City of Water Day seeks to raise awareness of the region’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Today, more than one million people in our region face direct risks from coastal flooding.
NYC Ferry is proud to be the official transportation sponsor of City of Water Day as we are committed to supporting New York’s waterways and community organizations throughout the five boroughs. Sail with NYC Ferry and explore the many events happening throughout the city.
Check out these events found near NYC Ferry landings:
Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
The Jamaica Bay Festival is a free, fun, family event taking place in Brooklyn and Queens. The Festival celebrates those who share our vision to champion the spirit of the Jamaica Bay community, the unparalleled opportunities and the natural beauty of this urban tidal estuary. Participants can enjoy free kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, bird watching, art, nature and more.
There will be more than 20 events under the Jamaica Bay Festival umbrella – they will come out with an in-depth guide soon. For now, on their site they just have a basic map showing the locations where events are expected: http://www.jbrpc.org/jamaica-bay-festival
Randall’s Island Park Alliance Manhattan, The Bronx
Explore Harlem, Randall’s Island, and the Bronx River Waterfront on a biking tour led by bike advocates, waterfront experts, and community leaders who will share their knowledge along the way! This two-hour tour (beginning at 11am) will highlight the challenges, changes, and opportunities for creating more equitable public access and resiliency opportunities along our waterfronts. The event will end in a community garden where lunch will be provided by a local business. Visit here to reserve a spot: https://tinyurl.com/4nhn4env.
Gowanus Canal Conservancy Brooklyn
Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s event will include 5 stations, “Explore the Gowanus Ecosystem,” “Gowanus Canal Water Quality,” “Become an Advocate,” “Climate Change Adaptations,” and “Visualizing the Connectivity of NYC’s Waterways.” This event will be facilitated and led by the GCC Green Team, a group of youth (grades 10-12) who participate in their Green Jobs Apprenticeship Program!
Rocking the Boat, The Bronx
To celebrate not only City of Water Day but Rocking the Boat’s 25th year of youth development programming, the organization is planning three special, interactive activities to engage the public, all highlighting projects Rocking the Boat participants are involved in that build resiliency and address climate change. Rowers will collect trash in the Bronx River from Rocking the Boat’s fleet of student-built rowboats; visitors can visit a new seaweed farm and learn about the research project’s impacts and uses; and a storytelling event about oceans and the ecology of the Bronx River!
Hudson River Community Sailing Manhattan
Interested in sailing for the first time? Hudson River Community Sailing is offering a day of free sails for New Yorkers at their Inwood and Chelsea locations! Their main objective is to provide safe and positive one-hour sails to members of the NYC community, especially those who do not traditionally get out on the water. Walk-up sign ups will be offered, but look out for pre-registration in July.
Staten Island Urban Center, Staten Island
Staten Island Urban Center will host “We Are A Waterfront: From One Island to Another – Staten Island to Governors Island,” a celebration of our clean waterways and ferries that give us public access. Celebrations at Tompkinsville Park and at Governor’s Island will take place using with live music, performance, storytelling and participatory art and action. Both celebrations/action centers will be presented live in-person and simulcasted live stream on social media.
Bronx River Alliance, The Bronx
Join Bronx River Alliance for a holistic day celebrating their waterfront park and participating in dialogue with local Bronx community members about resiliency in the face of climate change! The following activities will be included: canoeing paddle and pick up; footway tour; hydration station; eastern woodlands exhibit; community art project; informational tabling for the BxR Watershed Plan; and fisheries resiliency education tabling from Riverkeeper! Registration required only for the paddle and pick up event, https://tinyurl.com/2nwhywbp
Hunters Point Parks Conservancy Queens
Join Hunters Point Parks Conversancy and their partners for a City of Water Day celebration! This event will highlight the history, ecology, and ongoing cultural and recreational significance of Newtown Creek and the East River through performances, environmental education, and boating. Native American elders will give talks and performances in the park; Newtown Creek Alliance will provide hands-on environmental education on marine ecology and water quality; NBCB will take groups out on the water in their large canoes! Keep an eye out here for boating registration to open up: https://tinyurl.com/fz2vuc7a
RETI Center, Brooklyn
RETI Center and GBX~ Gowanus Bay Terminal are hosting an unforgettable event for City of Water Day from 11-4pm. Join them to help build and launch a floating garden that incorporates marsh grasses, mussels, oysters and kelp that’s built entirely of salvaged and sustainable materials like scaffolding planks, reclaimed fishing nets, wine corks, salvage steel, and more. All skill levels and ages welcome. Refreshments, all tools and supplies will be provided. Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/3tn9eu36
Red Hook Boaters, Brooklyn
Come out for free walk-up kayaking in the Lower New York Harbor from 1pm to 4pm, no experience required! You will arrive, put your name on a list, and then take a kayak out for a short paddle to explore the cove at your own pace (you will get a little wet). Staff provide the necessary on-water and on-land instruction and safety support. Paddlers are free to explore the protected cove at their own pace and enjoy harbor views and wildlife of the estuary, but rides are limited to 15-20 minutes at a time to give everyone a chance. Before or after trip, it’s requested that you join in a beach cleanup, removing trash that has washed ashore. There will be Single (1 person) kayaks, and Tandem (2 person) kayaks; small children are welcome if they ride with their parents or guardians.
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, The Bronx
Join the BCEQ for a multi-site in-person event on the High Bridge, Roberto Clemente State Park, Henry Hudson Bridge at Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park, and other places on the Bronx side of the Harlem River. Attendees will split up into different groups, and can participate in a history walk-and-talk, gardening, trash collection, and more. The day will begin at 10am to 12 for site specific activities, ending at Roberto Clemente State Park for light refreshments and discussion from 1pm to 3pm. Stay tuned for registration details!
Learn more about City of Water Day here.