OutdoorsIN NEW YORK CITYJanuary/February/March 2018

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

Welcome to Outdoors in New York City

Urban Park Ranger FacilitiesPlease call specific locations for hours.

BRONXPelham Bay Ranger Station // (718) 319-7258Pelham Bay Park // Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue

Van Cortlandt Nature Center // (718) 548-0912Van Cortlandt Park // West 246th Street and Broadway

BROOKLYN Salt Marsh Nature Center // (718) 421-2021Marine Park // East 33rd Street and Avenue U

MANHATTANPayson Center // (212) 304-2277Inwood Hill Park // Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street

QUEENSAlley Pond Park Adventure Center (718) 217-6034 // (718) 217-4685Alley Pond Park // Enter at Winchester Boulevard, under the Grand Central Parkway

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

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

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

Outdoors in New York City is a quarterly newsletter that highlights activities and events from NYC Parks. This issue focuses on ways to stay active and enjoy our parks throughout the winter.

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 of the year you can stay active, healthy, and informed.

There are so many reasons to attend a Ranger program: Hiking in the winter won’t just help you warm up, it’s also a great way to find solitude or a quiet moment in our 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, icy shorefront with us!

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White-Tailed DeerWhite-tailed deer are an important part of New York State’s rich ecosystem and are greatly valued by many New Yorkers. These city dwellers can be found browsing in forested parks in Staten Island and The Bronx.

Saturday Jan. 28 // Living with White-tailed DeerGreenbelt Nature Center // 1:00 p.m.

Owls Leafl ess trees provide perfect viewing opportunities of some resident and migrating owl species. Eastern Screech Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Saw Whet Owls call our parks home for the winter. These birds of prey are most active at dusk while hunting for their next meal.

Sunday Feb. 11 // Birding: Owls Inwood Hill Park // 5:00 p.m.

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 Beach Nature Center,Section 2 of Orchard Beach

Nocturnal Wildlife As the sun sets earlier, many crepuscular and nocturnal animals come out sooner for your viewing pleasure. A quiet guided hike is the best way to try to locate these elusive creatures. Night herons, bats, and raccoons are just some of the creatures of the night that might appear in our parks.

Sunday, March 11 // Nocturnal Hike Flushing Meadows Corona Park // 7:00 p.m.

AstronomyThe colder winter clears the night sky of clouds and creates ideal conditions for stargazing.Meteors, constellations, planets, and the many phases of the moon will be visible through a telescope with a trained eye.

Sunday, Jan. 14 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Marine Park // 6:00 p.m.

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Winter Highlights

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

BRONX Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Van Cortlandt Park // 11:00 a.m.Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Street and Broadway

Saturday, Jan. 20 // Survival Series #1: Fire Making Skills Van Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Street and Broadway

Sunday, Jan. 28 // Birding: OwlsPelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Saturday, Feb. 3 // Survival Series #2: Shelter BuildingPelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 10 // Seal ExplorationPelham Bay Park // 2:00 p.m. Orchard Beach Nature Center, Section 2 of Orchard Beach

Saturday, Feb. 17 // Survival Series #3: Staying Found and Signaling for HelpVan Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Street and Broadway

Sunday, Feb. 18 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Pelham Bay Park // 6:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 24 // African-American History Month: The Birthplace of Hip HopCedar Playground // 1:00 p.m. West 179th Street between Cedar Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue

Sunday, March 4 // Hunter Island Night Hike Pelham Bay Park // 6:00 p.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Saturday, March 17 // Survival Series #4: The 10 Essentials Pelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m. Pelham Bay Nature Center, Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue

Sunday, March 18 // Living with Urban Coyotes Van Cortlandt Park // 1:00 p.m. Van Cortlandt Nature Center, West 246th Street and Broadway

Sunday, March 25 // Women’s History Month: Anne HutchinsonPelham Bay Park // 1:00 p.m.Meet at Pelham and Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road

BROOKLYN Monday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Prospect Park // 11:00 a.m.Prospect Park Audubon Center, East Drive and Lincoln Road

