2013
Battery Park City’s Parks
Battery Park City Authority and
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
1
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s activities
connect people with the parks as well as with
each other. Parks Programming Leaders plan
and facilitate activities, and encourage all to
participate. Programs are free unless noted.
2
Enjoy music, storytelling, dancing, art, fishing, nature talks,
bird watching, sports, and play programs from May 1 through
October 31. Visit www.bpcparks.org for information about the
parks, ball fields, and the Community Center at Stuyvesant
High School.
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PLACES
BPC Ball Fields are available for organized groups
by permit only, and available to all for informal
recreational use. Please visit www.bpcparks.org for a
permit application and scheduling information or call
the ball fields coordinator at 646‑210-4571.
The Community Center at Stuyvesant High
School, managed by BPC Parks Conservancy,
offers badminton, yoga, tennis, and more for all
ages. The Community Center is open year-round
evenings and weekends when school is not in
session. For information, visit www.ccshs.org or
call: 646‑210‑4292.
Stre
et
rty
Libe
n St
th E
Rive
r Te
rrac
CCSHS
Community Center at
Stuyvesant High School
4
North Esplanade
ven
ue
River Terrace
e
NRP
Nelson A.
Rockefeller Park
nd A
Ves
e
Nor
y St
reet
War
re
Cha
mbe
reet
rs S
tree
t
BPC
Ball Fields
Murray Street
West Street
RPH
Rockefeller
Park House
The Terrace
TDP
Teardrop Park
Teardrop
Park
South
Ferries
IHM
Irish Hunger Memorial
6 River Terrace
Winter
Garden
North Cove
Police Memorial
Kowsky Plaza
WFC Plaza
EP
Esplanade Plaza
Bus, ferry, and PATH train
service is also available.
Historic
Battery Park
Little West Str
eet
er
ce
tt
Ba
t Pla
ond
Plac
e
yP
ce
l ac
e
of
Firs
Rector Pla
ue
rA
Sec
e
Thir
d Pla
Aven
u
Wes
t
End
ce
South
Tha
mes
t
F e rry to Sta
Pie
Albany Street
Stre
Li
et
be
West Street
rty
Rector
City Hall: R, 4, 5, 6
Rector Street: R, 1
Wall Street: 2, 3, 4, 5
Whitehall: R
Morris
Street
Ward S
treet
Street
Stree
t
Alban
y
Nearby subway stops:
Bowling Green: 4, 5
Brooklyn Bridge: 4, 5, 6
Chambers Street: A, C, E,
1, 2, 3, J, Z
PLACES
Transportation
Rockefeller Park House lends a variety of
recreation supplies. Present photo ID to
borrow toys, books, and games. Play pool,
ping pong, and other games for all ages at the
Park House. Open 11 am–6:30 pm, seven
days a week, May – October.
WP
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
RPW
Rector Park West
RPE
Rector Park East
WTP
West Thames Park
BPCPC Headquarters
75 Battery Place
SC
South Cove
H Art Installations
Restrooms
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PROGRAMS
PRESCHOOL
Parent & Baby Yoga*
Mondays, June 3-24, $86
Mondays, Sept 9–Oct 28 (except 10/14) $150,
1–2:15 pm or 2:30–3:45 pm, 6 River Terrace
Yoga for new parents and babies (newborn until
crawling).
Preschool Art
Thursdays (except 7/4), 10:30 am-noon, NRP
Very young artists are introduced to paper, clay,
wood, and paint with projects planned by an art
educator/artist. Dress for a mess!
Preschool Play
Mondays (except 5/27, 9/2, and 10/14), 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.
Soccer for Preschoolers
Tuesdays, 2:30–3:15 pm, NRP
Have fun kicking, running, and learning the basics
of soccer. For children age 3-4. Close-toed shoes
required.
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* Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700.
Stories & Songs*
Mondays, Sept 9-Dec 16 (except 10/14 and 11/11)
or Wednesdays, Sept 11-Dec 4, mornings, $275,
6 River Terrace
For children 6 months to 3.5 years old and
accompanying adults. Musicians lead interactive
singing and music-making each week.
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.
Young Sprouts Gardening is funded in part by a generous
grant from Shake Shack, Battery Park City
Art+Games
Thursdays (except 7/4), 3:30–5:30 pm, NRP
Join other school-age children for art and lawn
games. For children 5 years and older.
