Forest Fridays
2025-08-01 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
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.

Starlight Cinema: The Warriors
2025-09-05 18:00 - 21:30
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Horace Mann School Present:
Starlight Cinema: New York, New York
FREE! Movies in the Park FREE!
Friday Nights
Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground
7:30-ish • Movies Begin at Last Light
6 PM • Music of 1979, 1987, 1997, 1984
6:30 PM • Movie-themed Crafts
September 5: The Warriors (1979)
September 12: Moonstruck (1987)
September 19: Men in Black (1997)
September 26: The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
October 3: Official Rain Date

Saturday Trail Volunteer Day
2025-09-06 10:00 - 13:00
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the Cross Country and other trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact!
RSVP Now.
Location: Van Cortlandt Park, Garden and Education Compost Site, across from Riverdale Stables.
Time: 10 am sharp; work begins at 10:15 am
Upcoming Activities Include: clearing debris and overgrowth, repairing trail structures, and ensuring trail safety and accessibility
What to Wear: comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes
What to Bring: Water and a snack
Necessary tools and gloves will be provided!
Want to bring a group? This event is limited to small groups of 9 or less. If you would like to bring more 10 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.

Tune-Up Tuesdays - Fall Garden Volunteering
2025-09-09 10:00 - 13:00
Turnip to volunteer!
At the VCPA Learning Garden & Compost Site, volunteers will learn how to care for a garden in the cooler season, as well as maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce.
No prior gardening experience needed. 18 and older.
Groups of 5+ must register as a unit via email to gardening@vancortlandt.org
Dates:

September 9
September 23
October 14
October 28

Sessions run from 10am-1pm.
RSVP Now.

CANCELED: Van Cortlandt Nature Group Walk
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:00
Due to rainy weather, the walk has been canceled. Another weekday walk will be scheduled for October soon.

Starlight Cinema: Moonstruck
2025-09-12 18:00 - 21:30

Caribeando Music & Dance Workshop
2025-09-16 16:00 - 18:00
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 on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
RSVP Now.
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.

Starlight Cinema: Men in Black
2025-09-19 18:00 - 21:30

Van Cortlandt Nature Group Walk
2025-09-21 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.
RSVP Now.

Trail Work Thursdays
2025-09-25 09:00 - 12:00
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
RSVP Now.
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.

Forest Fridays
2025-09-26 09:00 - 12:00
The October 31st event has been canceled due to forecast of high winds.
Remove invasive vines (bittersweet and multiflora rose) from the Northwest Forest. Protect young trees and maintain trails.
When: Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Van Cortlandt Park – Garden & Compost Site
What to bring: Long pants, closed-toe shoes, water
Tools and gloves provided. Ages 15+ welcome.
RSVP Now.
Minors must have parents sign a volunteer waiver.
Groups of 6+ email noel@vancortlandt.org

Starlight Cinema: The Muppets Take Manhattan
2025-09-26 18:00 - 21:30

Birding with NYC Bird Alliance
2025-09-27 09:00 - 10:30
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, September 27
Saturday, October 25
Sunday, November 23
Saturday, December 6

Note: We do not provide binoculars and suggest that attendees bring their own.
Want us to continue birding programs in the future? Please make a donation during checkout. All donations made will be used to continue birding programs.
As space is limited, if you are not able to attend please let us know ASAP so we can fill in your spot by emailing info@vancortlandt.org.
These events are funded by NFWF’s Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program.
Photo by Jack Rothman

Rising NYRR at the NYRR Cross Country Series #1
2025-09-28 10:00 - 11:00
Kids head to the scenic trails for a fun cross country event with our friends at NYRR! Registration for this event is FREE and open to participants of all abilities and age 2 to 18. Perfect for both new and experienced runners, this fun three-event series is a great way for kids to stay active, build confidence, and experience the thrill of cross country. Every finisher will receive a New Balance cooling towel.
Register today!

REIMAGINING: Chalk Art & Live Music Gathering
2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for an afternoon of creativity and reflection as we gather at the Enslaved African Burial Ground in Van Cortlandt Park. The event will begin with a moving live performance by musician Juan Usera and The Sambuco Tribe, setting the tone and making space for remembrance and renewal. Following the music, Bronx-based artist Tijay Mohammed will lead a chalk art festival along the pathway, transforming the ground into a vibrant canvas that honors history and sparks imagination for the future.
This unique gathering blends art, music, and community in a powerful act of reimagining, bringing people together in a shared experience of creativity and remembrance.
RSVP Now.
Juan Usera is a fourth-generation Bomba practitioner and culture-bearer from Santurce, Puerto Rico, a community educator, researcher, college professor, musician, and performer. He specializes in Puerto Rican and Caribbean music and culture and has over 20 years of experience developing highly engaging cultural activities and arts programs throughout the New York tri-state area. Juan is the founder and director of La Tribu del Juey Sambuco (La Tribu), an Afro-Caribbean music and dance ensemble and arts in education company. La Tribu has been featured at Lincoln Center and El Museo del Barrio among many others. He is the recipient of a NYSCA Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant, City Parks Foundation grant, and NYFA City Artists Corps grant among others.

Ghanaian-born artist Tijay Mohammed currently resides in Bronx, NY. As an artist he has a strong passion for exploring issues that affect community and humanity at large. His work explores the concept of ‘excess’ in the production and consumption of products, and offers a solution through the integration of materials reuse and up-cycling. Tijay has spearheaded workshops and community-oriented projects for esteemed organizations, including the Studio Museum Harlem, Brooklyn Museum, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Wallach Art Gallery, Lehman College, University of Ghana, and Pinto Community Centre in Trinidad and Tobago.

REIMAGINING: Chalk Art & Live Music Gathering is 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.

Wetland Wednesday
2025-10-01 09:00 - 12:00
Fall Edition: Phragmites Removal
Join us to restore Van Cortlandt Park wetlands by removing invasive Phragmites. This October, we’ll cut back reeds to prepare areas for native plantings.
When: Wednesdays in October from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Van Cortlandt Golf House (southern end)
What to bring: Clothes that can get muddy, water bottle, sunscreen.
Tools and gloves provided. Ages 15+ welcome (minors need waiver).
RSVP Now.
Groups of 6+ email noel@vancortlandt.org
This program is supported by the NFWF Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program.
