EVENTS
Free to the public, unless stated otherwise
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Featured Events:
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Silent Disco: Marine Park
Grab a set of wireless headphones and dance to your own beat! This is a fun party for all ages where you can individually tune-in to the channel of your choice, while dancing with others. Sound Off Experience DJs will curate some amazing music making you want to bust out all your favorite moves.
This event is FREE and open to all ages of the public. A form of I.D. is required to exchange for headphones.
Horseshoe Crab Festival
Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, NYC Bird Alliance, Plover Project, NYC Parks and the National Park Service for the Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival!
Attendees will meet at Sunset Cove Park (next to American Ballfields 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.
This event is jointly produced and presented by Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Bird Alliance, American Littoral Society, the National Park Service, NYC Plover Project and NYC Parks.
Hangar B Tour with National Park Service
Discover Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history and explore restored aircrafts on a ranger-led tour of a historic airplane hangar.
Afterwards, visitors can explore the hangar on their own and see what projects the Hangar B Restoration Project (HARP) volunteers are working on.
Black Birders Week: Beginner Birding at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Join New York State Park staff for a guided birding session where they’ll teach you everything you need to get started!
Come birdwatching with the NYC Bird Alliance, park educators, and other bird enthusiasts to discover the incredible birds at Shirley Chisholm State Park.
Binoculars and ID guides will be provided to borrow for the duration of the hike.
This program is free! All ages are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants will meet at Hendrix Creek Patio, near the Penn Entrance parking lot. Please wear comfortable shoes for gravel trails, and bring enough water to stay hydrated during this outing.
Black Birders Week: Sunset Bird Hike at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Join New York State Parks educators and NYC Bird Alliance to discover the joys of urban birding as the sun sets behind the Manhattan skyline!
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
World Fish Migration Day Seining at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Help us catch, count, and record fish species and wildlife that thrive along the shores of the Penn Water Access Area!
Join the Education Team on Saturday, May 30th from 10am to 12pm for a morning of seining! Together we'll discover the incredible wildlife that call these shores home.
This program is free! All supplies are provided.
All ages are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
This program is fully outdoors. Please wear shoes you don't mind getting wet or muddy.
We will meet at the Penn Water Access Area. Note: The PWAA is roughly a 10 minute walk from the parking lot along a flat, gravel trail.
Don't forget to pack water, sun screen, and whatever else you need to be comfortable outside on the trails.
Learn to Fish Clinic, with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) I FISH NY program is excited to offer an engaging recreational experience, connecting state residents with their local natural resources through fishing.
DEC provides all the necessary instruction, equipment, and bait for a fishing experience. Visit the DEC Free Learn To Fish Clinics webpage for more information about this and other free fishing events.
Stop by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy table to learn about our upcoming recreation, ecology, and family programs like this one and more!
Turtle Count Community Science Program at Marine Park
Join Marine Park Alliance to learn how you can use binoculars to help out with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s volunteer diamondback terrapin headcount surveys.
Birding: Shorebird Families with Urban Park Rangers
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see migratory birds. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Learn more about plovers, terns, oystercatchers and other shorebirds that nest on the beach shoreline.
Floyd Bennett Field Bike Tour
Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service for a unique biking tour through the past, present, and future of New York City’s first municipal airport—now part of Gateway National Recreation Area and one of the city’s most extraordinary natural and historic landscapes. This guided ride will take you across some of Floyd Bennett Field’s vast runways and hidden trails, highlighting its aviation history, important natural areas that provide critical habitat for birds and other wildlife, ongoing restoration efforts, and the careful stewardship that helps protect this special place.
The tour begins at the Ryan Visitor Center, where participants will be introduced to Floyd Bennett Field before heading up to the historic aircraft control tower for panoramic views of New York City, Jamaica Bay, and its surrounding communities. We’ll then proceed to historic Hangars 3 and 4 to learn about the exciting plans for their adaptive reuse.
