2026 NYC Parks GreenThumb T-Shirt Design Contest

 

2026 NYC Parks GreenThumb T-Shirt Design Contest

Submit your original design to the 2026 NYC Parks GreenThumb T-Shirt Design Contest based on the theme: Soil & Soul: Where Hands Get Dirty and Hearts Connect /
Tierra & Alma: Donde las Manos se Ensucian y los Corazones se Conectan.

Pick up a pen, crayon, pencil, or whatever you use to draw, and submit your artwork to our t-shirt design contest! The winning design will appear on GreenThumb t-shirts, worn by hundreds of gardeners all over the city. Applicants may submit up to three entries. 
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 

Visit:

https://newsletters.nycgovparks.org/index.php?action=social&c=607d43d8f2fa41b135fd2f70bd830785.124469&ref=linkedin

Parks Committee Meeting at Brooklyn Community Board 10, Sept. 3, 2025

Brooklyn Community Board 10

 

Parks Committee Meeting

September 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Held in person at CB10 office on 8119 Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and on Zoom 

Agenda

Request to rename Coffey Square located at 81 Street and 7th Avenue to Coffey-Wilson Post 688 Square. This request was prompted by the merger of two American Legion posts that locally honor heroes from WWI and WWII. The Commander of Coffey-Wilson Post 688 is seeking a letter from Community Board 10 to be sent to Dept. of Parks supporting this change.

 

Renewal notification of concession for the sale of food for mobile food unit at Owl's Head Park, Colonial Road at 67th Street and 68th Street from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030 

 

Visit: https://cbbrooklyn.cityofnewyork.us/cb10/event/parks-committee-4/

See meeting on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/@brooklyncb1021

 

 

Halloween Festival 2025

Halloween Festival on 5th Avenue

From 72nd Street to 85th Street along 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Saturday, October 25, 2025

2pm to 7pm

 

Famchella, Sept. 13, 2025

Famchella Festival on Fifth Avenue

From 68th Street to 81st Street along 5th Avenue, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Saturday, September 13, 2025 

3pm to 8pm

 

Register for Free Daffodil Bubls on Monday, August 18, 2025

New Yorkers for Parks will open registration for community members and community groups to request free daffodil bulbs on Monday, August 18, 2025

Visit:  https://ny4p.org/the-daffodil-project 

How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

NY4P's offers instructions on how to plant daffodil bulbs.

Visit:  https://www.ny4p.org/client-uploads/pdf/Daffodil-Project/Daffodil-Project-planting-instructions.pdf 

How to Plant Wildflower Seeds

New Yorkers for Parks offers instructions on how to plant wildflower seeds.  

Visit:  https://www.ny4p.org/client-uploads/img/Wildflower-Planting-Instructions.png

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movies Under the Stars: Holes (2003) Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Dyker Beach Park

 

Movies Under the Stars: Holes (2003)

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

8:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m.

Locati

Bay 8th Street and Cropsey Ave in Dyker Beach Park

Brooklyn

Visit:  Movies Under the Stars: Holes (2003) - Aug 20, 2025 : NYC Parks

33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition at Coney Island Beach 2025

 

33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition at Coney Island Beach

Saturday, August 16, 2025

11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Join us for the 33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition, a fun-filled day at the beach where talented artists will create magnificent sculptures out of sand.

Visit:  33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition at Coney Island Beach - Aug 16, 2025 : NYC Parks

New York City Circus Festival at Bryant Park, NYC on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025

 

Picnic Performances: New York City Circus Festival

Saturday, August 16, 2025

6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

The park’s first-ever circus festival is a love letter to New York City’s groundbreaking circus artists showcasing soaring aerial performances, acrobatics, clowning, a giant Rolly apparatus, and more! 

Visit:  Picnic Performances: New York City Circus Festival - Aug 16, 2025 : NYC Parks

The Conservation Gardener

The Conservation Gardener offers advice on building plant communities.

https://www.theconservationgardener.com/

Night Out Against Crime Held on Aug. 5, 2025

Thank you to everyone who participated at the 68th Precinct's Night Out Against Crime on August 5, 2025.  Here are some highlights from our table.

Continuing Education Class at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Continuing Education Class at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Visit:  www.bbg.org/learn/continuing_education_classes?category=all&available=true&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Continuing+Education+Classes&utm_campaign=Registration+for+Fall+Classes+in+the+Garden+Is+Open

Night Out Against Crime 2025 with the 68th Precinct

Night Out Against Crime 2025 with the 68th Precinct

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Shore Road Park at 79th Street, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

6pm to 9pm 

 

 

Summer Concerts at Shore Road Park 2025

 

Summer Strolls on Third Avenue, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn 2025

 

Community Greening Workshops at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden promotes urban greening through education, conservation, and creative partnerships. By working with block associations, community gardens, and other service groups, the Garden is building a vibrant network of people, places, and projects dedicated to making Brooklyn a greener place.

