Events: September 2015

Join the Prospect Park Alliance in September for late summer activities! At , bake pies on a woodburning hearth, help harvest and eat the potato crop, and play historic games. Join Alliance educators at Pop-Up Audubon tents to explore the birds of prey and aquatic animals that inhabit the park. Adults can get in on the fun too, by showing off their serves at the Prospect Park Tennis Tournament.

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Transforming Food Saturdays & Sundays in September, 2–4 pm Lefferts Historic House, $3 suggested donation Join the Prospect Park Alliance to help make tasty treats in the Lefferts wood burning hearth. Roll up your sleeves and help churn butter, grind corn and peel apples. We will be making herb butter for popcorn and apple pie for all to share.

Pop-Up Audubon: Radical Raptors Saturdays & Sundays in September, 10 am–3 pm Zucker Natural Exploration Area, Free Join the Alliance to learn what makes birds of prey so radical and learn about different species of raptors that migrate through Prospect Park. • Nature Play, 10–2 pm: Join Alliance naturalists and learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and develop self-reliance, creativity and problem-solving skills through different outdoor play-based activities. Program includes opportunities to dissect an owl pellet and paint with mud! • Nature’s Helpers, 1 pm: Did you know that trees help trees? After learning how mulch protects tree roots, spend time spreading wood chips around trees. • Family Bird Watching, 2 pm: Did you know that as an Important Bird Area, Prospect Park supports an exceptional diversity of migrating birds and is an essential stopover for about 250 species of birds? After learning how to use binoculars, participants of all ages can join Alliance Naturalists on a walk to learn how to identify these birds!

Pop-Up Audubon II: Climate Clues Saturdays & Sundays in September, 10 am-3 pm Nethermead near Binnen Water, Free This year, the Prospect Park Alliance offers twice the Pop-Up fun with a second tent that explores the Park’s aquatic habitats. In September, explore how climate change and environmental impacts affect the Park’s ecosystems.

• Discovery Pack, 10 am–2 pm: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with our new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. • Nethermead & Ravine Ramble, 11–12 pm: Join Alliance naturalists for a guided nature walk following the midsection of Prospect Park’s watercourse and explore the unique ecosystems of the Ravine and Nethermead. • Junior Naturalists, 12–1 pm: Investigate how climate change and other human impacts have altered ecosystems in Prospect Park in this citizen science program. • Nature’s Helpers, 1–2 pm: Let’s lend a helping hand to make our park a better place. Learn how mulch helps trees, spread wood chips or protect the environment by removing damaging litter. • Family Bird Watching, 2–3 pm: After learning how to use binoculars, join our naturalists to identify some of the 250 species of birds that call Prospect Park home.

Prospect Park Tennis Tournament Saturday, September 5–Sunday, October 4 Prospect Park Tennis Center, Registration required Show off your tennis skills while competing for trophies and cash prizes at the annual Prospect Park Tennis Championship. Players at 4.0 level and above are invited to enter the A tournaments, while players ranked 3.5 and below should sign up for the B tournaments. Registration closes at noon on Wednesday, September 2.

Early Morning Bird Walk: Fall Migration Sunday, September 6, 8–9 am Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free This is the month migration gets into full swing, with adult and juvenile birds returning from their nesting grounds to the tropics. Catch a glimpse of a variety of species as they pass through the Park on their way south. Led by the Bird Club, this tour leaves promptly at 8 am.

Labor Day in Prospect Park Monday, September 7 • Nature Exploration, 12–4 pm Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free Join the Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation. Discovery Pack, 12–4 pm: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with our new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. Bird Nerds Game Hour, 2–3 pm: Test your knowledge of birds in this fun, mildly competitive hour of puzzles, Bingo, card games, and more! Nature on the Go!, 3 pm: An Alliance Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can learn about the nature that is all around us and participate in a Citizen Science project.

