Riverside Park Conservancy

Moon Gazing
2025-04-13 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | W 145th Street Lawn, New York
Join nature photographer Jeanne Yan and amateur astronomers for this moongazing and night photography demonstration! Meet at the Moonfinding sculpture for a close-up view of the full moon. This event is part of the Art Students League of New Yorks Works in Public program, and features an opportunity to meet artists Patricia Espinosa and Malin Abrahamsson.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event. Access to the 145th Street lawn via Riverbank State Park is currently closed. Guests should enter the Park at 148th Street and Riverside Drive, or via the Denny Farrell Pedestrian Bridge at 151st Street (accessible).

Volunteer at the Compost Compound!
2025-04-14 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-28 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 95th Street Compost Compound
Join us in supporting our Sustainability Team with compost processing and gardening work at the 95th Street Compost Compound!
The compost that is currently in progress at our site is created right here in Riverside Park. We utilize machinery for the composting work, and when the compost is ready it will be applied to soil in the Park, thus retaining nutrients from the debris that enters the site and closing the loop.
For existing volunteers: Please sign up through the Grassroots Volunteer Portal.
For new volunteers: Please email grassroots@riversideparknyc.org for information about how to get involved.

This event is not suitable for corporate groups! If you are a corporate group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

About the 95th Street Compost Compound
Our state-of-the-art Compost Compound is the processing center for debris and materials produced in the process of maintaining Riverside Parks landscape. Conservancy staff use the Compost Compound to drop off woody debris, leaves, weeds, and invasive plants that they have removed from other areas of the Park. We then process these materials on-site by composting. The compost is then incorporated back into the Parks soil. By retaining all of the weeds, twigs, and branches and composting them, we are closing the loop. The Compost Compound successfully diverts hundreds of cubic yards of plant material from ending up in a landfill and reduces the need for carting ' thereby reducing emissions involved in transporting the material off site.

Riverside Park Horticulture Tour
2025-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House, NY
Join the Director of Horticulture at the Riverside Park Conservancy to see whats in bloom, discuss special topics in urban horticulture, and ask questions about the plants you see in Riverside.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

Shape Up NYC Bodyweight Blast
2025-04-15 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-22 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-04-29 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | 102nd Street Field House, 102nd Street Field House
Shape Up NYC, a NYC Parks program in partnership with NYC Service, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation) offers free fitness classes to help New Yorkers get and stay fit.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

Field House Mat Pilates
2025-04-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-04-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-04-29 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | 102nd Street Field House, 102nd Street Field House
Join Sweet Water Dance & Yoga for Mat Pilates, a strengthening and lengthening exercise that focuses on conditioning your core muscles while also training your arms and legs. This class incorporates key Pilates principles such as postural alignment, breathing, strength, controlled movement and flexibility. This class is perfect for beginners but intermediate and advanced movers will also benefit.
Bring your own mat. This event takes place in the newly-renovated 102nd Street Field House. Enter the Park at 102nd Street and Riverside Drive, then descend to the promenade level. The stairs to the Field House are across the promenade at 102nd Street.

Volunteer in the Sweet Spot!
2025-04-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-30 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Volunteer in the sweet spot of Riverside Park between 72nd and 96th Streets!
This historic section of the park is home to majestic monuments, beautiful native plant gardens, hidden forests, and lovely river views. Well be working across this part of the park in various gardens and woodland areas doing weeding, mulching, pruning, and ecological restoration.
Meeting location will rotate between Hippo Playground and River Run Playground.
For existing volunteers: Please sign up through the Grassroots Volunteer Portal.
For new volunteers: Please email grassroots@riversideparknyc.org for information about how to get involved.
This project is not suitable for corporate groups! If you are a corporate group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

Volunteer at Sakura Park!
2025-04-16 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-30 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Sakura Park, Sakura Park, NY
Join us as we steward the gardens in Sakura Park!
Sakura Park is a beautiful area full of cherry trees and serene views. Were excited to partner you with our longtime gardener, Winston Johnson, to steward and show love to this area of Morningside Heights.
You will be gardening in Sakura Park and Claremont (across the street). Gardening can include weeding, raking, shoveling, pruning, and other laborious work. Please dress comfortably with closed toe shoes and clothes that you dont mind getting dirty.
This project is not suitable for corporate or school groups! If you are a corporate or school group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

Spring Yoga in the Field House
2025-04-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-04-23 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | 102nd Street Field House, 102nd Street Field House
Join Yoga instructor Meg SantaMaria for a morning practice. Suitable for all fitness levels. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.
This event takes place in the newly-renovated 102nd Street Field House. Enter the Park at 102nd Street and Riverside Drive, then descend to the promenade level. The stairs to the Field House are across the promenade at 102nd Street.

Forest Bathing for Children
2025-04-17 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | River Run Playground, River Run Playground
Children naturally have a deep connection to nature and the outdoors. On this guided walk, Lori Klamner, a Certified Forest Therapy Guide specializing in Urban Park, will help participants become more centered, inquisitive, and creative while appreciating the wonders of the land. The location features stunning rock formations, towering trees, wintering flower beds, and the mighty Hudson River.
The program includes a short, no more than a half-mile walk at a slow pace. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water, snacks, and a towel or cushion for sitting on the ground.
The event starts at 10:00 ' 11:30 am. Meet up in front of RiverRun Playground.

