APRIL 2003 URBAN PARK RANGER EXPLORER PROGRAMS

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 BRONX Amazing Flotilla, Cement Plant Park 12:30-4:30 PM Canoe River with the Rangers and the Bronx River Alliance while learning about the exciting work going on along the river. Enjoy live musical performances, games and prizes. Please call the Bronx River Alliance for reservations at 718-430-4665.

Worm-box Composting, Crotona Park 1 PM Learn how to compost your garden scraps indoors using worms!

BROOKLYN Hike Gerritsen Mill, Marine Park 3 PM Take an informative walk on the wild side of the creek with a Ranger. Meet at the Salt Marsh Nature Center.

MANHATTAN Explore The Little Red Lighthouse, Fort Washington Park Come see the very proud hero of the children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. Climb up to the top, see what the lighthouse sees, and feel the power of the story that made it famous. Reservations required, please call 1-866-NYC-HAWK on March 21, 10 AM – 12 noon.

QUEENS Origami, Alley Pond Park 1 PM Learn the ancient art of origami while saving the planet. By using recycled paper to make origami we conserve a natural resource, trees, and reduce garbage production. Great for all ages!

STATEN ISLAND Walk the Dog, Clove Lakes Park 11 AM On this day there will be more than one bark in the park. Bring your dog into the great outdoors to meet new friends. Leashes required. Meet at the Clove Road parking lot.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 BRONX Hike the Siwanoy Trail, 1 PM The grounds of the Bartow Pell Mansion are exquisite. Join the Rangers as they explore the historic house and the trails that lead up to it.

MANHATTAN Nature Springs Forth, Central Park 1 PM The bad news: your lovely new scarf won’t hang around your neck for several more months. The good news: your lovely new scarf won’t hang around your neck for another year! The long cold winter is over. Spring has sprung and it is time to revel in the return of warm weather with a Ranger guided tour of the Hallet Nature Sanctuary. Meet at the Dairy at 1 PM (mid-park at 65th Street).

QUEENS Nature Photography Hike, Forest Park 12 noon Bring your walking shoes, your camera and your love of nature. Whether you are a naturalist or a photographer, come along on a guided hike with the Rangers and discover the beauty of Forest Park and while discovering the beauty take some great pictures.

STATEN ISLAND Fishing, Willowbrook Park 1 PM Cast out into the water and test your luck on catching the big one. Poles and bait are provided, catch and release only. Meet at the Elton Place parking lot.

MONDAY, APRIL 7 BROOKLYN Brooklyn Celebrates Baseball Extravaganza, Marine Park 7 PM Who’s on first?! You’ll find out if you join the Rangers for an exciting night of Brooklyn Baseball. Held at the Salt Marsh Nature Center

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 MANHATTAN Open Mic Night, Inwood Hill Park 7 PM Bring your talents to share on the microphone or sit and enjoy an evening of music, poetry and performances of all kinds. Meet at the Inwood Hill Nature Center.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 BRONX Hike the John Muir Trail, Van Cortlandt Park 1 PM The only east-west trail in Van Cortlandt Park, the John Muir Trail was built by the Rangers, the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and dedicated volunteers. Come explore the North Woods of Van Cortlandt Park as we hike and discover its beauties. Meet at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center.

Canoe Indian Lake, Crotona Park 1 PM Get a taste of canoeing with short trips around the lake. Space is limited; ages 8 and up. All participants must wear the provided life preservers.

QUEENS Orienteering, Alley Pond Park 1 PM Use a compass to explore 634 acres of Hickory and Oak Forest. Rangers will teach you how to use a compass and the skill of orienteering. We provide the compasses and all you have to bring is your adventurous side. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

STATEN ISLAND Explore Natural Succession at the Marsh, Mariners Marsh Park 11 AM Once devoted to industry, Mariners Marsh has been reclaimed by nature. Explore the ruins with the Rangers and discover the new life thriving there. Meet at Holland Avenue and Richmond Terrace.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 BRONX Raptors of the Landfill, Pelham Bay Park 9 AM Morning’s the best time for spotting birds, even birds of prey! Help us find these amazing predators as they hunt at the landfill, and learn about their biology and behavior. Meet at the Pelham Bay Nature Center.

BROOKLYN Saltwater Fishing, Marine Park 2 PM Come out and try your hand at the catch of the day while learning the basics of saltwater fishing. What lies beneath might could end up on your dinner plate!

MANHATTAN Spring Sonnets at the Shakespeare Garden, Central Park 1 PM “From you have I been absent in the spring, when proud-pied April dressed in all his trim. Hath put a spirit of youth in everything, that heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him...” (from Sonnet XCVIII). Come on down to Belvedere Castle at 1 PM and hear the rest of this sonnet and many more. The event will also include a tour of Shakespeare Garden.