Animal Encounter, 4 pm: Curious as to how Snappy the turtle got her name? Want to watch the snake gobble a mouse? Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection and even assist in an actual feeding. • Carousel Rides, 12-5 pm Children’s Corner, $2 per ride, $9 for a book of 5 tickets, free with Alliance Family Plus membership Celebrate the start of spring with a first ride of the year on the Park’s beloved 1912 carousel. Join the Alliance at the $125 level and your family (up to 4 people) will receive unlimited rides on the Carousel for a full year! • Race Around the Farm Yard, 2–4 pm Lefferts Historic House, $3 suggested donation Get out and get moving in the Lefferts yard! The whole family can participate in potato sack races, spoon races, stilts and other old fashioned games.

Coffee Bark Saturday, September 12, 7–9 am Long Meadow near Picnic House, Free Bring your pups to the Park for treats and great company. FIDO in Prospect Park offers free goodies for dogs and their owners as well as provides information pertaining to off-leash activities and issues.

7th Annual T.E.A.L. Walk/Run Saturday, September 12, 9 am–12 pm Prospect Park Bandshell, Advance registration required The T.E.A.L. Walk/Run celebrates the courage of ovarian cancer survivors and the strength of the families who’ve been touched by the disease, while spreading awareness to the general public and raising money for research. Since 2009, the T.E.A.L. Walk/Run has been 's largest National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Run/Walk, and has raised over $1 million for research and awareness programs.

Bones of an Old Dutch House Tour Sunday, September 13, 12–1 pm Lefferts Historic House, $10 suggested donation Examine the white oak timbers (the bones) of Lefferts Historic House and the many layers that were added, subtracted and changed over the past 230 years. Climb the staircase for a view of the attic's smokehouse and descend into the cellar for a look at the foundation. This event is for adults and teenagers, and is limited to 10 people. Reservations required: call (718)789-2822 ex. 304.

Food Truck Rally Sunday, September 20, 11 am–5 pm The Prospect Park Alliance and Dispatch NY present a sampling of cuisines from around the world from New York's best food trucks.

Harvest Festival Sunday, September 27, 1–4 pm Lefferts Historic House, $3 suggested donation Come celebrate this year's harvest at the Lefferts Historic House. Harvest, cook, and eat potatoes that were planted in our garden back in May. You can also challenge friends and family to potato sack races!

Ongoing Events

Prospect Park Alliance Eastside Revival Volunteer Corps Mondays, beginning September 14 & ending November 16, 10 am–2 pm Register online or call (718) 287-3400 for more information Join the Prospect Park Alliance to help beautify two of the Park’s most elegant locations: the Vale of Cashmere and the Rose Garden. Tasks may include raking, sweeping, path edging, and litter removal.

Greenmarket at Bartel-Pritchard Square Wednesdays, 8 am–3 pm Bartel-Pritchard Square Nestled inside Prospect Park's tree-shaded southwest corner, this much-loved weekday market is where South Slope and Windsor Terrace residents stock up on locally grown staples. The offerings range from a selection of vegetables, fruits, baked goods, plants, and flowers, to fresh- caught fish and organic baked goods. For a full calendar of events and a list of sellers, visit GrowNYC.

Prospect Park Alliance Thursday Volunteer Corps Thursdays, ending November 19, 10 am–2 pm Register online or call (718) 287-3400 for more information The Alliance’s Thursday volunteer corps perform a multitude of different projects throughout the Park. The group meets at a different location every week helping in a variety of landscape and horticultural projects. Regardless of physical ability, there's something for everyone to do.

Nature Exploration Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free Join the Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.

Thursdays + Fridays, ending October 30, 12–4 pm • Discovery Pack, 12–4 pm: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with our new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. • Bird Nerds Game Hour, 2–3 pm: Test your knowledge of birds in this fun, mildly competitive hour of puzzles, Bingo, card games, and more!

• Nature on the Go!, 3 pm: An Alliance Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can learn about the nature that is all around us and participate in a Citizen Science project. • Animal Encounter, 4 pm: Curious as to how Snappy the turtle got her name? Want to watch the snake gobble a mouse? Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection and even assist in an actual feeding. Saturdays + Sundays, 10 am–1 pm • Nature Play, 10–11 am: Join Alliance naturalists and learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and develop self-reliance, creativity and problem-solving skills through different outdoor play-based activities. • Discovery Pack, 10 am–12 pm: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with our new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. • Blooming Naturalists, 12–1 pm: So you think you are a Naturalist? Find out at the Audubon Center by learning how to identify birds and use binoculars and field guides. • Introduction to Bird Watching, Saturdays, 12–1 pm: Look! Up in the sky, it’s a bird! But what kind of bird is it? Join the Prospect Park Alliance to learn about the magnificent array of birds that call Prospect Park home. Led by the Brooklyn Bird Club.

