April 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
The three-acre Heather Garden is the site of our annual rite of spring – the Shearing of the Heather parade and community celebration in Fort Tryon Park!
Bring your musical instruments and join in our community parade through the Heather Garden led by traditional bagpipers. Learn why Fort Tryon Park has the largest heath and heather collection in the northeast. Make flower-themed crafts, take home your own propagated heathers, get your face painted, make some chalk art, chat with our gardeners, enjoy at tour of the Heather Garden, and celebrate spring while enjoying the garden’s beauty and panoramic views of the Hudson River and Palisades! Fun for all ages!
10AM – Bagpipe Parade Begins
10:30AM – Festivities Begin
12PM – Heather Garden Tour Begins
Refreshments Provided
April 19 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join volunteer Madeline Byrne for a guided tour of the world-famous Heather Garden at Fort Tryon Park! Explore the vibrant seasonal blooms, learn about the garden’s history and design, and discover the legacy of the Olmsted Brothers in this stunning urban oasis.
April 26 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Discover the Olmsted Brothers’ vision for the park, uncover the story of the now-infamous Tryon Hall, and explore the rich history that shaped this landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to step back in time and experience the park like never before!
Reserve Your Free Spot Here
Kids Week: Geology Rocks!
Monday, April 14, 2025
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Even when school’s out, our parks are still the city’s natural classroom! Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids Week during Spring Break. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. Learn all about the geological landscape of Manhattan.
Beautiful Fort Tryon Park commands sweeping views of the Palisades and the Hudson River from soaring cliffs of bedrock in northern Manhattan. Past encounters include a variety of birds such as Bald Eagles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Fort Tryon Park’s 67 acres are accessible to birders of all abilities and disabilities. Accessible-friendly routes including many well-paved walkways are suitable for birders with strollers, carriages, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. Accessibility is enhanced by birding guide and educator Alexandra Wang (Avian Alex), M.S. Ed., who offers augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) pamphlets, Braille pamphlets and plush birds for an inclusive birding tour. Further accommodations can be requested in advance by reaching out to Alex at alexmwang1992@gmail.com.
The group will meet at the main entrance of Fort Tryon Park on Margaret Corbin Circle. Registration not required but encouraged. No limit. Free.
Accessibility and Directions:
The M4 bus will take visitors to the main entrance at Margaret Corbin Circle. If you take the A train to 190th Street station and take the elevator up to Fort Washington Avenue, Margaret Corbin Circle will be on your right. The 175th Street A train station is an accessible station. Exit and take the M4 bus to Margaret Corbin Circle. There is an accessible restroom at the Bonnefont Restaurant. To learn more about Fort Tryon Park, please visit the NYC Parks website.
