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.

Event Descriptions of the 2008 Season Calendar can be found below. 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.

* Denotes Pre-Registration required.

Seasonal Holidays with No Programs:
Memorial Day: May 26, 2008
Independence Day: July 4, 2008
Labor Day: September 1, 2008
Columbus Day: October 13, 2008

Preschool Art
10:30 am-noon, Mondays, WP and 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, 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*
14 Mondays, Sept 8-Dec 15 (except 10/13) or 14 Wednesdays, Sept 10-Dec 10, The Verdesian
For children 6 months to 4 years old and accompanying adults. Musicians lead interactive singing and music-making each week. $210 

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

Art+Games
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Join other children for art and lawn games. For children 5 years and older. 

Chess Lessons*
Mondays, 3:45-6 pm, NRP.
A Chess Master teaches the popular strategy game. All levels welcome. For ages 5 to 16.

May-June (except 5/28): $80 

Children’s Basketball
Mondays (except 5/26, 9/1, and 10/13), 5-6 year olds: 3:30-4:30 pm
7 and older: 4:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Basketball with adjustable height hoops for kids of all sizes. Fun drills to improve your skills. 

Explorers Club*
Mondays, Sept 8-Oct 27 (except 10/13), 3:30-5 pm, NRP
Explore the natural world in the park. Discover orienteering and learn to make your own compass. For 1st-3rd graders. $70. 

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

Soccer
Tuesdays, 4 year olds: 2:30-3:15 pm; ages 5 to 8: 3:30-4:15 pm; ages 9 to 12: 4:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Have fun learning to pass, shoot and dribble. 

Tour de Parc*
Saturday, Sept 20, 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. 

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

Art Portfolio Development for Teens*
Mondays-Thursdays, July 7-31.10 am-1 pm. The Verdesian
Have fun while creating a portfolio for applying to specialized art high schools. 4-week intensive. Fee: $280; materials: $40. Financial aid available. 

Green Adventure*
Mondays-Fridays, July 7-25, 10 am-2 pm, NRP
Get the scoop on carbon footprints and the greenhouse effect. Visit greenmarkets, sail on the Hudson, and learn about green architecture, recycling and pollution solutions. For young people entering 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Fee: $525. Financial aid available. 

Drawing in the Park
Saturdays (except 7/5, 10/11 and all of Aug), 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, RPE
Learn figure drawing outdoors with a model and an artist/educator. Materials provided. 

Garden Tours
Mondays: May 5, May 19, June 9, Sept 15, Sept 22, Oct 6, 12:30-1:30 pm
Tour gardens with a horticulturist and learn about BPCPC`s innovations in organic gardening on a public scale. 

Tai Chi
Fridays (except May, 7/4, 8/29 and 10/10), 8:30-9:30 am, EP
Learn the ancient Chinese martial art. No experience necessary. 

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

Bicycle Maintenance Workshop*
Tuesdays, August 19 and 26, 6:30-8 pm, BPCPC Offices
Learn quick fixes that will get you home in a pinch! Bicycle required. Led by Martin Nichols of Recycle-A-Bicycle. For ages 12 and older. Fee: $30. 

Bird Watching
Select Thursdays and Saturdays, WP and TDP. See Daily Calendar
Join a birder/naturalist to learn about the birds that nest and rest in the parks. Binoculars and field guides available. 

Family Dances
Various Times and Locations. See description.
Energetic, joyful community dancing for all ages. No partners or experience necessary. Dance callers lead the steps.

- Family Square Dance: James Reams & The Barnstormers play foot-stomping bluegrass. Don Coy leads the dancing. Saturday, May 10, 6:30-8 pm, EP

- Swedish Family Dance at Midsummer Festival Co-sponsored by The Consulate General of Sweden, New York. Friday, June 20, 5-8 pm WP.

- Family Swing Dance: Harlem Renaissance Orchestra`s exuberant big band music provides the swing for Lindy Hop lessons led by Dance Manhattan. Saturday, July 12, 6:30-8 pm, EP

- West African Family Dance: Mane Kadang performs music from Senegal, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Dances led by Kotchegna Dance Company. Saturday, August 16, 6:30-8 pm, EP 

Family Performances at Go Fish
Select Saturdays, 12:30 pm WP
May 17 Michael Hill`s Acoustic Allies delight anglers with "Fishing Blues."

June 14 The Suzi Shelton Band performs playful songs from her new CD "No Ordinary Day."

Sept 20 Astrograss for Kids performs a high energy and quirky mix of bluegrass and folk music.

Oct 18 Michelle Music plays "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and other upbeat jazz standards. 

Go Fish
Select Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, WP
Join experienced anglers for catch-and-release fishing, and learn about life in the Hudson River. Art projects and performances too! 

Public Art Tours
Saturday, 5/10, 6/14 and 10/25, Sun 6/29, 9/7, and 5/18
Join a contemporary art expert for an eye-opening tour of Battery Park City`s outstanding art collection. Select Saturdays and Sundays.
See Daily Calendar. 

River Swims
May 24, July 5, Oct 25
Opportunities to swim in the Hudson River. May 24, July 5, Oct 25. Co-sponsored by Manhattan Island Foundation. For information, visit www.nycswim.org. 

Sunset Jam on the Hudson
Fridays, July 11-Aug 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, WP
Join in a drumming circle led by master drummers. Improvise on African, Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Instruments provided, or bring your own. 

Sunset Nature Walk*
Fridays, Sept 26 and Oct 3, 6-7:15 pm, WP
Observe this transitional time of year with a naturalist. Identify birds and butterflies migrating to Central and South America. 

The Big Draw
Saturday, Sept 6, 1-4 pm, TDP
Experience how drawing can connect us with our environment. Discover secrets of Teardrop Park through art explorations. Presented with The Drawing Center, Soho, as part of The River to River Festival.
Visit RiverToRiverNYC.com for additional locations and details 

The Family Music Festival at Battery Park City: Harmony on the Hudson
Sunday, September 14, 1-6 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Enjoy a great day of music and fun. Musical performances for the entire family. Lawn games, street games, and art activities. Food and beverages are available. Bring a picnic blanket and sunblock!

- Grammy award-winners Tom Chapin & Friends perform great folk music, including new work and traditional favorites.

- Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb plays selections from her new children`s CD Camp Lisa

- Ebony Hillbillies, an African American string band, plays toe-tapping bluegrass

- Brady Rymer jams with songs celebrating childhood

- Double Dutch Divas delight with rhythmic rope jumping

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. 

The Family Music Festival at Battery Park City: Harmony on the Hudson
Sunday, September 14, 1-6 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Enjoy a great day of music and fun. Musical performances for the entire family. Lawn games, street games, and art activities. Food and beverages are available. Bring a picnic blanket and sunblock!

- Grammy award-winners Tom Chapin & Friends perform great folk music, including new work and traditional favorites.

- Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb plays selections from her new children`s CD Camp Lisa

- Ebony Hillbillies, an African American string band, plays toe-tapping bluegrass

- Brady Rymer jams with songs celebrating childhood

- Double Dutch Divas delight with rhythmic rope jumping

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.