Children’s Basketball
Gardening Club*
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm, NRP. $130 per 2-month cycle or
$350 for three seasons.
For children ages 6-10. Soil preparation, planting
flowers, vegetables and herbs, watering, weeding,
and composting introduce children to BPCPC’s
innovative green practices.
Mondays (except 5/27, 9/2, 10/14), 5-6 year olds:
3:30-4:30 pm; 7 years and older: 4:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Basketball with adjustable height hoops for kids
of all sizes, plus fun drills to improve your skills.
Close-toed shoes required.
Marine Education*
Drop-In Chess
The program is supported in part by a generous grant from
The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.
Wednesdays, May 1-Sept 25, 3:30-5 pm, NRP
Drop in to play the popular strategy game and get
pointers and advice from an expert.
PROGRAMS
SCHOOL-AGE KIDS
Free for school groups; grades 4-12. Participate
in catch-and-release fishing and learn the history,
ecology, and environmental issues affecting the
Hudson River estuary.
Explorers’ Club*
Mondays, May 6-June 24 (except 5/27) $140, and
Sept 9-Oct 28 (except 10/8) $140, 4-5:30 pm.
6 River Terrace.
Explore the natural world of plants, weather and
animals that surround us in the park. For 1st-3rd
graders. Offered spring and fall.
* Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700.
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PROGRAMS
Soccer for Elementary Schoolers
Tuesdays, 3:30-4:15 pm (age 5-7); 4:30-5:30 pm
(age 8-11), NRP
Learn to pass and shoot, and improve skills
through drills and scrimmages. Close-toed shoes
required.
EARLY TEENS/TEENS
Art Portfolio Development-Middle School*
Mondays-Thursdays, July 8–25. 10 am-1 pm. $450,
includes supplies. 6 River Terrace
Have fun while creating a portfolio for applying to
specialized art high schools. Improve skills while
using a variety of art materials. Learn to give and
receive supportive critiques from peers in a small
class setting.
Art Portfolio Development-High School*
Mondays and Wednesdays, July 8–24. 2:30–
5:30 pm, $225, includes supplies. 6 River Terrace
Prepare a portfolio of work for art school
admission, or make art for pure enjoyment.
Teen Drumming Circle
Wednesdays in Teardrop
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 pm, TDP
Join other school-age children for neighborhood
games and art projects, ranging from designing
fantasy cities to making animal headdresses. Art
supplies provided. For ages 5 and older.
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Tuesdays, June 18–Aug 27, 4-5:30 pm, NRP
Drop in on a weekly drumming circle led by master
drummer Maguette Camara from Senegal. Drums
provided.
Drop-in Chess
Wednesdays, May 1-Sept 25, 3:30-5pm, NRP
Drop in to play the popular strategy game and get
pointers and advice from an expert.
* Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700.
Garden Tours
Drawing in the Park
Saturdays (except 5/25, 8/31, 10/12), 10 am-noon, SC
Sketch and paint the Hudson River and parks with
an artist/educator. Materials provided.
Wednesdays May 15, June 12, Sept 18 and Oct 16,
1 pm, WP
Tour the gardens of Wagner Park with BPCPC’s
horticulturists and learn about the Park’s
innovations in organic gardening on a public scale.
PROGRAMS
ADULTS
Elements of Nature Drawing
Wednesdays, 11 am-1 pm, WP
Enjoy drawing in the gardens with an artist/
educator. Materials provided.
Figure al Fresco
Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30 pm, SC
Learn figure drawing outdoors with a clothed
model and an artist/educator. Materials provided.
Tai Chi
Fridays, May 3-Oct 25 (except 5/24, 8/30, 10/11),
8:30-9:30 am, EP
Learn the ancient Chinese martial art. No
experience necessary.
Volleyball After Work
Art Portfolio Development
Wednesdays, June 5-Sept 25, 6-7:30 pm, EP
Join other adults for good-natured games.
Scorekeeper and balls provided. No experience
necessary.
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PROGRAMS
ALL AGES/FAMILIES
Almost Summer Celebration
Sunday, June 9, 11 am - 2 pm, WP
Enjoy a multicultural celebration featuring a family
concert by Grammy winner Dan Zanes and
Elizabeth Mitchell, Native American stories, and
art and nature activities for all ages. See page 14.
Co-presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of
the American Indian, Museum of Jewish Heritage – A
Living Memorial to the Holocaust, and the Battery Park City
Authority and Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
Family Dances
Select Saturdays, 6:30-8 pm, EP
Energetic, joyful community dancing for all ages.
