Events at parks and rec centers

Parks and Recreation in Queens

Puppetry, dancing, biking, tea and more at World’s Borough green spaces

by Naeisha Rose

Associate Editor

Spring is finally here, and what better way to soak in the sunshine or meet new people than enjoying activities in green spaces or swinging by recreational centers throughout the World’s Borough?

Lost Battalion Hall

The Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center in Rego Park is offering dance classes to help seniors swing into the spring season. On April 14, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 93-29 Queens Blvd. the classes will help the young at heart find their groove again. For more details call (718) 896-8511 or email jesschin@qchnyc.org.

The recreation center will also help the 60 and over release stress from their minds and bodies with Tai Chi lessons on April 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

At the center, seniors could learn cultural dances on April 25 from 2 to 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the program is to help assisting with movement and fluidity, according to the Parks Department.

On May 5, the center will have four art classes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., teaching guests four distinctive styles.

Al Oerter Recreation Center

Like music? Looking to stay fit? Shinzuyo Zayo, a Zumba instructor at Al Oerter Recreation Center, will start teaching dance fitness classes every Saturday April 16 from 9 to 10 a.m.

“She uses pop music for routines,” said a spokeswoman for the recreation center. “Her classes fill up the whole gym with 30 to as much as 50 people.”

The Downtown Flushing recreation center is located at 131-40 Fowler Ave.

Cunningham Park

Are you a bikehead? While it may not be as competitive as the Tour de France, a woodland bike tour through Cunningham Park, which is sandwiched between Fresh Meadows and Oakland Gardens, may be a far more picturesque way to spend the day. If interested in the April 16 excursion, registration information can be found at nycgovparks.org/ events/2022/04/16/woodland-biketour. The cycling affair is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the meet-up spot is at Union Turnpike and 196th Street. Thinking about getting a green thumb? What better way to get a start than planting a tree in the lush forest of Cunningham Park on April 23 or 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Parks Department’s Stewardship team will teach the proper technique for planting trees and those who are interested in volunteering at the event, which is at the 210th Street Playground on 73rd Avenue, are asked to wear sturdy boots, long pants and clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty. Youths under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone and face masks may be worn at one’s own discretion. Email stewardship@ parks.nyc.gov for more details.

“Trees provide so many benefits to New Yorkers such as improved air and water quality, reduced pollution, and lower energy costs,” according to the Parks Department.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing Meadows Corona Park continues its annual Earth Week Series and it will kick off ahead of Earth Day, April 22, which coincides with Spring Break (April 15 to 22) for New York City public schoolchildren.

“There will be events running from April 17 to April 24, with various activities for volunteers to participate in — from plantings to shoreline cleanups and more!” said Sarah Khan, the stewardship coordinator at the Parks Department.

On April 17 there will be a bird walk along the Pat Dolan Trail, at the park located between Grand Central Parkway and the Van Wyck Expressway. There will be bird blind maintenance and a lakeside cleanup at Ederle Terrace on April 18. On April 19 there will Meadow Lake Boathouse perimeter maintenance and Rocket Thrower area maintenance. Volunteers can return to Meadow Lake for a rain garden planting on April 20. The Henry Hudson Entrance will need some tender, loving and care on April 21, which is when there will also be more bird activities at the park’s boathouse. On Earth Day, there will a bird planting at Meadow Lake. A shoreline cleanup is scheduled for April 23 at Flushing Bay. A final planting will be at Willow Lake on April 24.

“Show your support for environmental preservation and FMCP by coming out and volunteering with us. All ages are welcomed and no experience is necessary.”

To learn more details about the events at FMCP visit allianceforfmcp.org/stewardship. If interested in volunteering at the park register at forms.gle/LynGsXyNZUzJf4H48.

After Earth Week, The Japanese American Association of New York will host a Japanese Cherry Tree Celebration at FMCP’s Cherry Grove on April 30 with dance, Taiko drums and a tea ceremony, according to the Queens Tourism Council.

“We will also perform a marching song,” said a spokeswoman of JAA. “The Japanese Consulate General will also come from Japan.”

Dutch Kills Playground

The Central Astoria Local Development Corp., a community organization dedicated to enhancing Astoria, will host a children’s event on April 19 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at the Dutch Kills Playground at 36th Avenue and Crescent Street. A puppet show will kick things off, followed by a musical performance at 1 p.m. and arts and crafts at will start at 2 p.m. To learn more call (718) 728-7820 or email centralastoria@aol.com.

Forest Park

At Forest Park folks will have the chance to explore nature and plant trees. Guests will meet at 10 a.m. at the Forest Park Visitor Center at Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive.

“Join the Urban Park Rangers and the Forest Park Trails Crew for a light hike around Strack Pond: a haven for wildlife, trees and other plants,” said a Parks Department spokeswoman. “The Trails Crew will lead a tree-planting activity, so that participants may give back to the park and help grow a thriving forest for all to enjoy.”

Go to nycgovparks.org/programs/ manage-your-programs-account to register.

The Japanese American Association of New York will host a Cherry Tree Celebration at Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s Cherry Grove on April 30. There will be a tea ceremony, dance and music, featuring Taiko or traditional drums from the East Asian country. PHOTO COURTESY ALLIANCE FOR FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK

Rufus King Park

King Manor Museum, a historic house, on a Colonial-era estate in Jamaica that is now Rufus King Park, located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave., will host several events at the green space.

There will be a free book fair with organizations Reading for Black Lives and the BlaQue Resource Network on April 24, according to Kelsey Brow, executive director of King Manor. Councilman James Gennaro will host an e-waste recycling event on May 5. On May 28, the park will host a painting party with Mural Project NYC. All aforementioned events will be from 12 to 4 p.m.

King Manor will also host a two-day festival featuring arts, artisans and a variety of local small businesses representing multiple cultures throughout the World’s Borough on June 3 and 4 from 12 to 5 p.m.