For more information, contact community@bbg.org or call 718-623-7250

Visit:  https://www.bbg.org/learn/community?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Community+Greening+Workshops&utm_campaign=Take+a+FREE+community+class+at+BBG!+%f0%9f%8d%84%f0%9f%8d%82

 

 

Happy 4th of July 2025

 

Free Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse

Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse partner to offer free kayaking opportunities each summer! Note that for the start of the 2025 season, kayaking will take place at Pier 4 Beach.  Explore the East River Estuary and glide across the water at public kayaking in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Visit:  https://brooklynbridgepark.org/things-to-do/kayaking/

Pluto TV Movies With A View at Brooklyn Bridge Park

 
Pluto TV Movies With A View
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s most popular series, Pluto TV Movies With A View, shows free outdoor movies on Thursday evenings in July and August.
Visit:  https://brooklynbridgepark.org/events/movies-with-a-view/

 

Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Grant Army Plaza, Park Slope, Brooklyn corner of Prospect Park West and Union Street 

11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Join the Urban Park Rangers for a special access tour of Prospect Park's Grand Army Plaza and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch. Rangers will discuss the history of the arch and the plaza, highlighting its architectural features and some of the improvements made during the recently completed restoration project. 

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/06/28/grand-army-plaza-arch-tour

Picnic Performances New York City Opera: Opera Goes to Hollywood

Friday, June 27, 2025

7:00 p.m.–8:15 p.m.

Bryant Park Stage in Bryant Park, Manhattan

 

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/06/27/picnic-performances-new-york-city-opera-opera-goes-to-hollywood

 

NYC Beaches Open 2025

Parks maintains 14 miles of beaches. Beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through September 7, 2025. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags. All of our beaches are free and open to the public.

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches

NYC Parks Pools Open 2025

Pool Hours

Outdoor pool hours are from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Our pools will remain open this summer for general swim. Pool hours will remain the same: 11: 00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 

Free Swim Programs

Find out more about our learn to swim program, lap swim hours, our youth swim team, and programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools

68th Precinct Meeting, May 21, 2025

 

Parade of Ships 2025

 

Memorial Day Parade, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn 2025

 

 

2025 National GrowTogether Conference: Guided Tours

Sunday, June 8, 2025

9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

On the fourth day of the 2025 National GrowTogether Conference, join us for guided tours at GreenThumb community gardens, NYC Parks facilities, and other interesting urban green spaces across New York City!

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/06/08/2025-national-growtogether-conference-planting-seeds-of-resilience

Fun on 5th, June 1, 2025

 

New York Restoration Project

 

Visit: https://www.nyrp.org/en/

 

Greenbelt Native Plant Center Papermaking Workshop

Date: 05/30/2025

Location: Greenbelt Native Plant Center (Staten Island) (opens in new tab)
Victory Blvd. bet. Ridgeway Ave. and Travis Ave., Staten Island

Time:  10am to 1pm

Meeting Location: Greenbelt Native Plant Center parking lot

Description: Join the Greenbelt Native Plant Center for a seed paper making workshop! Attendees will learn to make plantable paper from recycled pulp embedded with native seeds. Attendees should dress in clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. This event is family-friendly! Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up a group of 10 or more, please reach out to stewardship@parks.nyc.gov

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/17269

 

Seed Increase Program at Greenbelt Native Plant Center on Staten Island

 

Greenbelt Native Plant Center Seed Increase Program Field Work

Date: 05/22/2025

Location: Greenbelt Native Plant Center (Staten Island) (opens in new tab)
Victory Blvd. bet. Ridgeway Ave. and Travis Ave., Staten Island

Meeting Location: Meet at the Greenbelt Native Plant Center Parking Lot

Time: 10am to 1pm

Description: Join the Greenbelt Native Plant Center’s Seed Increase Program (SIP) to help maintain the production plots in our Staten Island farm fields. The Seed Increase Program propagates and grows plots of plants from locally sourced populations for ecological restoration projects across the city. We will be preparing the plots for spring and fall planting. Additional tasks include plots weeding, spreading mulch, and cutting back last year’s growth. Tools will be provided. No prior knowledge about plants or farming is required. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to stewardship@parks.nyc.gov

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/17125

Bay Ridge Earth Day, May 3, 2025

 

Designers of Central Park and Prospect Park

 Central Park and Prospect Park are the vision of Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, described in NYC Parks history.

Visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/olmsted-parks

Five Boro Bike Tour 2025

Five Boro Bike Tour

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Visit:  https://www.bike.nyc/events/td-five-boro-bike-tour/

Happy Easter

Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter and Passover

 

Greenups 2025

 

Brooklyn Urban Gardener Certificate Program is now open

 

The Brooklyn Urban Gardener (BUG) certificate program is an annual multiple-session course that covers the basics in urban gardening and community greening. It connects the educational resources of Brooklyn Botanic Garden to the greening efforts of Brooklyn’s communities.