Cycling the original concrete runways, we’ll head to the North 40 Natural Area, making a stop at the Jean Bourque Memorial Bird Blind overlooking a freshwater pond—a sanctuary for fall-migrating birds. From there, the ride will continue to the kayak launch for views of Mill Basin, then onward to the Seaplane Ramp, where sweeping views reveal Jamaica Bay’s surrounding parklands, marsh islands and the Rockaway Inlet.
The tour will continue to Hangar B, home to an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft beautifully restored by NPS HARP (Historic Aircraft Restoration Program) volunteers, before a final ride back along extensive grasslands, where we will scan the skies for hawks, kestrels, and other seasonal visitors.
This event offers a rare chance to experience Floyd Bennett Field’s expansive landscapes by bike, connecting its rich history with its exciting future as a hub for nature, innovation, and community in New York City.
Pollinator Explorers: A JBRPC Family Program at Edgemere Farm
Join us at Edgemere Farm for a free, fun, hands-on program celebrating pollinators and their important role in our community! Designed for children ages 2–10 and their caregivers, this interactive event will explore how bees, butterflies, and other pollinators help grow the food we eat and support healthy ecosystems right here in Rockaway.
Families will enjoy a guided garden tour, playful learning activities including making their own “insect hotels” using upcycled and foraged materials, and a chance to take home a native plant to support pollinators at home. Through exploration, movement, and discovery, participants will learn how caring for pollinators helps strengthen both the farm and our local environment.
Pre-registration required. Link coming soon!
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Learn to Fish Clinic, with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) I FISH NY program is excited to offer an engaging recreational experience, connecting state residents with their local natural resources through fishing.
DEC provides all the necessary instruction, equipment, and bait for a fishing experience. Visit the DEC Free Learn To Fish Clinics webpage for more information about this and other free fishing events.
Speak with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and Marine Park Alliance staff on site to learn about our upcoming recreation, ecology, and family programs like this one and more!
Moth Ball: A Night of Moths & Moonlight at Floyd Bennett Field
Join us for National Moth Week as we dive into the secret world of Jamaica Bay’s glowing biodiversity. We’ll begin indoors with our “Moth Academy,” featuring light refreshments and an introduction to the local species, led by Don Riepe, a founding member of the NYC Butterfly Club.
While inside, participants can get creative at our moth mask art station and practice their photography skills at the UV “glow-up” photo station. As darkness falls, we will venture outside for our “moth crawl.”
Experience three unique stations, our powerful light sheet, sugar baiting on trees, and a guided UV flashlight walk to find vital coastal pollinators like the Luna moth and the White-lined Sphinx Moth.
No prior experience needed. A perfect outing for all nature lovers.
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
9th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival
The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy will host the 9th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival on City of Water Day, Saturday, July 25, 2026.
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 to Fish Clinic, with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) I FISH NY program is excited to offer an engaging recreational experience, connecting state residents with their local natural resources through fishing.
This free event will take place on May 20, 2026 from 12-3pm at Park at Beach 108th Street (Rockaway Ferry Terminal) in Queens as a part of World Fish Migration Day.
DEC provides all the necessary instruction, equipment, and bait for a fishing experience. Visit the DEC Free Learn To Fish Clinics webpage for more information about this and other free fishing events.
Stop by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy table to learn about our upcoming recreation, ecology, and family programs like this one and more!
Shorebird Festival
Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, New York City Bird Alliance, and Gateway National Recreation Area for the 20th Annual Shorebird Festival. August is the perfect time to explore the diversity of New York City’s shorebirds!
Shorebird Festival attendees will have the opportunity to spot and learn about the scores of shorebird species and their natural habitat of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, filled with marshland, fresh and brackish water ponds, and grassy fields.
Attendees will meet at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
This festival is kid-friendly and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Jamaica Bay Open Paddle Kayaking, B43rd St.
Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Gateway National Recreation Area, and the Garden by the Bay for an easy, open kayak paddle in Jamaica Bay!
We’ll paddle around Norton Basin, a protected tributary of the Bay that offers calm conditions welcoming to beginner and experienced kayakers alike. The shoreline of Norton Basin is surrounded by natural areas and open space, making it the perfect place to spot native wildlife – from small shorebirds to soaring raptors. The experienced rangers at Gateway National Recreation Area will provide kayaking instruction, along with on-water support to ensure a safe and fun kayaking experience!
Learn more about the opportunities available to explore Rockaway’s native plants and animals in Norton Basin’s neighboring parks and receive a copy of JBRPC’s Common Plants and Pollinators of Jamaica Bay and Rockaway: A Field Guide to take home.
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Raptorama
Raptorama is an annual event presented by the National Park Service at Gateway National Recreation Area with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, NYC Bird Alliance, and the Wildlife Center of Long Island.
During the fall, millions of birds, including bird of prey migrate through New York City on their journey south for the winter. Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is the perfect excuse to get outside, learn more about these animals amazing journeys, and see some of them up close and personal!
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Pollinator Festival - A Spring Celebration
Celebrate spring and the essential role pollinators play in the ecosystems of Rockaway and Jamaica Bay at our Shoreline Pollinator Festival!
Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, The Garden By the Bay, and the Edgemere Alliance for this family-friendly event at 43rd Street Waterfront Park, where we’ll highlight native bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects that support our coastal and urban habitats. Through hands-on activities and interactive learning, participants will explore how pollinators help sustain local plants, strengthen biodiversity, and contribute to resilient waterfront landscapes, while also learning about the challenges these species face.
Get your hands in the soil by helping us plant pollinator-friendly species to beautify the park and create vital habitat. Participants can also decorate terracotta pots, make seed bombs, and take home native plant seeds, along with a pollinator-friendly plant to care for at home.
Join us to plant, create, and give back to your local environment, because healthy shorelines depend on all of us.
Beach Glass Workshop with Marine Park Alliance
Join Marine Park Alliance and Ayana B. Joy for this hands-on, eco-inspired workshop.
Learn about the beauty, history, and sustainability of beach glass and create your own wearable keepsake to take home (while supplies last).
World Migratory Bird Day Hike with Shirley Chisholm State Park
Join New York State Parks staff to learn about the special birds that can be seen in Shirley Chisholm State Park as they make their long migration journeys.
We will pay special attention to the migratory birds that visit our park during the spring and summer, in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day
This program is free! All ages are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
We will meet at the picnic tables behind the blue office building in the Fountain Ave parking lot. Please wear comfortable shoes for gravel trails, and bring water!
Hikes will be roughly two miles, on gravel trails. Please reach out if you have questions about accessibility or hike intensity.
Shibori: Indigo Vats and Food Scraps with NYC Parks
Join NYC Parks GreenThumb for a fabric dying workshop at The Healing Garden.
Learn Shibori — enter the world of pattern and surprise. Folding, tying, stitching, and pressing your fabric, you’ll prepare a tote bag for resist dyeing. We’ll dip into a deep blue indigo vat and experiment with subtle hues from avocado pits and carrot tops. The unveiling of your cloth—always a moment of wonder—connects you to a long lineage of global textile traditions while leaving you with a functional, one-of-a-kind piece.
Rockaway Beach and Jamaica Bay Bike Tour with NYC Parks
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a bike ride around Jamaica Bay.
No registration is required. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Please bring your own bike and helmet.
Tot Time with New York State Parks
Join us New York State Park staff at Shirley Chisholm State Park’s Hendrix Creek Patio for a fun morning of toddler-friendly crafts and activities!
Registration is required.
City Nature Challenge BioBlitz with JBRPC and the National Park Service
Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service for a BioBlitz at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge as part of the global City Nature Challenge!
