Celebrate City of Forest Day with tree care, forest walks and fall colors throughout Queens on Saturday, October 26 – QNS

A local environmental organization is partnering with the NYC Parks Department and Open Space Partners NYC to celebrate the third anniversary of City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 26th.

Forest for all NYC is hosting over 80 activities across the five boroughs to celebrate the day of action aimed at raising awareness of New York City’s urban forest. Additionally, City of Forest Day was created to demonstrate that New Yorkers play an essential role in caring for the city’s trees and environmental landscape.

Event partners have developed programs to teach New Yorkers about caring for trees and their role as the “lungs” of the city. Additionally, over 40 events take place in Polish, Bangla, Urdu and Spanish and are family friendly.

Below is a list of events for Saturday, October 26th that Queens residents can attend.

City of Forest Day with Councilmember Nantasha Williams, Big Reuse and SEQ Clean-Up

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m

Roy Wilkins Park: Entrance on Foch Blvd. and Merrick Blvd.

Councilmember Nantasha Williams, Big Reuse and SEQ Clean Up are working together to maintain street trees near Roy Wilkins Park. Event attendees can enjoy live music while they clean up Roy Wilkins.

Forest bathing in Astoria Park

12 – 2 p.m

Location: Northernmost end of Astoria Park, on the meadow near the corner of Ditmars Blvd. and 19th St., near the Hellgate Bridge

Vanessa Heller, a certified forest therapy guide, will lead an immersive guided sitting and walking meditation to help locals feel at peace and one with nature.

Self-Guided Tree Walk 34th Avenue

8 a.m. to 8 p.m

Location: 34th Ave., 93-11 34th Ave. Jackson Heights

Get to know the trees along 34th Ave. Know Open Street in Jackson Heights.

Idlewild Park City of Forest Day Natural Area Restoration

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m

Location: Idlewild Park Preserve Environmental Science Learning Center parking lot

Idlewild Park, Jamaica Queens

Volunteers can join NYC Parks and contribute to the ongoing restoration efforts at Idlewood Park. Other activities include raising awareness about biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.

Tree care at the Queens Botanical Garden

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m

Queens Botanical Garden 4350 Main St., Flushing

Volunteers will work at the Queens Botanical Garden to care for the trees

Day hike to the City of Forest: Alley Pond

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m

Location: Alley Pond Adventure Course

Join the Urban Park Rangers on a nature walk through the forests of Alley Pond Park. Participants learn about the forest ecology of the area.

City of Forest Day with Jackson Heights Beautification Group Tree LC

1 a.m. – 12:30 p.m

Location: Jackson Heights Post Office 78-02 37th Ave.

City of Forest Day with Jackson Heights Beautification Group Tree LC includes tree care and native pollinator/daffodil planting.

Guided hike through the “Magic Plants” forest park.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m

Location: Forest Park Park Ln S and Myrtle Ave

The Natural Areas Conservancy hosts a guided walk in Forest Park to explore the trail and natural area.

Celebrate great trees in Forest Park

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m

Location: My Buddy Statue Park Lane South, Richmond Hill

Join NYC Parks in celebrating one of New York City’s new great trees in Forest Park.

Colors of autumn: LIC

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m

Queens Library: LIC 21st St., Long Island City

Celebrate City of Forest Day with environmental educators from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) by exploring the colors of urban trees. Participants will learn why leaves change color in the fall through experiments conducted by DEC educators. The event will also feature nature arts and crafts.