Water is the most important component of all life in the forest here in the Northeast, and it’s cycle is drastically altered during winter months. This causes radical changes in an animal’s physiology and behavior in order to match the harsh changes in the environment. Since animals enter hibernation and torpor, others create a form of antifreeze, while others continue to move to maintain high body temperatures. This field workshop will engage you in the many different animal behaviors that occur during the winter months in Van Cortlandt Park. Be sure to dress warm and wear proper footwear!
RSVP Here.
Meeting Location: VCPA Educational Garden and Compost Site; enter park at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway intersection, the Garden and Compost Site is across from the Riverdale Stables parking lot.

Winter Tree Identification
2022-01-29 10:00 - 12:00
Join VCPA’s Restoration and Stewardship Program Director, John Butler, in a workshop focused on identification of woody plants in the winter.

Most of the trees have now lost their leaves. Leaves can be the main identifier for many people when determining what species a tree may be. Yet there are other ways to identify trees and shrubs not using leaves that you can add to your toolbox. This workshop will teach you the basics of what signature traits to look out for when attempting to identify the species of common trees and shrubs in a northeastern forest. These tips will not just help during the winter, but year round. Be sure to dress warm and wear proper footwear!
RSVP Here.

Meeting Location: VCPA Educational Garden and Compost Site; enter park at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway intersection, the Garden and Compost Site is across from the Riverdale Stables parking lot.

Winter Animal Tracking in Van Cortlandt Park
2022-02-12 10:00 - 12:00
Join VCPA Natural Areas Stewardship staff for an introductory training on animal tracks found in the winter months.
Tracks in the park tell a story. Who left those footprints in the mud or that trail in the snow? Who gnawed on the bark of that tree? This workshop will provide an overview of animal tracks, scat, and markings left behind by animals active during wintertime. This workshop will provide an overview of animal tracks, scat and markings that a variety of animals active in the winter months in Van Cortlandt Park leave behind and provide a better insight of what is living in the park. Be sure to dress warm and wear proper footwear!
RSVP Here.
Meeting Location: VCPA Educational Garden and Compost Site; enter park at Mosholu Avenue and Broadway intersection, the Garden and Compost Site is across from the Riverdale Stables parking lot.

Urban Park Roundtable
2022-02-24 12:00 - 17:00
Join urban park managers from across the country on February 24 from 12-5pm for the virtual winter Urban Park Roundtable, hosted by the Central Park Conservancy’s Institute for Urban Parks & Van Cortlandt Park Alliance!
This season’s programming will focus on challenges and opportunities for urban park managers navigating the labor landscape and workforce development in their cities. We’ll be bringing together leaders from across industries and the country to engage in peer-to-peer dialogue and hear from expert guest speakers as they build sustainable solutions for their organizations. Register now!

Bronx Parks Speak Up
2022-02-26 11:00 - 15:00
VCPA and other Bronx parks groups will present at the 28th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up, which will be held virtually. This year’s theme is Green Infrastructure: Building a Healthier Bronx. Sponsored by Con Edison.
Click here for more details and to RSVP.

22 in '22
2022-03-04 08:00 - 2022-10-15 17:00
Take the challenge while supporting the work of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance! Hike 22 miles in Van Cortlandt Park anytime during 2022, post on social media from the park to spread the word, and wear your 22 in ‘22 Finisher’s Patch with pride once you attain your goal (because you earned it!). VCPA will provide you with route options within Van Cortlandt Park, the third largest park in NYC, but you pick your method (hike, run, stroll, skip) and you pick when (as long as you complete it all by December 31, 2022). Van Cortlandt Park, located in the Northwest Bronx, has over 20 miles of trails of various levels of difficulty. If any of the suggested trails are too strenuous, you can substitute as you like. The specific trails do not matter as much as hitting the goal of 22 miles. Registration: $40 for adults/$25 kids/$35 members.

