THE FREE NEWSPAPER of OUTDOOR ADVENTURE JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 2 NYC Parks Nyc.Gov/Parks/Rangers URBAN PARK RANGERS
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THE FREE NEWSPAPER OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 2 NYC Parks nyc.gov/parks/rangers URBAN PARK RANGERS When I am not serving as director of world. You have to be present with sounds, Computer Resource Centers, 32 public smells, and movements in a wild place, in Message From technology labs in recreation centers, the moment you are in. We all have this I spend much time outside gardening, instinct. To be sensitive on this level is still a Ana Campos, hiking, and sometimes taking photos human survival trait. Director, of the natural world. Lucky for us, our Rangers are here to help Computer Resource I am perpetually amazed by what just a few re-kindle this link (no, not a URL)! Centers minutes “in the woods” can do to transport me away from a day’s work. A step into We are creatures defined by our Inwood Park, the Ramble in Central Park, inventions—our technologies—whether or the Greenbelt on Staten Island changes it be fire or Firefox, copper or Chrome; everything. I usually have a camera or phone we bring our tools along with us. Yet, how in hand, but most people are surprised when lucky we are to also have the ability to use I say that I spend much more time in the our five senses and memories to keep us outdoors “disconnected.” connected with nature and with each other on a visceral level. We all love photos of small animals because these creatures—a squirrel with a nut, an My challenge to you: Join an Urban Park adorable baby bird, give us the opportunity Ranger program and reconnect with to experience the “other” of nature, in the nature with limited use of technology. comfort of our own homes, on our time. If you cannot get out to the more remote places in the city, join a PhotoFit! series of I wonder if it doesn’t reveal some bit of our park tours and nature photography yearning to be closer to the sweetness, and workshops or a blogging class to share also the extreme of nature. When the call of your nature journals online. Help your teens the wild rises, the smartphone takes us enroll in our upcoming RECyouth Summer there. This is not bad, as long as we are also Institute for multimedia. directly connected. When you return from your summer Credit: NYC Parks In 2016, it takes courage and a bit of adventures, come in to our labs and selflessness to connect with the natural let us help you tell your story. Urban Park Ranger Facilities For Nature Center, Visitors Center and MANHATTAN STATEN ISLAND Ranger Station hours, please call the Belvedere Castle Blue Heron Nature Center specific location. Central Park 79th Street, mid-park. Blue Heron Park 222 Poillon Avenue, (212) 628-2345 between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard. (718) 967-3542 BRONX Pelham Bay Ranger Station QUEENS Pelham Bay Park Bruckner Boulevard and Alley Pond Park Adventure Center Wilkinson Avenue. (718) 319-7258 Alley Pond Park Enter at Winchester Boulevard, under the Grand Central Orchard Beach Nature Center Parkway. (718) 217-6034 or (718) 217-4685 Pelham Bay Park Section 2 of Orchard THE FREE NEWSPAPER OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Beach. (718) 885-3466 Forest Park Ranger Station Urban Park Rangers Forest Park Woodhaven Boulevard and 1234 Fifth Avenue Van Cortlandt Nature Center Forest Park Drive. (718) 846.2731 New York, NY 10029 Van Cortlandt Park Enter the park at West 246th Street and Broadway. Fort Totten Visitors Center Chief, Education Deputy Director (718) 548-0912 Fort Totten Park Enter the park at fort and Wildlife Bonnie McGuire Sarah Aucoin entrance, north of intersection of 212th Deputy Director Street and Cross Island Parkway and Graphic Designer Richard Simon BROOKLYN follow signs. (718) 352-1769 Elizabeth Green Salt Marsh Nature Center Marine Park East 33rd Street and Avenue U. (718) 421-2021 URBAN PARK RANGERS nyc.gov/parks/rangers NYC Parks 3 Credit: Malcolm Pinckney | NYC Parks Mayor de Blasio expands free ‘Movies Under The Stars’ outdoor film series to more parks throughout the five boroughs Over 300 films will be screened during the 2016 season. For the first time ever, the City’s outdoor film way,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Parks hosting films for the first time include: screening series “Movies Under the Stars” “Our administration is committed to • Edward Byrne Park and Harvey Park will bring 300 films to parks in all five increasing access to family-friendly cultural in Queens; boroughs, including many parks that have opportunities, and this partnership is a • Cooper Park, Linden Park, McGolrick never hosted movie nights before. perfect example of this work. I encourage all Park, Kelly Park, and John Paul Jones New Yorkers to take advantage of this fun Park in Brooklyn; Mayor Bill de Blasio, Media and and free summer program.” • West Bronx Ball