No partners or experience necessary.
May 18, Bluegrass Family Dance. James Reams
& the Barnstormers play foot-stomping bluegrass.
Dance caller Eric Hollman leads the square dancing.
Friday, June 21, Swedish Midsummer Family
Dance. Paul Dahlin and fiddlers. Ross Sutter
leads traditional folk dancing. Please see page 15.
Bird Watching
Saturdays, Sept 21, Oct 5 and Oct 19, 11 am, WP
Join a birder/naturalist to learn about the variety of
birds that nest and rest in the parks. Novice birders
welcome. Binoculars and field guides available.
Raptors: Birds of Prey
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Saturday, May 11, 11 am-1:30 pm, WP
Visit with falcons, hawks, and
owls from Theodore Roosevelt
Sanctuary & Audubon Center,
and learn about their unique
anatomy and the adaptations
that make them formidable
hunters.
Brady Rymer, May 11
Liliana Araújo, July 13
July 13, Brazilian Family Dance. Liliana Araújo
and her band perform forró music from rural
Brazil. Dance caller Marizete Brown and her
dancers lead the dancing.
PROGRAMS
August 17, East Indian Bhangra Family Dance.
DJ Rekha leads the musical party accompanied
by drummers and dancers. Learn the basics of
bhangra, a fusion of traditional Punjabi-style folk
dance and music that celebrate the harvest with
Western hip-hop and rock.
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, bird watching, and performances.
Family Performances at Go Fish!
Music at 12:30 pm
May 11, Grammy nominee Brady Rymer and
the Little Band That Could plays rockin’ music.
Sept 21, Hudson River Valley artists Arm-ofthe-Sea Theater present “The Rejuvenary River
Circus” with giant puppets, beautifully handpainted sets, and live music.
Resonating Bodies, 1996, Tony Cragg
Public Art Tours
Saturdays, May 11, June 1, Sept 28 and Sunday,
June 9. Please see Daily Calendar for time/location.
Join a contemporary art historian for tours of
Battery Park City’s public art collection.
River & Blues
Oct 5, The fun, lively music of Moona Luna is a
bilingual fiesta with a Latin beat. Dance along!
Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm, WP
Enjoy summer evenings listening to Blues music
while the sun sets over the Hudson River.
Oct 19, The Suzi Shelton Band entertains
with fun, original music like “Tomboy in a
Princess Dress”.
July 18, John Hammond, Blues Hall of Fame
musician and his powerful band, play Grammy
winning Delta Blues with passion and force.
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PROGRAMS
July 25, Christian Scott, trumpet sensation and
his band, play original compositions inspired by
his New Orleans roots, and rock and hip-hop
music of his current NYC home.
sticks, ferns and pinecones collected in the parks.
Participants will also make wings, transforming
themselves and Teardrop Park into a veritable
land of fairies.
Aug 1, Bill Sims, Jr., veteran Blues singersongwriter combines his keyboard and guitar
prowess with a warm baritone voice.
Aug 8, The Wiyos combine critically-acclaimed
“old-timey” rambling blues, folk and swing with a
touch of psychedelic surf music to create a unique
Americana style.
River Swims
May 25, Great Hudson River Swim
June 8, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim
Aug 10, Manhattan Island Relays
Opportunities to swim in the Hudson River.
Co-sponsored by Manhattan Island Foundation.
For information, visit www.nycswim.org.
Stories For All Ages
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Saturdays, 11 am, TDP
May 18, Fairy Day! Enchanted Fairies &
Elves. Storyteller Rita Auerbach tells fairy tales
from around the world. Hear about mysterious
beings that protect nature and inhabit woods,
sky, streams and parks. Make fairy houses with
Sunita S. Mukhi, Aug 17
August 17, Monkeys, Mangoes and Magic: Tales
from India. Embark on an adventure through India
and Asia lead by storyteller Sunita S. Mukhi.
Sunset Jam on the Hudson
Fridays, July 5-Aug 23, 6:30-8 pm, WP
Join a drumming circle led by master drummers.
Improvise on African, Latin, and Caribbean
rhythms. Instruments provided, or bring your own.
PROGRAMS
Sunset Singing Circle
Fridays, May 3-June 28 (except 5/24 and 6/21),
7-8:30 pm, WP
Sing together! Share rounds and folk songs. No
experience necessary. All ages welcome. Bring a
favorite song. Led by folksinger Terre Roche.