Sunday, Jan. 14 // Astronomy: The Night SkyMarine Park // 6:00 p.m. Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U

Sunday, Jan. 21 // Nature’s Workshop: Jewelry MakingMarine Park // 1:00 p.m. Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U

Saturday, Jan. 27 // Historic New York: Survival During the American RevolutionFort Greene Park // 1:00 p.m.Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park

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Saturday, Feb. 3 // African-American History Month: Bedford-StuyvesantHerbert Von King Park // 1:00 p.m. Clifton Place and Marcy Avenue

Sunday, Feb. 11 // Winter Landscape Photography Prospect Park // 1:00 p.m. Prospect Park Audubon Center, East Drive and Lincoln Road. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Saturday, Feb. 17 // Winter Tree ID Prospect Park // 11:00 a.m.Prospect Park Audubon Center, East Drive and Lincoln Road

Saturday, Feb. 24 // Nature’s Workshop: Natural Fibers Fort Greene Park // 1:00 p.m.Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park

Sunday, March 4 // Historic New York: Nature and Design Prospect Park // 1:00 p.m. Meet under the arch at Grand Army Plaza

Sunday, March 11 // Nature’s Workshop: Science DiscoveryMarine Park // 1:00 p.m.Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U

Sunday, March 18 // Women’s History Month: Gravesend Cemetery Tour Gravesend Cemetery // 11:00 a.m.Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, March 7.

Saturday, March 24 // Sounds of Nature Fort Greene Park 1:00 p.m. Fort Greene Visitor Center, Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park

MANHATTANMonday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Inwood Hill Park // 1:00 p.m.Isham Street and Seaman Avenue

Sunday, Jan. 14 // North Manhattan Parks Super Hike Inwood Hill Park // 11:00 a.m.Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Saturday, Jan. 20 // The New York City Naturalist Club: Eagle WatchInwood Hill Park // 9:00 a.m. Payson Center, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street

Sunday, Jan. 21 // Finding Your Way: Maps and CompassesCentral Park // 1:00 p.m. Dana Discovery Center, West 110th Street and Lenox Avenue

Saturday Jan. 27 // Winter Super HikeCentral Park // 11:00 a.m. Meet at East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 10 // Astronomy: The Night Sky Central Park // 7:00 p.m. Great Lawn, 85th Street, mid-Central Park

Sunday Feb. 11 // Birding: Owls Inwood Hill Park // 5:00 p.m. Payson Center, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street

Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: Seneca Village Central Park // 1:00 p.m. West 81st Street and Central Park West

Saturday, Feb. 18 // The New York City Naturalist Club: Manhattan Rocks! Fort Tryon Park // 1:00 p.m. Meet at Margaret Corbin Circle. One-way hike will end at Inwood Hill Park.

Saturday, March 10 // Outdoor Skills: Fire Making Inwood Hill Park // 1:00 p.m. Isham Street and Seaman Avenue

Sunday, March 11 // Historic New York: The High Bridge and the Croton Aqueduct Highbridge Park // 1:00 p.m. West 174th Street and Amsterdam Avenue

Saturday, March 31 // Women’s History Month: Influential Women Van TourCentral Park // 11:00 a.m.Meeting place TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday March 21.

6 Outdoors, Jan/Feb/March 2018Photos: NYC Parks

QUEENSMonday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Kissena Park // 1:00 p.m. Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue

Sunday, Jan. 14 // Birding: OwlsAlley Pond Park // 10:00 a.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Saturday, Jan. 20 // Birding: Winter WaterfowlBaisley Pond Park // 1:00 p.m.Meet at Parking Lot, Baisley Boulevard and 155th Street

Sunday, Jan. 21 // Nature’s Workshop: Nature Illustrations Forest Park // 1:00 p.m.Forest Park Visitor Center, Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive

Sunday, Jan. 28 // Stargazing Club: The Supermoon Rockaway Beach // 6:00 p.m. Meet at Beach 116th Street

Saturday, Feb. 10 // Night HikeForest Park // 6:00 p.m. Forest Park Visitor Center, Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive

Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: The Flushing Freedom Mile Daniel Carter Beard Square // 11:00 a.m. Meeting location TBA. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Sunday, Feb. 18 // Winter Wildlife ViewingCaptain Tilly Park// 11:00 a.m. Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue

Saturday, Feb. 24 // Stargazing Club: The Night Sky Fort Totten Park // 6:00 p.m. Fort Totten Park Visitor Center, 212th Street and Cross Island Parkway

Sunday, March 4 // Women’s History Month: Historic Women of QueensAlley Pond Park // 1:00 p.m.Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Winchester Boulevard, under the Grand Central Parkway

Sunday, March 11 // Nocturnal Hike Flushing Meadows Corona Park // 7:00 p.m. Mauro Playground Park Drive East and 73rd Terrace

Saturday, March 18 // Native American Games Captain Tilly Park // 11:00 a.m.Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue

Saturday, March 31 // Stargazing Club: The Blue Moon Alley Pond Park // 6:00 p.m. Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Winchester Boulevard, under the Grand Central Parkway

STATEN ISLANDMonday, Jan. 1 // New Year’s Day Hike Blue Heron Park // 11:00 a.m. Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave., between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

Sunday, Jan. 14 // Animal of the Month Club: Aquatic Rodents Historic Richmondtown // 11:00 a.m. Richmond Road and St. Patrick’s Place

Saturday, Jan. 20 // Astronomy: The Night Sky LaTourette Park // 6:00 p.m. Meet at parking lot at end of Alaska Place

Saturday, Jan. 27 // Animal of the Month Club: Aquatic Rodents Willowbrook Park // 11:00 a.m. Richmond Avenue and Eton Place

Sunday, Jan. 28 // Living with White-tailed Deer Greenbelt Nature Center // 1:00 p.m. Rockland Avenue and Brielle Avenue

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Saturday, Feb. 3 // Animal of the Month Club: Bald Eagles Lemon Creek Pier // 10:00 a.m.Hylan Boulevard and Sharrott Avenue

Sunday, Feb. 11 // Ranger’s Choice: Owls and Pellets Blue Heron Park // 1:00 p.m.Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave., between Amboy Road and Hylan Boulevard

Saturday, Feb. 17 // African-American History Month: Sandy GroundBloomingdale Park // 11:00 a.m.Meet at Playground at Ramona Avenue and Lenevar Avenue

Sunday, Feb. 18 // Animal of the Month Club: Bald EaglesConference House Park // 10:00 a.m.Conference House Visitor Center, Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard

Saturday, Feb. 24 // Outdoor Skills: Fire MakingClove Lakes Park // 11:00 a.m.Park Drive and Clove Road

Sunday, March 4 // Animal of the Month: Seals and Whales Conference House Park // 1:00 p.m.Conference House Visitor Center, Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard

Saturday, March 10 // Women’s History Month: Gretta Moulton High Rock Park // 11:00 a.m.Nevada Ave Parking Lot, park in lot at the end of Nevada Avenue

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

KIDS WEEKFEB. 19–23School’s out: Take the kids to a park and enjoy a variety of nature programs. Get outside and get excited!

MONDAY, FEB. 19 // 1:00 P.M.Bronx: Pelham Bay Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Center // Queens: Kissena Park // Staten Island: Bloomingdale Park

TUESDAY, FEB. 20 // 1:00 P.M.Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center, Fort Greene Visitor Center // Manhattan: Payson Center // Queens: Fort Totten Visitor Center // Staten Island: Allison Pond Park

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 // 1:00 P.M.Bronx: Crotona Park // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Center // Queens: Astoria Park // Staten Island: Corporal Thompson Park

THURSDAY, FEB. 22 // 1:00 P.M.Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center, Fort Greene Visitor Center //Manhattan: Payson Center // Queens: Linden Park // Staten Island: Blue Heron Nature Center

FRIDAY, FEB. 23 // 1:00 P.M.Bronx: Van Cortlandt Nature Center // Brooklyn: Salt Marsh Nature Center // Manhattan: Dana Discovery Center // Queens: Forest Park // Staten Island: Conference House Park

Winter Bingo: Signs of WildlifeThough 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