Cooking for Camping, Inwood Hill Park 3 -5 PM Become a backwoods gourmet by learning how to cook delicious food on the trail. This is part of our on-going series held at the Inwood Hill Nature Center. Newcomers are always welcome.

QUEENS Investigate Insects, Forest Park 12 noon Discover a world so interesting we guarantee you will return to the park on your own to see what insects you might come across. Learn how to identify an insect and which species live in our parks.

STATEN ISLAND Early Birding, Clove Lakes Park 8 AM Do you know what’s quicker, a widgeon or a flicker? Come along on this informative ornithology program about Staten Island’s feathered residents. Bring binoculars. Meet in the parking lot at Clove Road.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 BRONX Easter Eggstravaganza, Van Cortlandt Park 12 - 4 PM Come participate in all the fun of Easter this year in the Bronx at the Van Cortlandt House.

Easter Festival, Crotona Park 2 PM For the second year in a row you can celebrate the holiday with a hunt for eggs, egg dyeing, seed planting, and more!

BROOKLYN Easter Egg Hunt, Marine Park 1 PM Join the Rangers in their search for the elusive Easter Bunny by following the Easter egg clues left behind. Meet at the Salt Marsh Nature Center.

MANHATTAN Easter Eggstravaganza, Central Park Enjoy games, nature activities, performances and more at this annual mega-event held mid-park at 72nd Street.

QUEENS Hike at Night, Alley Pond Park 7:30 PM Did you know that more than a third of the inhabitants of Forest Park reveal themselves when the sun goes down? Join the Rangers for a discovery night hike to see what creatures live in our parks at night. Meet at the Alley Pond Nature Center.

STATEN ISLAND Travelers Trek, High Rock Park 11 AM The first trek in our Adventure hiking series. Not for the faint of heart. Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20 BRONX Saltwater Fishing, Pelham Bay Park 10 AM teems with life- try pitting your skill against the fish! Meet at the Orchard Beach Nature Center.

QUEENS Birding, Forest Park 12 noon Hawks, owls and songbirds are just a sampling of what can be discovered in the trees of Forest Park. If you are a bird enthusiast, a hiker or just a nature lover we welcome you to join the Rangers for a guided bird tour. Binoculars and bird guides provided. Meet at the Forest Park Nature Center.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 BROOKLYN Tash Brothers Band, Marine Park 7 PM Join us for an evening of Blues with this jammin’ trio. Held at the Salt Marsh Nature Center. BRONX Earth Day, Van Cortlandt Park 12 - 5 PM Come celebrate the earth with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and the Rangers at the Van Cortlandt Park parade grounds.

Earth Day, Crotona Park 1 PM We are planting a butterfly garden. Come help us plant shrubs and flowers that will attract butterflies to the park!

MANHATTAN Earth Day, Central Park 12 – 4 PM Celebrate the Earth! Show nature how much you care; join the Urban Park Rangers for a daylong celebration honoring our home planet. The place is the Great Hill (enter at 106th Street and Central Park West and up the stairs), the time is 12 noon - 4 PM.

Examine the Night Sky, Inwood Hill Park 8 PM Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Join us to find out the answer and more. Meet at the Inwood Hill Nature Center, and bring a telescope if you have one.

QUEENS Hike at Night, Alley Pond Park 7:30 PM Did you know that more than a third of the inhabitants of Alley Pond Park reveal themselves when the sun goes down? Join the Rangers for a discovery night hike to see what lives in our parks at night. Meet at the Alley Pond Nature Center.

STATEN ISLAND Wildlife Viewing, William T. Davis Refuge 11 AM Long forgotten animals have returned to City as we learn how to share their habitat. Walk with a Ranger along the trails of this protected land and catch a glimpse of these animals that have made Staten Island their home. Meet at the intersection of Mulberry Avenue and Travis Avenue.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 BRONX Earth Day, Pelham Bay Park 10 AM The largest Earth Day Celebration in the Bronx, full of exciting activities in honor of Mother Earth. The Urban Park Rangers will conduct tours of the park throughout the day. Fun for the whole family!

MANHATTAN Rock Climbing, Inwood Hill Park Learn how to scale large boulders and the art of rock scrambling. Meet in the Nature Center. Reservations required, please call 1-866-NYC-HAWK on April 18, 10 AM – 12 noon.

QUEENS Hike Native American Pathways, Alley Pond Park 12 noon Walk the paths of the Native Americans that once inhabited this area. Who were these people? What plants and animals did they find edible in the forest? How did they treat the symptoms of illness? What kind of games did they play? Learn the answers to these questions as we explore the Native Americans of Alley Pond Park.