Randall's Island

Winter Composting hosted by Big Reuse
2025-01-11 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Urban Farm
Join the NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse as we manage the 3-bin compost system at Randall’s Island Urban Farm!
We will be processing food scraps, yard waste, turning piles, and sifting finished compost.
Your volunteer work with us helps divert food scraps and organic waste away from landfills, which decreases greenhouse gas emissions and creates a soil amendment that goes back into parks, gardens, and public green spaces. Help us work towards a more ecologically sustainable community!
Registration is required here.
Location: Urban Farm
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Team RIVER Volunteers
2024-12-18 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-12-04 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-20 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-13 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-06 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-10-30 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-10-23 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-10-16 09:30 - 12:30 and 1 more date | Icahn Stadium
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful! Team RIVER Volunteers regularly work with the Natural Areas team twice a month to take care of and restore our natural spaces on the island. With our Horticulture team, volunteers care for the many gardens, green streets and meadows here at the park, every second Wednesday of each month. We also work with volunteers to help with park maintenance and public events. If you are only able to volunteer on a limited basis, you are still very much welcome!
Volunteers must be at least 11 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by their legal guardian before starting any work. Children under 16 must also have an adult with them while volunteering (please contact volunteers@randallsisland.org for a copy of the waiver).
Registration is required here.
Location: East Entrance of Icahn Stadium
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Christmas Bird Count
2024-12-15 09:00 - 14:00 | Icahn Stadium
The 125th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count—the nation’s longest-running Community-Science bird project—will soon be underway nationwide, and in all five boroughs of New York City – including here at Randall’s Island Park!
Anyone can participate, even beginner birders! The data collected over the past century by volunteer observers, ranging from experienced ornithologists to casual nature enthusiasts, allow researchers to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America.
This family-friendly activity is a great way to explore our City’s natural areas while contributing to valuable scientific research, and we encourage all to participate!
Registration is required here.
Location: Icahn Stadium
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Team RIVER Saturday
2024-12-14 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-12-07 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-23 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-16 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-11-09 09:30 - 12:30 | Icahn Stadium

CANCELLED Team RIVER Volunteers
2024-12-11 09:30 - 12:30 | Icahn Stadium
Team RIVER is cancelled due to weather.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful! Team RIVER Volunteers regularly work with the Natural Areas team twice a month to take care of and restore our natural spaces on the island. With our Horticulture team, volunteers care for the many gardens, green streets and meadows here at the park, every second Wednesday of each month. We also work with volunteers to help with park maintenance and public events. If you are only able to volunteer on a limited basis, you are still very much welcome!
Volunteers must be at least 11 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by their legal guardian before starting any work. Children under 16 must also have an adult with them while volunteering (please contact volunteers@randallsisland.org for a copy of the waiver).
Registration is required here.
Location: East Entrance of Icahn Stadium
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Wild Oyster Survey with the Billion Oyster Project
2024-11-16 13:30 - 15:30 | North side of the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh
Join Billion Oyster Project and Randall’s Island Park Alliance at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh on Randall’s Island for a wild oyster survey along the Harlem River shoreline. Wild oyster surveys are an opportunity to explore your local waterfront and build collective knowledge about where oysters live in NYC.
Learn to count and measure wild oysters along the coast while collecting data to help understand current wild oyster survey populations in New York Harbor. Participants, ages 16+, will learn about how oysters grow, and get up close and personal with the local oyster population while collecting and recording data.
Registration is required to attend this event.
Location: north side of the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh
Before the event, please watch this video about Wild Oyster Surveys and how to do one, skim through this Protocol Handout explaining what you will do in the field, and send in your digital waiver.
ALL Participants are required to complete this digital waiver in order to participate in this Wild Oyster Survey event. Signed waivers can be submitted electronically via the link provided.
Please wear weather appropriate clothing (water-proof gear in rain, hat when it’s sunny, etc.) and sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy. Closed toed shoes are required, we suggest rubber boots.
Sunscreen, bug spray, light snacks, and water bottles will be provided, but we encourage you to bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen, especially on sunnier days. Our team will provide all other field supplies including clipboards, data sheets, etc.
Accessibility information
This outdoor event will require walking, bending down, and squatting, on uneven, slippery, rocky, muddy, and sandy ground. Stools will be available nearby as needed, though participants should expect to be standing and/or squatting for up to 2 hours. There are no bathrooms near by the survey site, though there are bathrooms in the park. Parking is available on site. Please reach out with specific questions about accessibility.
Inclement Weather
All outdoor events are subject to cancellation/rescheduling in the case of inclement weather (e.g. extreme heat, heavy rain, lightning etc). If there is light rain, the event will still take place. In the case that this training needs to be canceled or rescheduled, you will receive an email additional with more information.
Wild Oyster Surveys are made possible through a grant from the Dr. Scholl Foundation. This program is part of Billion Oyster Project’s
Please reach out to wildoyster@billionoysterproject.org with any questions, or to be placed on the waitlist in the event RSVPs are full.
What’s included
Participants ages 16+ will learn to count and measure wild oysters along the Randall’s Island shoreline.

CANCELLED Fungus Walk with The New York Mycological Society
2024-11-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Icahn Stadium
This event has been cancelled due to lack of rain.

