Battery Park City Parks Conservancy offers public programs and events for almost everyone. From May through October we sponsor music, dancing and storytelling, fishing days, bird watching and garden tours, art for all ages, sports, games and play programs. Our diverse programs aim to connect people with the parks as well as with each other. Everyone is encouraged to participate. All supplies are provided.

Some programs require a fee to participate. Please see the listings for specifics. Fees are collected to help offset the expense of materials and expert presenters. We take pride in the quality of every program and event. We appreciate your generosity and support in helping Battery Park City Parks Conservancy provide leisure time activities that are valuable, engaging and welcoming to all.

BPCPC programs aim to connect people with the parks as well as with each other. We encourage everyone to participate, regardless of age, gender, experience, or skill.

Seasonal Holidays with No Programs:
Memorial Day: May 25, 2009
Independence Day: July 4, 2009
Labor Day: September 7, 2009
Columbus Day: October 12, 2009






Preschool Art
10:30 am-noon, Thursdays, NRP
Very young artists are introduced to clay, wood and paint with projects planned by an art educator/artist. Dress for a mess! 

Preschool Play
Mondays (except 5/25, 9/7, and 10/12), Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 10 am-Noon, WP
Join other toddlers, parents and caregivers for interactive play on a grassy lawn. Toys, books and play equipment provided. 

Stories and Songs
Sept 14- Dec 16
Musicians lead interactive singing and music-making for children 6 months to 4 years old and accompanying adults.
Fee: $210. 

Young Sprounts Gardening
Tuesdays, 3:15-3:45 pm, NRP
Simple organic gardening for children 3-5 years old with accompanying adults. Space is limited. First come, first served 

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Art+ Games
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Join the fun, for children 5 and older 

Gardening Club
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm, NRP
For children ages 6-10. Soil preparation, planting, watering, weeding, and composting introduce children to BPCPC’s green practices. $80 per 2-month cycle or $210 for three seasons. 

Tour de Parc
Saturday, Sept 19, 10 am, EP
Tricyclists, bicyclists and scooter riders 9 years old and younger show their pedal power in an "everyone wins" cycling tour of the parks. Helmets required. 

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Art Portfolio Development for Teens* - FULL
4-week intensive: Mondays-Thursdays, July 6-30. 10 am-1 pm. Fee: $325, materials: $50. The Verdesian
Family Dances, See page 8

Create a portfolio for applying to specialized art high schools. 

Babysitters’ Training (Red Cross)*
Saturdays, June 27 or Oct 3, 10am-6:30pm, The Verdesian
Gain skills and confidence to care for infants and school-age children. Graduates receive certification. For 11-15 year olds.Members $50; Non-Members $60. Call 646-210-4292. CCSHS 

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Drawing in the Park
Saturdays (except 5/23, 7/4, 9/5, 10/10, and all of August), 10:30 am-Noon, SC
Sketch and paint the river and parks with an artist/educator. Materials provided. 

Elements of Nature Drawing
Wednesdays, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, WP
Enjoy drawing in the parks and gardens with an artist/educator. Materials provided. 

Figure al Fresco
Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30 pm, SC
Learn figure drawing outdoors with a clothed model and an artist/educator. Materials provided. 

Garden Tours
Friday, May 8 and Mondays, May 18, June 8, Sept 14, Sept 21,
Oct 19, 12:30-1:30 pm.

Tour beautiful gardens with a horticulturist and learn about BPCPC’s innovations in organic gardening on a public scale. 

Public Art Tours
Saturdays, May 9, June 20, Oct 24 and Sundays, June 28, Sept 27.
Join a contemporary art expert for an eye-opening tour of Battery Park City’s outstanding art collection. 

Tai Chi
Fridays( except all of May, 7/3, 9/4 and 10/9), 8:30-9:30am, EP
Learn the ancient Chinese martial art with an expert. No experience necessary. 

Volleyball After Work
June-Sept , 6-7:30, EP
Join other adults for good-natured games of volleyball. Scorekeeper and balls provided. No experience necessary. 

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Battery Park City Birding
Fridays, May 15 and Oct 16, 9:30 am. WP
Join other birders on a self guided walk. Binoculars and field guides available. 

Bird Watching
Saturdays,
May 16 and Sept 19, 11 am, WP

Join a birder/naturalist to learn about the birds that nest and rest in the parks. Binoculars and field guides available. Novices and experienced birders welcome. 