During this hands-on community science event, participants will work together to document as many plant and animal species as possible throughout the refuge. Using the iNaturalist app, you’ll help photograph and record wildlife - contributing valuable data that helps scientists and conservationists better understand urban biodiversity.
Please bring a smartphone or tablet with the iNaturalist app downloaded, or, if you’re new to the app, we can help you download it and learn how to use it at the event. Drop by between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - all experience levels are welcome, whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just curious about the wildlife around you. Come explore the incredible biodiversity of Jamaica Bay and be part of a global effort to document nature in our cities!
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.
JBRPC Park Pals Programs are generously supported by the New York Community Trust, Office of the New York State Attorney General for the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower. Public funding is provided by NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Joann Ariola and Mercedes Narcisse.
Fort and Dunes Hike at Fort Tilden with the National Park Service
From military batteries to beach dunes, Fort Tilden is known for its many defense systems. Join a park ranger on a guided nature walk on trails nestled between the sea and maritime forest to learn about how this site has defended us in the past and how it continues to do so today.
Meet in front of the chapel at Fort Tilden. This program includes walking for approximately 2 miles on uneven terrain, including hills, rocks, sand and wooden stairs. Visitors who drive in will be issued a free parking permit to park in the Fort Tilden parking lot during the program.
City Nature Challenge BioBlitz with New York State Parks
Join New York State Parks educators on a hike to help catalogue plants and animals as we walk. Come be a scientist with us!
The City Nature Challenge is an annual four-day global bioblitz where cities compete to see not only what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal, but also which city can gather the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the event!
Stargazing at Floyd Bennett Field
Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!
The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.
If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.
Earth Day Bike Tour with New York State Parks
Celebrate Earth Day with a fun guided bike tour around the Fountain side of Shirley Chisholm State Park, on Wednesday, April 22nd from 4pm to 5pm! New York State Parks staff will discuss the history and ecology of Shirley Chisholm State Park. This bike tour will include a moderate incline on gravel trails, as well as some paved trails.
Borrow a bike from the Shirley Chisholm State Park Bike Library, or bring your own! Note that helmets are mandatory, and will be provided if you borrow a bike.
Registration is required for this event. The eventbrite will open on Wednesday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m.
Birding for Beginners with the National Park Service
Spring is here and so are the migratory birds!
Join a park ranger on this birding for beginners walk around the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. All skill levels welcomed; binoculars provided.
Pollinator Garden Planting Day with the National Park Service
Support your local national park by helping plant native species and expand pollinator habitats at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge! Volunteers will also have the opportunity to sign up for future maintenance days and continue caring for the garden. This is a great opportunity to learn about native plants and pollinator ecology.
Gardening tools and supplies will be provided. Be sure to bring water and dress comfortably in clothes you do not mind getting dirty. All volunteers under 18 must be accompanied with an adult for the entire event.
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.
JBRPC Park Pals Programs are generously supported by the New York Community Trust, Office of the New York State Attorney General for the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower. Public funding is provided by NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Joann Ariola and Mercedes Narcisse.
Puppets at the Park: Last One's a Rotten Egg!
Join New York State Park staff at Shirley Chisholm State Park’s Hendrix Patio for a retelling of The Tortoise and the Hare! Learn about the return to spring through an interactive puppet show.
The puppet show will have three performances - 1:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., 1:40 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
This program is FREE! All ages are welcome, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is completely outdoors, dress for the weather!
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.
JBRPC Park Pals Programs are generously supported by the New York Community Trust, Office of the New York State Attorney General for the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower. Public funding is provided by NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Joann Ariola and Mercedes Narcisse.
9th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival
The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy will host the 9th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival on City of Water Day, Saturday, July 25, 2026.
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.
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!
JBRPC Park Pals Programs are generously supported by the New York Community Trust, Office of the New York State Attorney General for the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower. Public funding is provided by NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Joann Ariola and Mercedes Narcisse.
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.
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.