Forest Restoration Fridays
2022-03-04 09:00 - 12:00
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx consists of 640 acres of forest and freshwater wetlands. Help VCPA maintain this important ecosystem.
During the month of March, VCPA’s weekly Forest Restoration Friday’s will meet in front of the Woodlawn Playground and take place in the Northeast Forest of Van Cortlandt Park. Volunteers will assist our staff in removal of non-indigenous shrub and vine species that harm the biodiversity and health of the Park.
Bring along a water bottle and wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and long pants.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

Tibbetts Brook Trash Clean Up
2022-03-19 10:00 - 13:00
Tibbetts Brook, a small freshwater river, cuts through the heart of Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Join us to help clean it!
Join the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance as we spend the morning cleaning Tibbetts Brook. We will be working along the shores and in the stream removing trash and debris.
Dress warm, bring water, and wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Some volunteers can walk up the Putnam to join some staff up near the border removing trash from the Brook. Others can stay close to the Van Cortlandt Golf Course Clubhouse and clean up along the shores of the pond.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

Family Fun Hike: Welcome Spring!
2022-03-26 10:00 - 12:00
Family Fun Hikes in Van Cortlandt Park. For 2 to 6 year olds and their adult(s). Led by a Van Cortlandt Park Alliance educator!

Welcome Spring!
Can you find Spring? Is it hiding behind the rocks or up in a tree? Could be!
Let’s hike through the woods and use our senses to find Spring! After our interactive walk you will have a chance to decorate your own flower pot and plant some seeds.
Read Aloud Story: Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn
Program will start at the southern end of the Van Cortlandt Golf House at 10am. Enter the park at Van Cortlandt Park South and Bailey Avenue.
– Easy hike include a hands-on activity and goody bags for all participants (even parents!).
– Tickets must be purchased for everyone participating.
– Please select the appropriate ticket so we can prepare your goody bags!
– Space is limited, so register soon.
RSVP Now.
VCPA will hold Family Fun Hike Rain or Shine! In the event of heavy downpours or thunderstorms, we will cancel and refund tickets. Tickets canceled with less than 48 hour notice will not be refunded.

Forest Restoration Fridays
2022-04-01 09:00 - 12:00
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx contains 640 acres of forest and freshwater wetlands. Join VCPA in maintaining this important ecosystem.
Every Friday during the month of April 2022, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance staff will be working within the floodplain forest of Tibbetts Brook removing non-indigenous shrubs and vines. These non-indigenous plants impact the biodiversity and health of the Park, and we invite volunteers to just us in this removal effort.
Meet in front of the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Clubhouse, bring along water, and wear sturdy shoes and long pants. The worksite is a 20 minute walk from the meeting location.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

Birdwalks with NYC Audubon
2022-04-16 09:00 - 10:30
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and New York City Audubon invite you to join us for weekly birdwalks this spring.
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 lead by a New York City Audubon guide.
Advance registration is required and limited to 20 people per week.
Photo by John Larson, Audubon Photography Awards 2015.

Garlic Mustard Pull
2022-04-16 10:00 - 13:00
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx is home to 640 acres of forest and wetlands. Non-indigenous species such as garlic mustard threaten it.
Join VCPA in removing the non-indigenous herbaceous plant known as garlic mustard from the understory of Van Cortlandt Park. The species threatens the biodiversity within the park. It is fun and easy to remove!
Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Bring along plenty of water.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

261st Street Garden Volunteer Day
2022-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
Celebrate Earth Day with VCPA and the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance as we maintain the garden and field at 261st and Broadway.
Show VCP some TLC for Earth Day! Volunteers needed to help us beautify the 261st Street section of VCP. Gloves and tools provided.
Raindate: Saturday May 7th at 10am.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

Woodlawn Beautification Day
2022-04-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodlawn Playground, Van Cortlandt Park East and Oneida Ave., Bronx, NY, 10470
Join VCPA, Women of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association as we continue to beautify the wildflower patch and the area around Woodlawn Playground. Projects will include removing non-native invasive plants, planting native species and general clean-up around the playground and in the wildflower garden. Meet in front of Woodlawn Playground. All work tools and supplies will be provided.
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.

