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OutdoorsIN CITY January/February/March 2018 Welcome to Outdoors in Ranger Facilities Please call specific locations for hours. BRONX Outdoors in New York City is a quarterly Pelham Bay Ranger Station // (718) 319-7258 newsletter that highlights activities and // Bruckner Boulevard events from NYC Parks. This issue focuses and Wilkinson Avenue on ways to stay active and enjoy our parks throughout the winter. Van Cortlandt Nature Center // (718) 548-0912 // West 246th Street and Broadway Combat the winter doldrums with a hike, lecture, wildlife viewing, monthly club meeting, or self-guided winter bingo (see page 8). For the three coldest months Nature Center // (718) 421-2021 of the year you can stay active, healthy, Marine Park // East 33rd Street and Avenue U and informed.

There are so many reasons to attend a Ranger program: Hiking in the winter won’t Payson Center // (212) 304-2277 just help you warm up, it’s also a great way // Payson Avenue and to find solitude or a quiet moment in our Dyckman Street parks. NYC Parks manages 30,000 acres for you to explore, and the winter is a great time to brush up on local city history, take a tour, or look for wildlife in a quiet forest or placid, Adventure Center icy shorefront with us! (718) 217-6034 // (718) 217-4685 Alley Pond Park // Enter at Winchester Boulevard, under the

Forest Park Ranger Station // (718) 846-2731 // Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive

Fort Totten Visitors Center // (718) 352-1769 Park // Enter the park at fort entrance, north of intersection of 212th Street and and follow signs

STATEN ISLAND Blue Heron Nature Center // (718) 967-3542 // 222 Poillon Ave. between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

2 Cover photo: NYC Parks Outdoors, Jan/Feb/March 2018 2

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Winter Highlights

1 White-Tailed Deer 4 Nocturnal Wildlife White-tailed deer are an important part of New As the sun sets earlier, many crepuscular and York State’s rich ecosystem and are greatly valued nocturnal animals come out sooner for your viewing by many New Yorkers. These city dwellers can be pleasure. A quiet guided hike is the best way to try to found browsing in forested parks in locate these elusive creatures. Night herons, bats, and . and are just some of the creatures of the Saturday Jan. 28 // Living with White-tailed Deer night that might appear in our parks. Greenbelt Nature Center // 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 11 // Nocturnal Hike Flushing Meadows Corona Park // 7:00 p.m. 2 Owls Leafl ess trees provide perfect viewing opportunities 5 Astronomy of some resident and migrating owl species. Eastern The colder winter clears the night sky of clouds Screech Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Saw Whet and creates ideal conditions for stargazing. Owls call our parks home for the winter. These birds Meteors, constellations, planets, and the many of prey are most active at dusk while hunting for their phases of the moon will be visible through a next meal. telescope with a trained eye. Sunday Feb. 11 // Birding: Owls Sunday, Jan. 14 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Inwood Hill Park // 5:00 p.m. Marine Park // 6:00 p.m.

3 Seals Winter is a great time to explore the shoreline for seals and other marine wildlife. This time of year, native Harbor Seals bask rejoicing in the cold temperatures. Catch a glimpse of these marine mammals during low tide on rocky outcroppings off the shores of the city. Saturday, Feb. 10 // Daylight Hike Pelham Bay Park // 2:00 p.m. Orchard Nature Center, Section 2 of

3 Urban Park Ranger Programs For a complete detailed listing of programs and to register, visit nyc.gov/parks/rangers.

BRONX Sunday, March 4 // Night Hike Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Pelham Bay Park // 6:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Park // 11:00 a.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration Van Cortlandt Nature Center, begins on Wednesday, Feb. 21. West 246th Street and Broadway Saturday, March 17 // Survival Series #4: Saturday, Jan. 20 // Survival Series #1: The 10 Essentials Fire Making Skills Pelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue West 246th Street and Broadway Sunday, March 18 // Living with Urban Sunday, Jan. 28 // Birding: Owls Van Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins Street and Broadway on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Sunday, March 25 // Women’s History Month: Saturday, Feb. 3 // Survival Series #2: Shelter Building Pelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Boulevard Meet at Pelham and Split Rock Golf Course, and Wilkinson Avenue 870 Shore Road