Shape Up NYC: Cardio Sculpt Saturdays, ending November 14, 11 am-12 pm Prospect Park Audubon Center, Free Pump up your workout routine with this exercise class focusing on cardio and sculpting moves to help build endurance and strength.

Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza Saturdays, 8 am–4 pm Grand Army Plaza At what other market can you do all your food shopping, sample local wine and explore Brooklyn's favorite park? Established in 1989, the Grand Army Plaza greenmarket is the flagship Brooklyn market. EBT/Food Stamps and WIC & Senior FMNP coupons accepted year-round. For a full calendar of events and a list of sellers, visit GrowNYC.

Prospect Park Alliance Saturday Woodland Corps Saturdays, beginning September 12 & ending November 19, 10 am–2 pm Register online or call (718) 287-3400 for more information. Help the Alliance restore the woodlands with a team of dedicated volunteers committed to the ongoing care of the Park’s 250 acres of forest.

Greenmarket at Parkside Plaza Sundays, ending October 22, 8 am–4 pm Parkside and Ocean Avenue Located across from the southeast corner of Prospect Park, at Parkside and Ocean Aves, this Sunday market will feature six producers selling fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, milk, herbs, eggs, honey, meats, yarn, baked goods and more. In addition, the market features weekly

cooking demonstrations, free recipes and family friendly activities. For a full calendar of events and a list of sellers, visit GrowNYC.

Locations, Directions, and Hours

Children’s Corner Willink entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush Ave. and Empire Blvd. By subway: Q, S, or B run to Prospect Park Station. By bus: B16, B41, and B43

• Lefferts Historic House Admission: $3 suggested donation Hours: Thursdays–Sundays, 12–5 pm • Prospect Park Carousel • Admission: $2 per ride; $9 for a book of five tickets, unlimited rides with Prospect Park Alliance Family Plus membership. Hours: Thursdays–Sundays, 12–5 pm • Admission: Adults $8, Children (3 – 12) $5, Seniors (65+) $6. Children under 3 free. Hours: Daily, 10 am–5 pm: Weekends & Holidays, 10 am–5:30 pm

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Parkside and Ocean Avenue or Lincoln Road Entrance. Walk directly across the Drive and follow the path to Lakeside. By subway: Q, B and S to Prospect Park Station; Q train to Parkside Avenue station By bus: B12 or B16 to Parkside and Ocean Avenues, B 41 to Ocean Avenue Admission: $6/person weekdays; $8/person weekends Hours: The Splash Pad closes Monday, September 7. Visit our website for up-to-date hours and programming.

Prospect Park Audubon Center Enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Ave. or Flatbush Ave. & Empire Blvd. (Willink entrance) and follow the directional signs. By subway: Q, S, or B to Prospect Park Station. By bus: B16, B41, and B43 will bring you close to the Park's Willink entrance. Admission: Free Hours: Thursdays + Fridays, 12–5 pm; Weekends, 10 am-1 pm

Prospect Park Tennis Center Located at the Parade Ground, 50 Parkside Avenue at Coney Island Avenue By subway: F to Fort Hamilton Parkway station (exit at Greenwood/Prospect Ave.), Q to Parkside Avenue station By bus: B68 along Coney Island Avenue to Parkside Avenue Hours: 7 am–11 pm daily, advance reservations recommended

Programs and prices are subject to change. For up-to-date information, please visit our website.

Prospect Park is one of Brooklyn’s most treasured destinations and a national landmark. The Prospect Park Alliance is a nonprofit organization that partners with the City of New York to ensure the ongoing care and long-term stewardship of Prospect Park. The Alliance preserves the natural environment, restores historic design and provides public programs and amenities for the Park, which receives more than 10 million visits each year.

To learn more about ways to get involved, visit prospectpark.org.

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Press Contact: Grace McCreight, 718-965-8954/[email protected]