Volunteer in South Park!
2025-04-18 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-04-25 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | W 68th Street & Riverside Blvd, W 68th Street & Riverside Blvd
Work together with our gardeners to maintain select areas of South Park! We will be primarily doing weeding and general horticultural maintenance.
Please meet at the park entrance at 68th Street & Riverside Blvd.
For existing volunteers: Please sign up through the Grassroots Volunteer Portal.
For new volunteers: Please email grassroots@riversideparknyc.org for information about how to get involved.
This event is not suitable for corporate groups! If you are a corporate group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

Over, Under, Through
2025-04-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Parkour Park, Parkour Park
Join The Movement Creative for a 6-week series to learn the basics of parkour. Build your strength, agility, coordination, and mobility with fun drills, partner exercises, and games to learn jumping, vaulting, swinging, and how to put it all together. Have a blast while getting strong!

Island Vibes: Restoring the Riverside Drive Islands
2025-04-24 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | West 110th St & Riverside Drive, West 110th St & Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10025
Help us show some love to these beautiful green spaces along Riverside Drive between 97th St and 1165th St! We will be focusing on weeding and trash removal. Location will rotate primarily between 99th St & 110th St; exact location will be shared upon signup.
For existing volunteers: Please sign up through the Grassroots Volunteer Portal.
For new volunteers: Please email grassroots@riversideparknyc.org for information about how to get involved.
This project is not suitable for corporate groups! If you are a corporate group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

Sowing Seeds of Change: Public Talk at Riverside Park Field House
2025-04-24 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 102nd Street Field House, 102nd Street Field House
~Art by Oliver Lopez~
Presented by: Coro J-A Juanena, PhD
Prof. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain)
Coord. Center for Postcolonial Studies, KOIZ (Basque Country)
This session is designed to spark reflection on how parks can be used as spaces for intergenerational learning, environmental activism, and well-being. By exchanging experiences and best practices, we can find new ways to strengthen the role of urban parks in New York as hubs for ecological awareness and community engagement.
In this talk, Professor Coro J-A Juanena, PhD will be sharing inspiring stories and practical strategies from European urban parks that have successfully integrated environmental education into their daily life, with a particular focus on initiatives that engage older adults as key actors in the learning process.
This event will be interactive, encouraging participants to share their thoughts, memories, and experiences with nature in urban parks. A combination of storytelling, visual presentations, and open discussions will make the session engaging and accessible for all. Participants will also be invited to explore simple ways they can contribute to environmental awareness in their own parks and neighborhoods.
Urban parks are not just green spaces; they are living classrooms where people of all ages connect with nature, culture, and community. As cities grow and environmental concerns become more pressing, parks play a crucial role in fostering awareness, resilience, and a sense of collective responsibility towards nature.
Coro J-A Juanena, PhD is a Professor at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain) and our speaker for the event. Dr. Juanenas unique European educational experience and practical strategies, along with inspiring stories, will enrich our communitys engagement with nature.
Register for the event here.

Riverside Park Birding Club
2025-04-26 09:00 - 10:30 UTC | W 116th Street & Riverside Drive, W 116th Street & Riverside Drive, New York, United States
Monthly walks through birding hotspots in Riverside Park, led by Riverside Park Conservancy Field Staff. Learn and build a birding community! Open to birders of all ages and experience. Meet at 116th Street and Riverside Drive.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

Gardening at Ralph Ellison Memorial
2025-04-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | W 150th Street & Riverside Drive, W 150th Street & Riverside Drive, NY
Join us as we steward the garden beds at the Ralph Ellison Memorial!
During this event, well be working together to clean up the park, weed out introduced species, and remove woody debris. Its a great opportunity to meet new people, enjoy the outdoors, and contribute to the well-being of our community.
No prior experience is necessary ' just bring your energy and enthusiasm! Well provide all the necessary tools and equipment. Dont forget to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
RSVP at the Eventbrite here.

It's My Park Day: Spring Edition
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Its My Park Day is a biannual event where we come together to celebrate and take care of our beloved ParkTender gardens. Our ParkTenders steward various landscaped areas throughout the Park, some with one season of stewardship under their belts and some with decades of dedication to their gardens.
During the spring edition of Its My Park Day, our ParkTenders and field staff work together to take care of spring planting needs.
If you are a Grassroots Volunteer and are interested in helping out with planting on Its My Park Day, please sign up on the Grassroots Volunteer Portal.
New volunteers, please email grassroots@riversideparknyc.org for information about how to get involved.
This event is not suitable for corporate groups! If you are a corporate group, please email caroline@riversideparknyc.org to set up a project.

Spring 2025 Overlook Concerts
2025-04-27 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 116th Street Overlook, 116th Street Overlook, NY
Riverside Park Conservancy and our generous supporters present the Spring 2025 edition of Charlotte Mayersons Overlook Concert series, featuring talent from The Manhattan School of Musics Center for Career Readiness & Community Impact, the Bloomingdale School of Music, and French Cookin Blues Band.
April 27: A Brass Ensemble from Manhattan School of Music ' A glorious sound floats over the park as these student musicians play traditional and contemporary music.
May 11: Latin Jazz with the Bloomingdale School of Music ' A faculty ensemble from the Bloomingdale School of Music presents a jazz trio with a Latin flair.
May 18: French Cookin Blues ' This Blues Hall of Fame band plays authentic Blues from around the country for a special New York sound.
