OTHER TOURS

Monday, June 23

Central Park Birdwalk (7:00 – 8:30am)
Central Park's 840 acres provide prime habitat for both migrants and city-birds in the heart of the city. Join Sarah Elliott, long-time Central Park naturalist, for an early morning bird and nature walk through some of the park's best birding spots, including the world-famous Ramble. Participants will experience the park's flora and fauna, from woodlands and spring flowers to Baltimore orioles, cat birds, and New York's very-own red-tailed hawks. Binoculars will be made available to participants.

Wednesday, June 25

The High Line: A Unique Open Space Opportunity (1:00 – 2:00pm) SOLD OUT!
Built in the 1930s as an elevated passageway for freight trains, the High Line runs for 1.45 miles along the edge of the Hudson River, from 34th Street, through West Chelsea, and into the heart of the Meat Packing District – its tracks, which weave in and out of the warehouses it served, now overgrown with native grasses and wildflowers. Since 1999, Friends of the High Line, a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation and reuse, has advocated for its transformation into a one-of-a-kind recreational amenity: a grand, public promenade that can be enjoyed by all residents and visitors in New York City (a la Paris's Promenade Plantée.) In December 2002, the City of New York took the first step towards the High Line's reuse, filing for an interim trail use certificate through the federally sanctioned railbanking program known as Rails-to-Trails. Tour participants will explore an upper section of this neglected landmark and will learn about the plans and process for its renewal.

World Trade Center Site & Lower Manhattan (1:00 – 3:00pm)
The World Trade Center site and surrounding area will be undergoing massive changes in the coming years, much of it centered around parks and memorials. This tour will include a descent into the site itself, as well as an exploration of the larger Lower Manhattan area, including: a proposed site for a new public market, the convergence of Manhattan's oldest and newest parks and proposed sites for future parks and public spaces.