EVENTS
Free to the public, unless stated otherwise
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Park Pals: Exploring Wetlands at Floyd Bennett Field
Join us for Park Pals, a free early childhood family program for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers designed to foster curiosity, connection, and discovery in the park! Together we’ll explore the fascinating wetlands of Floyd Bennett Field, learning why these habitats are so important for both people and wildlife.
This month’s session introduces little ones to salt marshes, estuaries, and the amazing animals that call them home, from horseshoe crabs and fiddler crabs to ducks, egrets, herons, osprey, and the mussels and marsh grasses that help hold the shoreline together. Families will enjoy a range of hands-on activities, including a themed read-aloud, eco-crafts, a guided nature walk to our shoreline, and playful sensory exploration inspired by the wetlands’ creatures and sounds.
Come ready to get curious, move like a crab, flap like an osprey, and celebrate the wonderful wetlands of Jamaica Bay!
Park Pals: Mighty Menhaden
Join us for Park Pals, an early childhood family program for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers designed to inspire curiosity, exploration, and connection with nature at Floyd Bennett Field! This month, we’ll dive into the wonders of Jamaica Bay as we celebrate the mighty menhaden, a small but powerful fish that plays a big role in keeping our oceans and bays healthy. Sometimes called the “most important fish in the sea,” menhaden help clean the water and provide food for dolphins, ospreys, and many other animals.
Families will enjoy hands-on indoor activities to learn about these amazing fish, such as creating shimmering fish-scale collages, exploring sensory bins inspired by the sea, and listening to a fishy read-aloud that brings the underwater world to life. Then we’ll bundle up and head out for a short shoreline walk, where we’ll look for signs of fish life, explore shells and seaweed washed ashore, and imagine where menhaden might be swimming beneath the waves.
Park Pals: Signs of Spring
Join us for Park Pals, an early childhood family program for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers designed to inspire curiosity, exploration, and connection with nature at Floyd Bennett Field!
Spring has sprung at Jamaica Bay! In this session, we’ll become seasonal detectives, searching for the many signs of spring in the park, from budding trees and blooming flowers to buzzing pollinators and returning birds.
Our time together will include hands-on activities that celebrate the season of growth, such as making colorful leaf prints and flower crafts, listening to a springtime story, and exploring sensory play inspired by the sights and sounds of the season. Then we’ll take a guided walk to the shoreline and nearby fields, where we’ll look for early wildflowers, listen for bird calls, and see what other signs of spring we can discover.
Park Pals: Celebrating Earth Day!
Join us for Park Pals, an early childhood family program for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers designed to foster curiosity, connection, and care for the natural world at Floyd Bennett Field!
In celebration of Earth Day, we’ll explore what it means to take care of our planet through fun, hands-on activities that encourage even our youngest park stewards to make a difference. Together, we’ll enjoy a special Earth-themed storytime, create eco-friendly crafts using recycled and natural materials, and engage in simple, age-appropriate stewardship activities that help keep our park clean and beautiful. We’ll also take a walk to our shoreline, where we’ll look for signs of spring growth, talk about how we can protect the habitats that wildlife call home, and celebrate the many ways we can love our Earth every day.
Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling with NYC Parks
Winter is here! Join NYC Parks Rangers in celebration of the shortest day of the year and the slow approach of spring. Enjoy an evening of storytelling at Marine Park’s Salt Marsh Nature Center, to help pass the cold winter night.
Free! Registration not required.
Waiting for Winter: Arts and Crafts
With the winter solstice around the corner, come learn about this season and create and decorate your snowflakes!
A short walk with a park ranger will follow after the craft, weather depending. All ages are welcomed.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association — Supermoon Thursday
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association — Supermoon Wednesday
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Park Pals Pop-Up: Pollinators of Floyd Bennett Field
Join JBRPC for a Park Pals Pop-up at Floyd Bennett Field!
Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. Our Fall pop-up series focuses on the special pollinators of Jamaica Bay and the unique coastal habitats where they can be found. We’ll explore and identify native pollinators like monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and cabbage moths, and their favorite snacks like milkweed, seaside goldenrod, and black-eyed susans. We’ll also enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the park. Miss Butterfly will guide us on a short walk and have a butterfly release to celebrate the importance of pollinators.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association — Supermoon Tuesday
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Park Pals Pop Up: Pollinators of Marine Park
Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and Marine Park Alliance for Park Pals Pop-Up at the Carro Center in Marine Park on Saturday, 9/27!
Park Pals is a fun and engaging early childhood program designed for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. This Fall, we’ll explore the fascinating world of pollinators and the coastal habitats they call home. Through hands-on science activities, sensory play, a storytime read-aloud, and a nature walk, little ones will learn about native species like monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and cabbage moths, and the plants they love, including milkweed, seaside goldenrod, and black-eyed Susans. This special pop-up session brings the joy of outdoor discovery to families while sparking curiosity about urban wildlife and the natural wonders of Jamaica Bay.
Registration is required for the event!
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay
Join us for the 20th Annual Shorebird Festival!
August is the perfect time to explore the diversity of New York City’s shorebirds. The Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay is a partnership among Gateway National Recreation Area, American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Bird Alliance, and NYC Plover Project. Join us in learning all about these beautiful birds and explore the natural habitat of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, filled with marshland, fresh and brackish water ponds, and grassy fields.
Meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This festival is kid-friendly and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Jamaica Bay Festival
The Jamaica Bay Festival is a free, fun, family event taking place in Brooklyn and Queens. The Festival celebrates those who share our vision to champion the spirit of the Jamaica Bay community, the unparalleled opportunities and the natural beauty of this urban tidal estuary. Participants can enjoy free kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, bird watching, art, nature and more.
Learn more about the opportunities available at this year’s 8th annual event here.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Horseshoe Crab Festival
Join JBRPC, American Littoral Society, NYC Bird Alliance, NYC Parks and the National Park Service for the Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival!
Attendees will meet at Broad Channel American Park to see Horseshoe Crabs on the shoreline and learn about their ecological and medicinal importance! Horseshoe crabs, nicknamed “living fossils,” come ashore around Jamaica Bay this time of year to lay millions of eggs.
Accessibility and Directions:
Broad Channel American Park is accessible by the Q21 bus. The Q52-SBS and Q53-SBS buses are also located a short distance away. This event involves being on the beach and potentially in knee-length water.
This event is free, and ideal for nature-lovers of all ages. No registration or reservation required.
Park Pals: May Flowers
Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on 5/10! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.
The May session will focus on the spring flowers of Jamaica Bay and their important role in the ecosystem and food chain of Jamaica Bay. What are the parts of a flower? How does a flower go from a seed to a bloom? Which of our animal friends like to eat from flowers? We’ll explore these questions through themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a flower exploration walk in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.
Run the Runways: Floyd Bennett Field’s Birthday Bash!
Celebrate New York City's first municipal airport with a day of fun, movement, and adventure! Lace-up your sneakers and join us for a fun run across the same historic airstrips where aviation legends once soared. After the run, keep the party going with an afternoon of music, games and creativity. Come run, dance, explore, and celebrate the legacy of this park while making new memories with family and friends.
Event Highlights:
Fun Run on Historic Runways – Join us for a 2 mile walk, jog, or run.
DJ Dance Party – Celebrate with music, movement, and high-energy fun!
Community Artwork – Help us decorate a giant birthday card for Floyd Bennett Field and add your creativity to a collaborative masterpiece.
Scavenger Hunts – Search for clues inside Hangar B exhibits and explore the park's rich collection of historic aircraft!
Kid’s Craft: Make Your Own Airplane Wings – Let little aviators create and soar across the lawn with DIY Wings!
Lawn Games & Picnic Space – Bring your picnic, play classic games, and enjoy the fresh spring air.