Walks & Talks
June 2, Terra Nova. Landscape Ecologist Eric
Sanderson discusses his new book, Terra Nova:
The New World After Oil, Cars, and Suburbs.
Envision a new American landscape less
dependent upon oil. A book signing will follow
the talk.
Oct 6, New York City of Trees. Photographer
and author Benjamin Swett discusses his new
book about personal, public, and historical events
embodied in dozens of New York trees. A guided
look at trees in the park follows the illustrated talk
and book signing.
© Benjamin Swett
Sundays, 2 pm, 6 River Terrace
May 19, River as Muse. Rivers are symbolic of
renewal, enduring life, journeys and the passing
of time. Poet Jon Curley will read and discuss
poems connected to New York City’s own rivers.
Indoors at 6 River Terrace
Stories & Songs
Parent & Baby Yoga
Explorers’ Club
Block Play
Indoor Preschool Play & Art
Illustrated Talks for Adults
Chess Lessons
Party and Event Rentals
Visit www.bpcparks.org or call 212-267-9700 for
information.
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Almost
Summer
celebration
Sunday, June 9, 11 am -2 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
with a family concert by Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell
Art projects and stories, 11 am – 2 pm
Concert, 12 noon
Get ready for summer at a multicultural celebration featuring Grammy winner
Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell, Native American stories, lawn games, art
and nature activities for all ages.
Food and beverages available. Picnicking encouraged!
In case of rain, the event will be held in the Museum of Jewish Heritage’s
Edmond J. Safra Hall.
Co-presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian,
Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, and the
Battery Park City Authority and Parks Conservancy.
H ugh L . C arey
14
B attery P ark
City Authority
Swedish
Midsummer
Festival
Friday, June 21, 5-8 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Family Dance: 6:30-8 pm
Celebrate the solstice and rejoice in the longest
day of the year. Decorate the maypole and
learn folk dances from Barnklubben Elsa Rix
and Swedish Folkdancers of New York. Make
midsummer wreaths. Enjoy a parade, children’s
games and Swedish delicacies.
Traditional music by Paul Dahlin and fiddlers
from the American Swedish Institute in
Minneapolis. Dances led by Ross Sutter, singer
and Scandinavian forklorist.
For more information, visit www.bpcparks.org or
www.nycmidsummer.com.
Note: In accordance with New York City law, alcoholic
beverages are not allowed in the parks.
Swedish Midsummer Festival is
co-sponsored by the Consulate
General of Sweden, New York.
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River & Blues
July 18
John Hammond
Band
August 1
Bill Sims, Jr.
July 25
Christian Scott
Quintet
August 8
The Wiyos
©Kiel Adrian Scott
Enjoy summer
evenings listening
to great Blues
music while the
sun sets over the
Hudson River.
Bring family and
friends to these
fun, free concerts
on the lawn.
Thursdays, 7 pm
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Morning
6/9, 11 am-2 pm, WP
Family Concert at 12 pm with Elizabeth Mitchell and Dan Zanes
© Laura Levine
Almost Summer Celebration
DAILY CALENDAR
Sunday
Afternoon
Public Art Tour
Walks & Talks
6/9
5/19
6/2
10/6
Irish Hunger Memorial, 2 pm, IHM
River as Muse, 2 pm, 6 River Terrace
Terra Nova, 2 pm, 6 River Terrace
New York City of Trees, 2 pm, 6 River Terrace
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DAILY CALENDAR
MONday
Morning
Art Portfolio Dev.-Middle School* 7/8-7/25, 10 am-1 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/1-10/28 (except 5/27, 9/2, 10/14), 10 am-noon, WP
Preschool Play
9/9-12/16 (except 10/14 and 11/11), morning, 6 River Terrace ($)
Stories & Songs*
Afternoon
Art Portfolio Dev.-High School*
Children’s Basketball
Explorers’ Club*
Parent & Baby Yoga*
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7/8-7/24, 2:30-5:30 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/6-10/28 (except 5/27, 9/2, 10/14), 3:30-5:30 pm, NRP
5/6-6/24 (except 5/27) and 9/9-10/28 (except 10/14), 4-5:30 pm,
6 River Terrace ($)
6/3-6/24 and 9/9-10/28 (except 10/14), 1–2:15 pm or 2:30–3:45 pm,
6 River Terrace ($)
*Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700. • ($) Fee for this program.