Upon completing all coursework, graduates are certified as Brooklyn Botanic Garden BUG volunteers. Certified BUGs then continue to support greening projects at schools, senior centers, block associations, community gardens, and other organizations.

Visit:  https://www.bbg.org/community/bug?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=BUG&utm_campaign=Community+Garden+Alliance%e2%80%94you%e2%80%99re+invited+this+spring!+%f0%9f%8c%b1

Free Classes at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden promotes urban greening through education, conservation, and creative partnerships. Working with block associations, community gardens, and other service groups, the Garden is building a vibrant network of people, places, and projects dedicated to making Brooklyn a greener place.

Upcoming workshops can be found by clicking on the link below:

https://www.bbg.org/learn/community?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=BBG+free+community+classes&utm_campaign=Community+Garden+Alliance%e2%80%94you%e2%80%99re+invited+this+spring!+%f0%9f%8c%b1

 

Compost Giveway from NYC Sanitation Department

Residents

NYC residents are eligible to receive free compost made in New York at one of our Compost Giveback Events.

Registration is required. Limit ONE ticket per person. If carpooling, each person must bring their ticket and show ID with a distinct NYC address.

NOTE: This is for NYC residents only. Businesses and commercial vehicles will not be serviced.

 Visit:  https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/programs/compost-givebacks.page

BBG's Street Care Workshop, May 6, 2025

Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Street Care Workshops

Community Greening Workshops

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 6–8 p.m.
Free; Preregistration Required

Street trees do so much to improve our environment but often receive little care. Learn best practices to spruce up your tree beds while improving the health and resilience of your block’s trees. We’ll also discuss how street tree care can be a great way to motivate your neighbors to participate in the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest. Take home a plant to try in your street tree bed!

ASL interpreter available upon request; contact community@bbg.orgat least 2 weeks prior to the class date.

For more information about BBG's community greening programs, visit bbg.org/community.

Instructors: Nina Browne, Jibreel Cooper, Kira Louzon-Heisler

Visit:  https://www.bbg.org/classes/street_tree_care_basics_how_to_green_your_block

 

BBGs Greenest Block 2025

 

About the Greenest Block in Brooklyn

Gather your neighbors and enter your block in Brooklyn’s friendliest competition.

The Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest is free and open to all residential blocks, commercial blocks, and community gardens in Brooklyn.

Participants can attend a free workshop, How to Green Your Block, at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and host a free interactive, walk-and-talk block visit, led by BBG staff, to learn about their block’s greening opportunities. Contest winners are revealed in August, and dozens of prizes are awarded for greening efforts.

Garden together to make your block more beautiful, friendly, and green!

Visit:  https://www.bbg.org/community/greenestblock?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=bbg.org%2fgreenestblock&utm_campaign=Get+Ready+for+Free+Summer+Community+Greening+Programs+%f0%9f%8c%b1

GrowTogether Conference: June 5-8, 2025

 

GrowTogether Conference

June 5-8, 2025

Free registration is now open for the 2025 National GrowTogether Conference: Planting Seeds of Resilience! This inspiring four-day gathering of community gardeners and leaders nationwide will celebrate the power of urban green spaces and community gardening in New York City. All activities are free and open to the public.

Register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-national-growtogether-conference-planting-seeds-of-resilience-tickets-1262587245439?aff=oddtdtcreator

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/greenthumb-growtogether

The Battery Conservancy

The Battery Conservancy

Free tours include:  History of the Battery, Guided Bird Walks, Urban Farming Workshops, Garden Workshops, and Open Farm Days

The Battery Urban Farm is located inside Battery Park, Manhattan across from the Staten Island Ferry and the Battery Park Carousal.  

Visit:  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-battery-conservancy-tbc-10642878272

 

GrowNYC Youth Workforce Development

 

GrowNYC Youth Workforce Development

Program Update: GrowNYC Youth Workforce Development

GrowNYC is hiring for a Temporary Education Manager to lead our Youth Workforce Development program. This position will:

• Lead and manage a 7-week summer program for 12 participants ages 16-19, focused on GrowNYC’s core initiatives: food access, conservation, education, and green space.

• Contribute to GrowNYC’s food access education efforts by developing and expanding K-12 curricula for students and families. 

The Temporary Education Manager is a full-time position, non-exempt and salaried with full benefits upon meeting the waiting period.

The deadline to apply is May 4th and the position runs through October 2025.