Circuit shuttles to Hangar B
Hop on a free Circuit shuttle to Hangar B to see the remarkably restored historic aircraft. Hop back on the shuttle when you are finished to return to the main event.
*Online registration for the Fun Run is closed, but additional runners and walkers are welcome to register in-person tomorrow.
Need a ride to the event? Consider catching a ride with Circuit.
Morning and early afternoon look sunny, with rain coming after the event ends!
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Park Pals Pop-up: Signs of Spring at Rockaway Beach
Join JBRPC for a special Spring Break Park Pals at Rockaway Beach on 4/18! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers. Join us at Arverne East Nature Preserve to learn about observable signs of spring, such as blooming flowers, migratory beach-nesting birds, and longer days. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a scavenger hunt in the nature preserve.
Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on May 10th.
CANCELLED — Park Pals: Signs of Spring
Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on April 12th! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.
The April session will focus on the special signs of spring at Jamaica Bay, such as blooming flowers, the return of migrating birds, and the re-emergence of hibernating animals such as terrapin turtles. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a spring scavenger hunt in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.
Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on May 10th.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Jamaica Bay Junior Ranger Birding Walk
Calling all Junior Rangers! Explore the trails of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and learn about birds with a park ranger.
The program will be followed by a special Junior Ranger “swearing-in” ceremony.
This program is recommended for ages 6-10 but Junior Rangers of all ages and their families are welcome to join. Binoculars will be provided.
No reservation or registration is required.
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Story time at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus, but let him read to you!
Join a National Park Service ranger for storytime and then create your own pigeon out of construction paper.
Materials for arts and crafts will be provided. No reservation or registration is required.
Park Pals: Good Night, Good Morning - Nocturnal Animals
Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on March 8th! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.
In light of the upcoming equinox, when day and night become the same length, we will learn about nocturnal animals at Jamaica Bay, such as bats, owls, moths, and horseshoe crabs. Where do they live and what do they eat? How do they get around in the dark? We’ll explore these questions through themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.
Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on April 12th.
Winter Birding at Floyd Bennett Field with Heydi Lopes
Join NYC Bird Alliance at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers.
The group will meet at the Ryan Visitor Center
Note on Accessibility:
This area contains paved and unpaved paths. Parking is available right near the meeting location. For more details of directions to Floyd Bennett Field, visit the National Park Service's website.
Stargazing with Amateur Astronomers Association
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public! Note: all events are 30 minutes after sunset. To calculate sunset, click here.
Floyd Bennett Field is part of Gateway National Park, Brooklyn. NOTE: Events are cancelled in the event of rain/snow, if sky is overcast, or if there is snow covering the ground.
The observing location at Floyd Bennett Field is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars. This location is also easy for people to find in the dark, as it is next to the Community Garden.
Storytime / Arts and Crafts: Cardinals
Learn about Winter’s most iconic bird: the cardinal! This event for kids and families will include a read-along of a book about cardinals, followed by an opportunity for children to create their very own cardinal with fingerpainting. This will be a fully indoor activity, with materials provided.
More information on the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and how to get there, is available here.
Plant Pressing and Zine Workshop
Join rangers from the National Park Service, local artist Samsam Graves and Gotham Taxidermy’s Divya Anantharaman for a free art workshop. Plant pressing is a method for preserving plants by flattening and drying them between sheets of paper.
Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own flowers and other materials as well.
More information on the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and how to get there, is available here.
Park Pals: Cozy Critters
Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals on February 8th! Park Pals is an early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, every 2nd Saturday from January to May.
This month, we will explore how animals stay warm and cozy through the winter at Jamaica Bay, including wintering waterfowl paddling through icy waters, birds and butterflies migrating south, and the special fur and feathers of our animal friends who stay behind. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the refuge led by a Park Ranger.
Each Park Pals session will have a different theme and activities. The next Park Pals will be held on March 8th.