Birds & Butterflies
Saturday, Oct 3, 11am, WP
Join naturalist and illustrator Dave Taft on an investigation of the annual mirgration of birds and butterflies that travel alonng the Hudson River corridor. Sharpen observation skills and deepen your connection to wildlife with an introduction to nature journaling. Materials provided. 

Ederle Swim
Oct 17,10:15am,NC to Sandy Hook
Opportunities to swim in the Hudson.Co-sponsored by Manhattan Island Foundation. For information, visit www.nycswim.org. 

Family Dances
6:30-8 pm, EP
Joyful community dancing for all ages. No partners or experience necessary. Dance callers lead the steps. 

Go Fish
Select Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, WP
Join experienced anglers for catch-and-release fishing and learn about marine life in the Hudson River. Art projects and performances too!
Family Performances at Go Fish, Select Saturdays, 12:30 pm, WP
- May 16 Dan Milner & Friends sing "Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea."
- June 13 Lou Gallo & Friends perform songs about home and family.
- September 19 Arm-of-the-Sea Theater performs "Mutual Strangers: Henry Hudson & the River that Discovered Him" with giant puppets.
- October 17 Coatlicue Theatre presents "Water is My Blood," stories from Central Mexico.
Pirates, Patriots & Sailing Ships:
Jonathan Kruk tells tales of "Pirates & Patriots on the Hudson River," followed by a replica sailboat workshop inspired by Henry Hudson’s exploration boat "Half Moon." Saturday, June 6, 11 am, TDP. 

Harmony on the Hudson
Sunday, September 13, 1-6 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park

Enjoy a great day of musical performances & fun for the entire family. Lawn games, street games, and art activities. Food and beverages are available. Bring a picnic blanket!
- Grammy award-winners Tom Chapin & Friends perform great folk music, including new work and traditional favorites
- Funky Fritters’ powerhouse band offers a
funky gumbo of New Orleans inspired
blues, brass, R & B and jazz
- Princess Katie & Racer Steve play rock & swing music for kids & their adults
- Double Dutch Divas delight with rhythmic rope jumping
- The David Roche Band features songs inspired by a circle of musical New York family and friends
Harmony on the Hudson is made possible by a grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which is funded through Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Henry Hudson’s Mannahatta*
Sundays, June 14 and Sept 20, 2pm, TDP
Enjoy two opportunities to hear landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson discuss the natural history of our island. In his new book Mannahatta: The Natural History of New York City, he has recreated the untamed island Henry Hudson came upon in 1609. A book signing by the author follows both tours. 

River & Blues
Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm, WP
Enjoy summertime blues against the backdrop of spectacular sunsets on the Hudson River.
- July 9 The Alexis P. Suter Band, led by a rising star with a bass/baritone voice plays powerful gospel-tinged blues.
- July 16 The Junior Mack Band explores blues with excursions into jazz, rock and soul.
- July 23 Hazmat Modine has the scratchy soul of an old blues record and the energy of a brass band.
- July 30 Jay Collins and the Kings County Band create a brew of original music, with sparks of New Orleans-style funk, classic jazz, and blues. 

Soccer
Tuesdays, 4 yr olds: 2:30-3:15 pm; 5 to 8 yr olds: 3:30-4:15 pm; 9 to 12 yr olds: 4:30-5:30 pm, Ballfields
Have fun passing, shooting & dribbling 

Stories For All Ages
Select Saturdays, 11 am.
Master storytellers bring stories, fables, and myths to life.
- Julie Pasqual tells "Stories from Mother Nature’s Handbook." May 9, RP
- Jonathan Kruk performs "Pirates & Patriots on the Hudson River" for school-age children, and history buffs of all ages.
June 6, TDP
- Eleni Constantelos tells "Folktales, Fairytales, and Animal Tails" July 18, RP
- Sunita S. Mukhi performs "Kalahati: The Half Girl of Ma-Yi". Aug 15, RP 

Sunset Jam on the Hudson
Fridays, July 10-Aug 28, 6:30-8:30 pm, WP
Improvise on African, Latin and Caribbean rhythms in a drumming circle led by master drummers. Instruments provided, or bring your own. 

Twilight Tour: Flora and Fauna in the Park*
Fridays, May 29, 6:30-7:30 pm and Sep 25, 6-7 pm, WP
Join a naturalist and horticulturist on an evening exploration of Wagner Park, South Cove and the edge of the Hudson River Estuary. 

Wednesdays in Teardrop
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 pm, TDP
Join other kids for neighborhood games and arts and crafts. 

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