Visit:  https://grownyc.read.axioshq.com/p/education/aa25ee03-5481-4dbf-9a1a-36c0c40d4626/ff2a8577-8434-40c7-8de2-3542cc5aae7f

GrowNYC Compost Education

 

GrowNYC Compost Education

GrowNYC is providing comprehensive compost education support for residents and building operations teams to participate in NYC’s mandatory Curbside Composting program! Our dedicated team is offering the education and technical assistance necessary to make composting an integral part of a building’s waste management strategy.

 

Visit:  https://grownyc.read.axioshq.com/p/education/aa25ee03-5481-4dbf-9a1a-36c0c40d4626/92cf1566-bcad-4000-9050-3abf4d56788d

 

 

Earth Day Celebrations at Brooklyn Bridge Park 2025

Earth Day Celebrations at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Visit:  https://brooklynbridgepark.org/earth-day/?utm_source=Brooklyn+Bridge+Park+Events+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dc0e3229fd-EMAIL_2025_03_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-cc60b15515-22065929&mc_cid=dc0e3229fd&mc_eid=6e4cd2e432

Brooklyn Bridge Park 

Bargemusic Concerts @ the Boathouse

Admission Free

Visit:  https://www.bargemusic.org/admission-free-concerts/?utm_source=Brooklyn+Bridge+Park+Events+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dc0e3229fd-EMAIL_2025_03_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-cc60b15515-22065929&mc_cid=dc0e3229fd&mc_eid=6e4cd2e432

Monuments of Prospect Park Tour

Monuments of Prospect Park Tour

Sunday, April 6, 2025

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Come Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walking tour of Prospect Park’s monuments. Learn about Brooklyn’s role in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the history of Brooklyn’s largest Civil War memorial. Celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic: The Union veterans association instrumental in the construction of the Soldiers and Sailors’ Arch.

Location:  Grand Army Plaza Arch, corner of Union Street and Prospect Park West in Brooklyn

 

Visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/04/06/monuments-of-prospect-park-tour

 

Marine Park Alliance Presents: Cherry Tree Heaven

Marine Park Alliance Presents: Cherry Tree Heaven

Sunday, April 6, 2025

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

NYC's Director of Tree Planting leads an in-depth discussion of Marine Park's own grove of Yoshino cherry trees, initially planted in the 1980s. Walk through these pink-blossoming trees in all their glory and take a photo of this stunning springtime marvel!

E. 36th St. & Ave. U in Marine Park, Brooklyn

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/04/06/marine-park-alliance-presents-cherry-tree-heaven

 

History Tour of The Battery

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Join guides from The Battery Conservancy for an extended walking tour of the park, with a focus on the history of the area.  RSVP is required; find more information and register by following this link <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-tours-of-the-batterymultipledatestickets-567212908077aff=ebdsoporgprofile> 

to the Eventbrite registration page. 

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/04/08/history-tour-of-the-battery

Spring Cherry Blossoms Hike

Sunday, April 6, 2025

1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Join the Urban Park Rangers on a super hike of all the best cherry trees in Central Park, from Pilgrim to Cherry Hill to the Great Hill and the Reservoir! Hopefully we catch them in peak bloom.

Entrance - East 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/04/06/spring-cherry-blossoms-hike

Urban Farming 101 Workshop: Soil & Compost

Urban Farming 101 Workshop: Soil & Compost

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Visit Battery Urban Farm and learn to manage the health of your garden soil through a deeper understanding of its composition and biology.  View more details and reserve your spot by following this link <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-farming-101-workshop-soil-compost-registration-1290183717229?aff=oddtdtcreator>  to the Eventbrite registration page.

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/04/09/urban-farming-101-workshop-soil-compost

Classes at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Classes at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Visit: 

https://www.bbg.org/learn/continuing_education_classes?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Continuing+Education+Classes&utm_campaign=Registration+for+Summer+Classes+in+the+Garden+Opens+April+7.

 

 

 

 

NYC Community Compost Network

NYC Community Compost Network

Visit:  https://nyccommunitycompostnetwork.org/

Grow Your Garden: Planting & Transplanting Seedlings

Grow Your Garden: Planting & Transplanting Seedlings

Thursday, March 27, 2025

6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

BPL- Macon Library

361 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/03/27/grow-your-garden-planting-transplanting-seedlings

 

The Best Parks to See Cherry Blossoms in New York City

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/best-parks-to-see-cherry-blossoms-in-new-york-city

 

 

 

Astronomy: Night Sky Crafting

Astronomy: Night Sky Crafting

Saturday, March 22, 2025

7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Celebrate the spring equinox by joining the Urban Park Rangers to map the NYC night sky. 

Salt Marsh Nature Center in Marine Park

East 33rd Street and Avenue U, Brooklyn

Visit:  https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/03/22/marine-park-alliance-presents-natures-workshop-crafting-the-night-sky

 

 

4 Ways to Advocate for Community Composting! 

Visit:  https://mailchi.mp/bigreuse/q-gardens-compost-bin-8832732?e=85a3bd9013