Morning
Art Portfolio Dev.-Middle School* 7/8-7/25, 10 am-1 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/7-10/29, 10 am-noon, WP
Preschool Play
DAILY CALENDAR
Tuesday
Afternoon
Gardening Club*
Soccer for Preschoolers
Soccer for Elementary Schoolers
Teen Drumming Circle
Young Sprouts Gardening
5/7-10/29, 4-5 pm, NRP ($)
5/7-10/29, 2:30-3:15 pm (age 3-4),
5/7-10/29, 3:30-4:15 pm (age 5-7), 4:30-5:30 pm (age 8-11), NRP
6/18-8/27, 4-5:30 pm, NRP
5/7-10/29, 3:15-3:45 pm, NRP
*Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700. • ($) Fee for this program.
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DAILY CALENDAR
Wednesday
Morning
Art Portfolio Dev.-Middle School*
Elements of Nature Drawing
Preschool Play
Stories & Songs*
7/8-7/25, 10 am-1 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/1-10/30, 11 am-1 pm, WP
5/1-10/30, 10 am-noon, WP
9/11-12/4, morning, 6 River Terrace ($)
Afternoon
Art Portfolio Dev.-High School*
Drop-In Chess
Figure al Fresco
Garden Tours
Wednesdays in Teardrop
7/8-7/24, 2:30-5:30 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/1-9/25, 3:30-5 pm, NRP
5/1-10/30, 2:30-4:30 pm, SC
5/15, 6/12, 9/18, 10/16, 1 pm, WP
5/1-10/30, 3:30-5:30 pm, TDP
Evening
Volleyball After Work
20
6/5-9/25, 6-7:30 pm, EP
*Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700. • ($) Fee for this program.
Morning
Art Portfolio Dev.-Middle School* 7/8-7/25, 10 am-1 pm, 6 River Terrace ($)
5/2-10/31 (except 7/4), 10:30 am-noon, NRP
Preschool Art
DAILY CALENDAR
Thursday
Afternoon
Art + Games
5/2-10/31 (except 7/4), 3:30-5:30 pm, NRP
Evening
River & Blues, 7-8:30 pm, WP
7/18 John Hammond Band
7/25 Christian Scott Quintet
8/1 Bill Sims, Jr.
8/8 The Wiyos
*Pre-registration required, call 212-267-9700. • ($) Fee for this program.
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DAILY CALENDAR
Friday
Morning
Tai Chi
5/3-10/25 (except 5/24, 8/30, 10/11), 8:30-9:30 am, EP
Evening
Sunset Jam on the Hudson
Sunset Singing Circle
Swedish Midsummer Festival
22
7/5-8/23, 6:30-8 pm, WP
5/3-6/28 (except 5/24 and 6/21), 7-8:30 pm, WP
6/21, 5-8 pm, WP
Morning
Bird Watching
Raptors: Birds of Prey
Drawing in the Park
Go Fish!
Great Hudson River Swim
Manhattan Island Swim
Manhattan Island Relays
Public Art Tour
Stories for All Ages
9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11 am, WP
5/11, 11 am-1:30 pm, WP
5/4-10/26 (except 5/25, 8/31, 10/12), 10 am-noon, SC
5/11, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 10 am-2 pm, WP
5/25, 11:35 am, Christopher St to North Cove
6/8, 7:40 am, SC
8/10, 9:55 am, SC
5/11, 11 am, Wagner Park, WP
5/18 Fairy Day! Enchanted Fairies and Elves, 11 am, TDP
8/17 Monkeys, Mangoes and Magic: Tales from India, 11 am, TDP
DAILY CALENDAR
Saturday
Afternoon
Go Fish Family Performances,
12:30pm, WP
Public Art Tour
5/11 Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
9/21 Rejuvenary River Circus by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater
10/5 Moona Luna Latin music
10/19The Suzi Shelton Band
6/1 Teardrop Park, 2 pm, TDP
9/28 The Real World, 2 pm, NRP
Evening
Family Dances, 6:30-8 pm, EP
5/18 Bluegrass Family Dance
7/13 Brazilian Family Dance
8/17 East Indian Bhangra Family Dance
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H ugh L . C arey
B attery P ark
City Authority
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
75 Battery Place
New York, NY 10280
212-267-9700
www.bpcparks.org
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
NEW YORK, NY
PERMIT NO. 408