Saturday, Feb. 10 // Seal Exploration Pelham Bay Park // 2:00 p.m. BROOKLYN Orchard Beach Nature Center, Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Section 2 of Orchard Beach // 11:00 a.m. Prospect Park Center, East Drive Saturday, Feb. 17 // Survival Series #3: and Lincoln Road Staying Found and Signaling for Help Van Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Marine Park // 6:00 p.m. Street and Broadway Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U Sunday, Feb. 18 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Pelham Bay Park // 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 // Nature’s Workshop: Jewelry Making Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Marine Park // 1:00 p.m. Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U Saturday, Feb. 24 // African-American History Month: The Birthplace of Hip Hop Saturday, Jan. 27 // Historic New York: Survival Cedar Playground // 1:00 p.m. During the American Revolution West 179th Street between Cedar // 1:00 p.m. Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park

4 Outdoors, Jan/Feb/March 2018 Saturday, Feb. 3 // African-American History Sunday, Jan. 14 // North Manhattan Parks Month: Bedford-Stuyvesant Super Hike Herbert Von King Park // 1:00 p.m. Inwood Hill Park // 11:00 a.m. Clifton Place and Marcy Avenue Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Sunday, Feb. 11 // Winter Landscape Photography Prospect Park // 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 // The New York City Naturalist Prospect Park Audubon Center, East Drive and Club: Eagle Watch Lincoln Road. Lottery registration begins on Inwood Hill Park // 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Payson Center, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street

Saturday, Feb. 17 // Winter Tree ID Sunday, Jan. 21 // Finding Your Way: Prospect Park // 11:00 a.m. Maps and Compasses Prospect Park Audubon Center, East Drive // 1:00 p.m. and Lincoln Road Dana Discovery Center, West 110th Street and Lenox Avenue Saturday, Feb. 24 // Nature’s Workshop: Natural Fibers Saturday Jan. 27 // Winter Super Hike Fort Greene Park // 1:00 p.m. Central Park // 11:00 a.m. Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue Meet at East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue and Washington Park Saturday, Feb. 10 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Sunday, March 4 // Historic New York: Central Park // 7:00 p.m. Nature and Design Great Lawn, 85th Street, mid-Central Park Prospect Park // 1:00 p.m. Meet under the arch at Grand Army Plaza Sunday Feb. 11 // Birding: Owls Inwood Hill Park // 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 11 // Nature’s Workshop: Payson Center, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street Science Discovery Marine Park // 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street Seneca Village and Avenue U Central Park // 1:00 p.m. West 81st Street and Central Park West Sunday, March 18 // Women’s History Month: Gravesend Cemetery Tour Saturday, Feb. 18 // The New York City Naturalist Club: Gravesend Cemetery // 11:00 a.m. Manhattan Rocks! Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins // 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7. Meet at Margaret Corbin Circle. One-way hike will end at Inwood Hill Park. Saturday, March 24 // Sounds of Nature Fort Greene Park 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 10 // Outdoor Skills: Fire Making Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue and Inwood Hill Park // 1:00 p.m. Washington Park Isham Street and Seaman Avenue Sunday, March 11 // Historic New York: The High Bridge and the Croton Aqueduct MANHATTAN // 1:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike West 174th Street and Amsterdam Avenue Inwood Hill Park // 1:00 p.m. Isham Street and Seaman Avenue Saturday, March 31 // Women’s History Month: Influential Women Van Tour Central Park // 11:00 a.m. Meeting place TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday March 21.

5 QUEENS Sunday, March 4 // Women’s History Month: Historic Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Women of Queens // 1:00 p.m. Alley Pond Park // 1:00 p.m. Rose Avenue and Avenue Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Winchester Boulevard, under the Grand Central Parkway Sunday, Jan. 14 // Birding: Owls Alley Pond Park // 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 11 // Nocturnal Hike Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration Flushing Meadows Corona Park // 7:00 p.m. begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Mauro Playground Park Drive East and 73rd Terrace

Saturday, Jan. 20 // Birding: Winter Waterfowl Saturday, March 18 // Native American Games // 1:00 p.m. // 11:00 a.m. Meet at Parking Lot, Baisley Boulevard and Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue 155th Street Saturday, March 31 // Stargazing Club: The Blue Moon Sunday, Jan. 21 // Nature’s Workshop: Alley Pond Park // 6:00 p.m. Nature Illustrations Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Winchester Forest Park // 1:00 p.m. Boulevard, under the Grand Central Parkway Forest Park Visitor Center, Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive

Sunday, Jan. 28 // Stargazing Club: The Supermoon STATEN ISLAND Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Rockaway Beach // 6:00 p.m. Blue Heron Park // 11:00 a.m. Meet at Beach 116th Street Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave., Saturday, Feb. 10 // Night Hike between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard Forest Park // 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 // Animal of the Month Club: Forest Park Visitor Center, Woodhaven Aquatic Rodents Boulevard and Forest Park Drive Historic Richmondtown // 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: Richmond Road and St. Patrick’s Place The Flushing Freedom Mile Saturday, Jan. 20 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Daniel Carter Beard Square // 11:00 a.m. LaTourette Park // 6:00 p.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins Meet at parking lot at end of Alaska Place on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Saturday, Jan. 27 // Animal of the Month Club: Sunday, Feb. 18 // Winter Wildlife Viewing Aquatic Rodents Captain Tilly Park// 11:00 a.m. // 11:00 a.m. Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue Richmond Avenue and Eton Place Saturday, Feb. 24 // Stargazing Club: The Night Sky Sunday, Jan. 28 // Living with White-tailed Deer Fort Totten Park // 6:00 p.m. Greenbelt Nature Center // 1:00 p.m. Fort Totten Park Visitor Center, 212th Street Rockland Avenue and Brielle Avenue and Cross Island Parkway

6 Photos: NYC Parks Outdoors, Jan/Feb/March 2018 Saturday, Feb. 3 // Animal of the Month Club: Bald Eagles Lemon Creek Pier // 10:00 a.m. Hylan Boulevard and Sharrott Avenue KIDS WEEK FEB. 19–23 Sunday, Feb. 11 // Ranger’s Choice: Owls and Pellets Blue Heron Park // 1:00 p.m. School’s out: Take the kids to a park and Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave., enjoy a variety of nature programs. Get between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard outside and get excited!

Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: MONDAY, FEB. 19 // 1:00 P.M. Sandy Ground Bronx: Pelham Bay Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt // 11:00 a.m. Marsh Nature Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Meet at Playground at Ramona Avenue Center // Queens: Kissena Park // Staten Island: Bloomingdale Park and Lenevar Avenue TUESDAY, FEB. 20 // 1:00 P.M. Sunday, Feb. 18 // Animal of the Month Club: Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Bald Eagles Marsh Nature Center, Fort Greene Visitor Center // // 10:00 a.m. Manhattan: Payson Center // Queens: Fort Totten Visitor Conference House Visitor Center, Satterlee Street Center // Staten Island: Allison Pond Park and Hylan Boulevard WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 // 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Feb. 24 // Outdoor Skills: Fire Making Bronx: // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature // 11:00 a.m. Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Center // Queens: // Staten Island: Corporal Thompson Park Park Drive and Clove Road THURSDAY, FEB. 22 // 1:00 P.M. Sunday, March 4 // Animal of the Month: Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Seals and Whales Marsh Nature Center, Fort Greene Visitor Center // Conference House Park // 1:00 p.m. Manhattan: Payson Center // Queens: // Conference House Visitor Center, Satterlee Staten Island: Blue Heron Nature Center Street and Hylan Boulevard FRIDAY, FEB. 23 // 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 10 // Women’s History Month: Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Gretta Moulton Center // Queens: Forest Park // Staten Island: High Rock Park // 11:00 a.m. Conference House Park Nevada Ave Parking Lot, park in lot at the end of Nevada Avenue

Saturday, March 17 // High Rock Park // 1:00 p.m. Nevada Ave Parking Lot, park in lot at the end of Nevada Avenue

7 Winter Bingo: Signs of Wildlife

Though we may not always spot them in the wild, wildlife leave plenty of clues that let us know they are using our parks for food, water, and shelter—even during the coldest winter months! Bring this page and a pencil on your next adventure in a park. As you explore, look high and low for the clues listed below, and draw a picture of each clue you observe. Can you complete three in a row and become a Winter Wildlife Watcher? Have something you’d like to share? Tag us @NYCParks on Twitter and Instagram.

Gnawed seeds/ leaves Flying wildlife Wildlife scat

A safe place to rest A nest Wildlife on the ground

Water for wildlife Claw marks on a tree Wildlife footprints