Field, Sachkerah Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin Playground, Van Cortlandt Park, and NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. “We are happy to once again present Middletown Park, Crotona Park and Silver, FAICP, announced the major outdoor movies to New Yorkers across Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx; expansion, which will double the number the five boroughs and we want them to of free film screenings to New Yorkers enjoy this experience to the fullest,” • Carl Schurz Park, East River Park throughout the five boroughs. said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Bandshell, Vincent F. Albano Jr. Silver. “Each year we try to add more Playground and Howard Bennett Throughout the summer months, parks in films and include more locations so that Playground in Manhattan; the five boroughs will host screenings of everyone has an opportunity to come • Bloomingdale Park and Wolfe’s Pond classic films like Casablanca, Moonstruck, out and catch a movie in a park. This Park in Staten Island and The Blues Brothers, as well as new year, ‘Movies Under the Stars’ will show “Movies Under the Stars” is the annual favorites, like Star Wars–The Force Awakens, a total of 300 films. We encourage friends, summer movie series presented by Inside Out, and Brooklyn. The announcement families, residents, and neighbors of The City of New York. Through this program, comes as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is every community to take advantage of New Yorkers are encouraged to pack a scheduled to screen at East Williamsburg’s this moment.” picnic, grab a blanket, and enjoy a movie Cooper Park, a park receiving programming in a neighborhood park. Movies are hosted for the first time. More than 60 percent of the 2016 in all five boroughs and begin at dusk. Movies Under the Stars events will “‘Movies Under the Stars’ gives New Yorkers take place in parks throughout New Visit nyc.gov/MoviesUnderTheStars for in every borough the opportunity to engage York City that have never received the most up-to-date schedule of screenings with film in a collective and meaningful programming before. and locations. 4 NYC Parks nyc.gov/parks/rangers URBAN PARK RANGERS Ranger’s Choice NYC Parks’ bright and talented Urban Park Rangers are what make our Weekend Adventure programs so amazing. This summer we are featuring some of our top picks for outdoor adventure—from stunning wildlife viewing to behind-the-scenes access, these programs are not to be missed. Space is limited on all Ranger’s Choice programs and registration is required. Please visit nyc.gov/parks/rangers/register to register. Selected parties will be notified of meeting locations and other details. BRONX MANHATTAN QUEENS continued SATURDAY, JULY 16 SUNDAY, JULY 3 SATURDAY, JULY 16 Ranger’s Choice: Island Hopping / Orchard Ranger’s Choice: Randall’s Island Salt Ranger’s Choice: Flushing Freedom Mile / Beach 10:00 a.m. Spend a day exploring the Marsh Excursion (Advanced) / Randall’s Daniel Carter Beard Mall 1:00 p.m. islands that surround the Orchard Beach Island Park 8:30 a.m. Explore the natural This walk highlights historic sites in Estuary by canoe. Experienced paddlers salt marshes and Forever Wild areas that Flushing, dating back as early as the late only. Register on Wednesday, July 6. surround Randall’s Island. Prior canoeing 1600s. Flushing was home to a famous experience is required. Register on inventor, a passageway of the Underground SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Wednesday, June 22. Railroad, and has one of the city’s few Ranger’s Choice: Hawk Watch / Pelham Bay landmarked trees. Our tour route takes you Park 1:00 p.m. The old Pelham Bay landfill SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 on a journey through past, present, and remains closed to the public, making it a Ranger’s Choice: Little Red Lighthouse future. Register on Wednesday, July 6. great place to watch migrating birds of prey. Lantern Tour / Fort Washington Park Join a small group of fellow birders as we 8:00 p.m. The Jeffrey’s Hook lighthouse, SATURDAY, JULY 30 go in search of these avian hunters. erected in 1880 and moved to its current Ranger’s Choice: Idlewild Birding by Canoe Register on Thursday, August 25. site in 1921, has become widely known as Excursion (Advanced) / Idlewild Park the children’s literary landmark The Little 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a peaceful paddle in the Red Lighthouse. Join us as we explore this wetlands of Jamaica Bay and view the BROOKLYN unique landmark at night. Register on incredible birds of this habitat. Register SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Wednesday, July 27. on Wednesday, July 20. Ranger’s Choice: Hike and Paddle Gerritsen Creek / Marine Park 10:00 a.m. Join us for a vigorous hike through the QUEENS STATEN ISLAND sandy paths of Marine Park then launch a SATURDAY, JULY 2 SUNDAY, JULY 3 canoe from Gerritsen Beach and paddle Plover Day! / Rockaway Beach 11:00 a.m.