Mom in the City

 

 

FREE Family Activities – Nature Centers

Beaches & Pools

Bike Trails

Bookstores

Gardens & Zoos

Libraries

Miscellaneous

Museums

Nature Centers

Parks & Playgrounds

Sports

 

 

New York City parks have ten Urban Park Ranger Nature Centers. Each is an in-park community center for public education, recreational activities and environmental studies. The centers also hand out The RedTailer, a newsletter that lists their walks, tours, and special events.  For more information,  visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/urban_park_rangers/pd_ur_nature_centers.html

The Urban Park Rangers also give free nature tours year-round in all five boroughs.  For more information, go to the Urban Park Rangers page:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/urban_park_rangers/pd_ur.html

 

Bronx
Pelham Bay Nature Center
718-885-3467
Sun-Thurs, 10am to 4 pm (winter)
Pelham Bay Park, Bruckner Blvd. and Wilkinson Avenue
The center is a red brick building about 100 yards inside the park.

Crotona Park
718-378-2061
Tues-Sun 9am to 5pm (summer), Tues-Sat 9am to 5pm (winter)
Park at Crotona Park East & Charlotte Street.

Van Cortlandt Nature Center
718-548-0912
All week 9am-5pm (summer), Wed-Sun 10am-4pm (winter)
Van Cortlandt Park, 246th Street and Broadway

Orchard Beach Nature Center
718-885-3466
Summer Hours May through Sept. 1 (Labor Day): Thursday through Tuesday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Orchard Beach, Section 2 of the Beach

Brooklyn
The Salt Marsh Nature Center
718-421-2021
Every Day from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.
Marine Park

Manhattan                                                            
Inwood Hill Nature Center
212-304-2365
Wed-Sun 11am-4pm
Located in Inwood Park at 218th and Indian Road

Belvedere Castle Visitor Center
212-628-2345
Tues-Sun 10am-4:30pm
Located in Central Park at W. 81st St and the West Drive

Dana Discovery Center
212- 860-1370
Located in Central Park near 110th St. & Lenox Ave.

Queens
Alley Pond Nature Center
Alley Pond Park
Phone: 718-217-6034 or 718-846-2731
Fax: 718-217-6598
Summer Hours: Open Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM

Forest Park Nature/Visitor Center
Forest Park
718-846-2731 (phone and fax)
Summer Hours: Sunday 10 AM- 4 PM


Staten Island
Blue Heron Nature Center
718-967-3542
Tues-Sun 11am-4pm
Blue Heron Park, 222 Poillon Avenue between Amboy Road and Hylan Blvd

The High Rock Nature Center
718-667-6042
Various times