Join us as we partner with The New York Mycological Society to hunt for fungi in all its many forms. Learn how to find and identify fungi as well as their essential role in the ecosystem. Bring paper bags for collecting specimens, a hand lens, a knife, a tackle box (optional), water and a lunch.
We highly recommend using the iNaturalist app (IOS, Android) to document the fungi you find. Find out how to use it here.
If you’ve never been on a mushroom walk with us before, here is what to expect. We look forward to seeing you there!
Location: Icahn Stadium
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Fall Cleanup
2024-11-02 09:30 - 12:00 | Bronx Shore Public Bathroom
Join the Randall’s Island Park Alliance and our Natural Areas team for one last push to cleanup the park while the weather is still agreeable! Volunteers will not only help with picking up litter and debris but also remove invasive species, clean walking trail paths and other duties to put us on a good path for the winter months. This event is open to the general public.
Registration is required here.
Location: Bronx Shore Public Bathroom near Field 3
If you are having difficulty finding us, or you need to cancel the same day, please feel free to reach Lyall at 617-686-0342.
All participants must sign a Waiver of Liability. Teens aged 16 and 17 years old may volunteer without adult supervision but they must bring the attached waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Minors under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or adult and bring the attached waiver signed by a parent or guardian. This waiver should be given to those at the registration table.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Urban Farm Volunteers
2024-10-27 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Urban Farm
Volunteer with our team to manage our one-acre Urban Farm!
Whether you are new to our farm or have been a tried-and-true weekly volunteer, come and join us! Volunteers must be at least 10 years old. Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who volunteers with them. Individuals ages 16 & 17 can volunteer if a parent or guardian has signed a waiver. (Please get in touch with volunteers@randallsisland.org for a copy of the waiver).
Registration is not required but we ask that you commit at least two hours of volunteering. Groups larger than 5 people must first contact us at volunteers@randallsisland.org
Location: Urban Farm
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Halloween Boo Bash
2024-10-26 12:00 - 15:00 | White Garden
Join us for an afternoon of Halloween Fun! Come out to Randall’s Island Park for Halloween-themed activities, treats, music, and more. Costumes are welcome!
Location: White Garden by Field 74
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

From Canopy to Canvas: Appreciating Our Forest Through Art on City of Forest Day
2024-10-26 10:00 - 12:30 | White Garden
Join us for a tour to see stunning fall foliage and learn about the many benefits Randall’s Island Park’s Urban Forest provides. Following the tour, attendees are invited to a relaxing watercolor landscape painting session within the shaded canopy of the White Garden along the banks of the East River. The day will be a great way to unwind and gain a deeper appreciation for the serenity and important ecosystem services our urban forest provides. Light seasonal refreshments will be provided during the painting.
Registration is required here.
Location: White Garden
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Jesse Owens Track & Field Youth Program Cross County Run on Randall's Island
2024-10-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Hilltop Picnic Area, 11 Wards Meadow Loop, New York, NY, 10035, United States
The Randall’s Island Park Alliance, in partnership with City Parks Foundation, continues to offer the Jesse Owens Track and Field Youth Program! This free, weekly track & field youth program is available to youth ages 8-16 and enables participants to learn the fundamentals of the sport and stay active. Activities will focus on running techniques for sprints and relays and will introduce other track and field activities like long jump, hurdles, and long-distance running. Join us for a fun run in Randall’s Island Park! Meet at Hilltop Picnic Area, and finish your run at our free Halloween Boo Bash!
Registration is required on LeagueApps here.
Changes to note: Age range now 8-16, registration is on LeagueApps instead of Eventbrite
Location: Hilltop Picnic Area

Waterfront Wellness
2024-10-19 13:00 - 14:00 | East River Picnic Area
Join us for a free outdoor fitness class along the waterfront, where wellness meets nature! This all-ages, all-abilities class is led by Benswic trainers who will guide you through a fun and effective bodyweight workout. Bring a water bottle and a smile—everyone is welcome!
Registration encouraged, but not required here.
Location: East River Picnic Area
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.

Jesse Owens Track & Field Youth Program at the NYRR Fall Jamboree
2024-10-19 09:00 - 14:00 | The Armory, 216 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY, 10032, United States
The Randall’s Island Park Alliance, in partnership with City Parks Foundation, continues to offer the Jesse Owens Track and Field Youth Program! This free, weekly track & field youth program is available to youth ages 8-16 and enables participants to learn the fundamentals of the sport and stay active. Activities will focus on running techniques for sprints and relays and will introduce other track and field activities like long jump, hurdles, and long-distance running.
For this event, we encourage parents to register for free in advance on the NYRR website, and to view the event brochure. Please note, this events starts at 9 AM at The Armory.
Location: The Armory

Jesse Owens Track & Field Youth Program
2024-10-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Thomas Jefferson Park
The Randall’s Island Park Alliance, in partnership with City Parks Foundation, continues to offer the Jesse Owens Track and Field Youth Program! This free, weekly track & field youth program is available to youth ages 8-16 and enables participants to learn the fundamentals of the sport and stay active. Activities will focus on running techniques for sprints and relays and will introduce other track and field activities like long jump, hurdles, and long-distance running.
Registration is required on LeagueApps here.
Changes to note: Age range now 8-16, registration is on LeagueApps instead of Eventbrite
Location: Thomas Jefferson Park

Sorghum Saturday: A Sweet Day on the Urban Farm
2024-10-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Urban Farm
Join us for a sweet experience as we discover the art of sorghum pressing and learn all about this amazing plant grown right here on our Urban Farm! During this hands-on experience, you will juice sorghum with a hand cranked press, taste fresh sorghum juice, sample boiled-down sorghum syrup, and snack on popped sorghum grain, which resembles popcorn.
Location: Urban Farm
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation or for event information, please email publicprograms@randallsisland.org.