City Nature Challenge
2022-04-30 10:00 - 13:00
The City Nature Challenge is an annual global bioblitz event occurring in 2022 between April 29th and May 2nd. It is a friendly competition to see which city can gather the most observations, find the most species, and engage the most people. This collaborative effort gathers important biodiversity data within urban ecosystems. The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance staff will lead you in helping document the biodiversity here in the Bronx. The program will begin with an iNaturalist best practices overview followed by a group bioblitz in the park.
Saturday April 30: Meet at VCPA’s Garden & Compost Site- enter the park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave. RSVP for April 30.
Sunday May 1: Meet at the VCP Golf Course- enter the park at Bailey Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South. RSVP for May 1.

Trail Work Wednesdays
2022-05-04 09:00 - 12:00
VCPA and volunteers will be working on maintenance of trails throughout the park. Bring along a water bottle and wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and long pants.
May Trail Work Wednesdays will meet at Garden and Compost Site.
RSVP Now.

Barefoot Dancing
2022-05-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Van Cortlandt Park Golf House, 115 Van Cortlandt Park West, Bronx, NY, 10471, United States
Workshop and Performance of Bomba Music and Dance by Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe. Bomba is an Afro-Puerto Rican musical genre with its origins in West Africa, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.
This cultural enrichment event is free, fun, and for the whole family. All ages are welcome!
New Location! Van Cortlandt Golf House – Back Deck. Enter the park at Bailey and Van Cortlandt Park South.
RSVP Now.
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.

Springtime Fête!
2022-05-19 18:00 - 20:00
A festive evening by the lake celebrating two remarkable women
Sonia Manzano
Sesame Street’s Maria
Actress & Author
Cultivating the Bronx Award

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa
First Deputy Commissioner
NYC Parks
Betty Campbell-Adams Park Angel Award

Cocktails • Abundant Hors d’oeuvres • Dessert
Dance Party • Picturesque Setting • Raffle
Dress Fabulous!
Tickets on Sale!

Community Volunteer Day: Forest Restoration
2022-05-21 10:00 - 13:00
Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx contains 640 acres of forest and freshwater wetlands. Join VCPA in maintaining this important ecosystem. The Northwest Forest in particular is mainly derived of an oak-hickory community in the canopy. Winged euonymus, also known as burning bush, is a non-indigenous and invasive shrub species commonly planted in yards. It threatens the recruitment of oaks and hickories in the understory and limits the biodiversity of the forest and has populated the understory of the Northwest Forest. Volunteers will assist VCPA staff in removing the winged euonymus from the forest.
Meet at VCPA’s Garden & Compost Site. Enter the park at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue.
RSVP Now!

Barefoot Dancing
2022-06-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Van Cortlandt Park Golf House, 115 Van Cortlandt Park West, Bronx, NY, 10471, United States
Featuring Quenia Ribeiro with Live Drumming performing Samba dance from Brazil. This workshop and performance will consist of various forms of Samba from Bahia and Rio De Janeiro – including Samba Reggae, Samba Afro, Samba No Pe, Miudinho, and Samba De Roda.
This cultural enrichment event is free, fun, and for the whole family. All ages are welcome!
Special Thank You to Abada-Capoeira Bronx.
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.
RSVP Now.

Forest Restoration Fridays
2022-06-03 09:00 - 12:00
Every Friday during June, volunteers can join VCPA staff in maintaining the floodplain forest along Tibbetts Brook in Van Cortlandt Park. Work will entail removal of non-indigenous plant species such as mile-a-minute, mugwort, multiflora rose, and bush honeysuckle.
Volunteers can meet VCPA staff outside the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course Clubhouse at 9am. We will provide gloves and any tools needed for the project. Make sure to where long pants, closed-toe shoes, and bring along plenty of water. We look forward to seeing you out in the Park!
RSVP Now.
Please be advised as of 12/27/21, a vaccine mandate has been ordered by the City of New York. In order to participate in Van Cortlandt Park Alliance volunteer events, all volunteers must be vaccinated.
