Waterfront Festival Highlights Schedule of Free Programs in July
Cool Down at the Park with Water-Friendly Events
July is one of the busiest months of the year here at Randall’s Island Park and features one of our signature events, the Waterfront Festival on July 18.
Join us at the East River Picnic Area on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM throughout the month of July for our free yoga sessions that will help keep you light and limber! Stretch, breathe, and take in a serene workout with our instructor Nautica Maldonado while watching the sunset on the Harlem River.
We host recurring volunteer programs for those who want to help keep our parks looking beautiful.
Join the Team RIVER Volunteer on Wednesdays from 9:30-12:30 PM, or volunteer at our Urban Farm on Sundays from 10:00-1:00PM.
Icahn Stadium opens to the public on July 8 for our fan-favorite event, Community Track Night! Join us on the Icahn Stadium track, home to past Olympic Trials, records set by Jesse Owens, Meseret Defar, and Usain Bolt, and this year’s site for the USA Track and Field Championships. Follow your own training plan or join Harlem Run for a workout from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Runners of all abilities are welcome and encouraged to attend (must be 18 or older to participate).
Our weekly Dance in the Park series begins Saturday, July 11, at 11:00 AM, at our East River Picnic Area. Learn how to Salsa thanks to instruction from Sweet Water Dance & Yoga while taking in the great views of the Park and the river. On July 25, the dance style switches to the Merengue!
Also on July 11, bring your little ones to Storytime Stretches with Jazy during our Urban Farm Open hours from 1:00-2:00 PM! Listen to Jazy deliver a thematic and beautifully illustrated children’s book followed by a movement session with family-friendly yoga, stretches, and mindfulness.
There’s even more on July 11 from 9:00-11:00AM where you can join our Catch & Release: Fishing Series of events by our living shoreline/ferry dock! Whether you’re brand new to fishing or looking to brush up on your skills, this hands-on event will introduce the basics while exploring the ecology of the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary.
July 18 is our premiere weekend of the month as our Waterfront Festival takes place from 12:00-3:00 PM at the East River Picnic Area. Enjoy a fun, family-friendly day along our scenic waterfront with water-themed educational activities, crafts, games, face painting, live performances, and more. There will be a free Bike Valet provided by Transportation Alternatives so you can safely park your bikes and enjoy the festivities with ease of mind. You can also join a communal Bike Ride to the event at 11:30 AM from Thomas Jefferson Park.
On July 25, come to our second Salt Marsh Saturday of the year! That Saturday is special as it is part of New York City’s annual City of Water Day!
Now in its 19th year, City of Water Day — taking place this year on Saturday, July 25 — is a region-wide day organized by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), to champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.
Drop in to explore the Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh as from 9 AM- 12 PM the marsh pathway gates on the boardwalk will be open and members of RIPA’s Natural Areas Team will be on site to answer questions, share interesting facts and show off some of the unique species of plants and animals that call this amazing and dynamic ecosystem home!
Also on July 25, from 1:00-3:00 PM, our Urban Farm will be hosting a free food demonstration to teach the community-at-large how to cook with the seasonal produce they can see growing on the farm!
