Good Morning,
Spring has sprung and our parks are blooming with events! As we make our way into the next busy season, check out these upcoming opportunities to get a head start on planning your outdoor adventures with NYC Parks in Staten Island this summer!
Beaches will also be reopening for the season later this month on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 27. Visit NYC Parks’ website to learn more about accessing our beaches and tips on how to be WaterSafe.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Sing for Hope
This summer, the Sing for Hope Pianos are returning to NYC with 50 artist-designed pianos placed in parks throughout all five boroughs. Sing for Hope is looking for dedicated, enthusiastic community members to help watch over these musical art pieces during their three weeks on the streets (June 6-25). If you or your community group can help, please fill out this survey or email e.chalif@singforhope.org to learn more!
Sing for Hope Pianos will be in these Staten Island parks this June:
· Conference House
· Greenbelt Nature Center
· Historic Richmond Town
· Kivlehan Park
· Midland Beach Boardwalk
· Snug Harbor
volunteer opportunities
IT’S MY PARK
Description: Partnerships for Parks invites you to get involved in It’s My Park hands-on service projects in all five boroughs. Our It’s My Park program offers year-round volunteer opportunities — from painting benches and planting bulbs, to weeding and cleaning, and much more!
Deadlines: Applications are due Thursday, June 1 for July projects! (Applications are due the first day of the month before the proposed project date)
Link: Learn more or apply here!
For other volunteer opportunities please check theNYC Parks website or contact your local Outreach Coordinator.
TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
CAPACITY FUND GRANT INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Description: Join Partnerships for Parks and learn more about the June 1st Capacity Fund Grant deadline and how it can help your community group care for your local park or garden!
Date/Time: Wednesday May 10, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Link: Register here!
PLANT GIVEAWAY & PERENNIAL WORKSHOP
Description: Attend GreenThumb’s workshop at the The Battery to learn how to care for perennials and grasses. For those that sign up in advance, bare-root perennials and grasses will be available while supplies lasts.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Link: Learn more here!
ADVANCED FACILITATION WORKSHOP
Description: Join Be Social Change for the second class in this two-part series and learn more on how to plan and run a successful facilitated session, highlighting strategies and techniques for successful group dynamic.
Date/Time: Monday, May 15, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Link: RSVP here!
VANQUISHING FUNDRAISING FEARS
Description: Partnerships for Parks and Ioby will help you slay common fears about grant writing and crowd funding. We’ll cover tips for becoming a confident, successful fundraiser and share resources for further support.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Link: RSVP here!
HEALTHY TREES WORKSHOP
Description: Join GreenThumb at Union Street Garden and learn how to successfully cultivate and care for trees in your garden. They will cover tree identification, choosing the right tree for the right site as well as how to keep your tree healthy and vigorous!
Date/Time: Thursday, May 25, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Link: Learn more here!
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Description: Attend Citizens Committee’s most popular workshop and learn how to address your neighborhood’s most pressing needs and target specific solutions in order to bring about meaningful community change. RSVP to Shawn at swhitehorn@citizensnyc.org or (212) 822-9563
Date/Time: Saturday, June 10, Time TBD
Link: Learn more here!
GRANTS & OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
CAPACITY FUND GRANT
Description: Partnerships for Parks makes small grants up to $5,000 to strengthen the outreach, membership, and program planning capacity of community groups who care for their neighborhood green spaces in all five boroughs.
Date/Time: Thursday, June 1, midnight
Link: Learn more here!
WALMART COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
Description: The Walmart Foundation offers a Community Grant Program awarding grants from $250 to $2,500. Through this program Walmart Associates support the needs of their communities by providing grants to local organizations. Groups applying must hold nonprofit status, be a recognized government entity, or a faith-based organization.
Date/Time: Rolling basis until Sunday Dec. 31
Link: Find guidelines and eligibility here!
HOME DEPOT COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT
Description: The Home Depot Foundation offers grants up to $5,000 to 501C organizations that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community.
Date/Time: Rolling basis until Sunday, Dec. 31
Link: Learn more here!
Sign-up and check the Grants and Resources box to receive trainings and other grant-related information each month.
Programming & EVENTS
URBAN PARK RANGER PROGRAMMING
For over 30 years the Urban Park Rangers have helped New Yorkers of all ages to discover the great outdoors, uncovering the natural wonders that exist right here in their own backyard. To find information about FREE hikes, campouts, canoe outings, fishing outings, bird tours, and workshops that enhance your outdoor skills, all offered in your neighborhood and across the city, check out the Urban Park Rangers Weekend Adventures.
WILDLIFENYC
Description: There us abundant wildlife in New York City – over 600 different species call the Big Apple home. From soaring hawks to curious coyotes, it’s no surprise that we encounter animals everywhere from our parks and greenspaces to our roads and roofs. WildlifeNYC is a campaign launched but the City of New York to increase public awareness about urban wildlife. After all, they’re New Yorkers, too! On the website you can report a sighting of healthy wildlife; as well as find information about upcoming wildlife programs adn volunteer opportunities. If you have questions about wildlife, please contact the NYC Park’s Wildlife Unit at (212) 360-1447.
Link: nyc.gov/wildlife
2017 PUPPETMOBILE: CINDERELLA SAMBA
Description: This spring and summer the PuppetMobile will present free performances of Cinderalla Samba in parks across the five boroughs! A modernized revue of the classic tale set in the lush landscape of Brazil, this timeless fairy tale finds Cinderella and her Prince in a Samba contest at the Carnival Ball. Keep an eye out for an upcoming performance in a park near you!
Link: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/arts/puppetmobile/
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES: MAY 2017
Description: Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park! NYC Parks will host family-friendly movie showings throughout the five boroughs. Movies begin at dusk. For more information visit nyc.gov/parks or call 311. Please see attached flyer for upcoming movies, dates and locations.
Link: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/film
NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS OPEN RUN
Description: Join New York Road Runners for free weekly runs in your neighborhood! Open to all ages and experience levels. Walkers, strollers, and dogs on leash are welcome.
Cost: Free, no advance registration required.
Link: http://openrun.nyrr.org/
SILVER LAKE PARK
Date/Time: Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at the lake bridge, down the hill from the intersection of Victory Blvd. and Eddy St.
CONFERENCE HOUSE PARK
Date/Time: Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Meet off Hylan Blvd., next to the parking lot, on the path that leads to the water
SHAPE UP NYC – STATEN ISLAND EXPANSION
Description: Shape Up NYC is a FREE citywide fitness program offering classes such as Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Kickboxing, and Senior Fitness! NYC Parks is looking to expand where these classes are offered throughout Staten Island. Please see the attached flyer for more information and host site requirements. If you are interested in hosting a class, please call (212) 360-3300 or email shapeupvolunteer@parks.nyc.gov.
Link: Learn more!
GREENBELT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DAY
Description: Have you always wanted to canoe? Or maybe, you’ve been meaning to go hiking, but are too nervous to try it out on your own? Worry no more! You can try these activities (and many others) at the first-ever Greenbelt Outdoor Adventure Day. This free, family-friendly outdoor recreation celebration will be held in the Greenbelt at Willowbrook Park.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 10, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Willowbrook Park
Link: For more information about this event and other upcoming events, please visit http://sigreenbelt.org/.
Best,
Stefanie Gutierrez | Stefanie.Gutierrez@parks.nyc.gov
Senior Outreach Coordinator, Staten Island
Carmine Raimondi | Carmine.Raimondi@parks.nyc.gov
Outreach Coordinator, Staten Island
Click here to subscribe to the Partnerships for Parks monthly newsletter.
