A Virtual Walk in the Park

While we’re still social distancing for safety, it can be difficult to visit outdoor spaces around the city as we enter summer months. Even if you’re worried about keeping a safe distance or cannot leave your home, there are some ways to enjoy New York City’s parks right from your laptop or tablet.

NYC Parks’ Stewardship branch is hosting a virtual webinar in celebration of National Trails Day on Friday, June 5 from 10:00am to 11:00am. This free one-hour trails-focused webinar will provide a general overview of the trail systems in NYC and highlight one trail in each borough, giving you insight into its history, geology, ecology, and points of interest along the way. Click here to register for the link.

Later in the month, you can check out a webinar about NYC’s horseshoe crabs on Thursday, June 25 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Since 2013, Parks has been monitoring horseshoe crab mating activity. During this webinar you will learn about the history of horseshoe crabs, where to find them, and how you can contribute to their survival. Click here to register for a link.

Also, you always have the option to take a virtual tour of some of New York City’s Parks right from home any time. Head to the department’s Virtual Tours page and choose from several options, including an interactive presentation of the John Muir Nature Trail in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, which highlights key points of interest along the 1.7 mile trail, or an interactive map of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, which covers 41 miles through Manhattan and the Bronx.

And don’t miss out on the It’s My Park series, which airs Saturdays at 9:30am and Mondays at noon on NYC life (check your local listings). You can find videos that have already aired on NYC Parks’ website here, such as a piece about the newly restored Poe Cottage or a video about Hanami at Sakura Matsuri, celebrated during cherry blossom season at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

There is a ton of virtual content to enjoy through NYC Parks from the comfort of your home.

Photo credit: NYC Parks Stewardship