PARK PALS
Park Pals is a free early childhood family program for children ages 0-6 and their caregiver(s) that takes place monthly at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Join JBRPC and the National Park Service as we introduce the next generation of young scientists to parks and urban wildlife through a range of hands-on activities and guided exploration. Activities include a themed read-aloud, a short nature walk with a park ranger, crafts, and more!
Check out the upcoming sessions below. Registration opens two weeks before each session.
Upcoming Sessions
Park Pals Pop Up: Pollinators of Marine Park
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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!
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. Register here.
Park Pals Pop Up: Pollinators of Floyd Bennett Field
Sunday, October 19, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join JBRPC and the National Park Service for Park Pals Pop-up at Floyd Bennett Field on 10/19!
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 enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a nature walk in the park. We are excited to have Ms. Butterfly join us for a joyful butterfly release to send our fall friends off with a flutter and a smile!
Registration opens 2 weeks before the event.
Park Pals Pop Up: Native Plants and Pollinators of Rockaway
Tuesday, November 4, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for Park Pals on Tuesday, 11/4 at Arverne East Nature Preserve!
This event intends to introduce next generation of young scientists to parks and urban wildlife through a range of hands-on activities and guided exploration. Our “Native Plants and Pollinators of Rockaway” session will highlight late-blooming native plants and the pollinators they support as they prepare for winter. Activities include a themed read-aloud, a short nature walk through the preserve, crafts, and more!
Registration opens 2 weeks before the event!
JBRPC Community Stewardship Programs are generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Con Edison, NYC Green 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