The Bronx's parks run a full slate of free programs over Halloween week, and most of them need nothing more than showing up. Between Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, there is a haunted house in a Norwood recreation center, a 5K along the Bronx River, an animal tracking walk in Pelham Bay Park, mask-making in Crotona Park and a day of youth flag football in West Farms. Here are the details.

Friday night: the Williamsbridge Oval haunted house

The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center at 3225 Reservoir Oval East holds its annual haunted house on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. NYC Parks staff turn the building over to creaking stairs, cobwebs, ghouls, witches and ghosts. It is free and open to the public, with no registration, and it is recommended for children 10 and older.

The Oval's rec center runs regular free classes the same week as well, including Zumba Gold on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and low-impact dance fitness on Friday.

Saturday morning: a free 5K at Soundview Park

NYRR Open Run, New York Road Runners' free weekly community 5K, meets every Saturday at Soundview Park, and Halloween is no exception. The run goes from 8:45 to 11 a.m., starting at the park entrance at Lafayette Avenue and Morrison Avenue. Runners and walkers of any pace are welcome. The back half of the course follows the waterfront where the Bronx River meets the East River in the 205-acre park. Sign-up is free through NYRR.

Saturday midday: animal tracks in Pelham Bay Park

The Urban Park Rangers lead an Outdoor Skills hike on beginner wildlife tracking from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 31, starting at the Pelham Bay Nature Center near Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue. The walk covers how to read tracks, trails, feeding signs and habitat to work out which animals live in the city's largest park. Costumes are welcome, comfortable shoes are needed, and no registration is required. The nature center is at 718-319-7258.

Saturday afternoon: animal masks in Crotona Park

At 1 p.m., the Rangers at the Crotona Nature Center, at Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, run Autumn Animal Crafts and Exploration. Families make an animal mask inspired by the park's wildlife, then head out on a guided walk to meet the native species behind the masks. It is free, open to all ages and needs no registration, which makes it an option for children without a costume yet.

All day Saturday: flag football at Starlight Park

NYC Parks' youth flag football league plays every Saturday at the athletic field in Starlight Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the season has been running since Sept. 26. Boys play in 10U, 12U and 14U divisions, for ages 8 to 14, with teams from the St. James, Kwame Ture and Hunts Point recreation centers. Spectators are free to come watch. Families interested in joining can reach the St. James Recreation Center at 646-477-2642, Kwame Ture at 718-293-5934 or Hunts Point at 718-860-8844.

Before you go

Everything above is outdoors except the haunted house, so check the weather, and check the NYC Parks events calendar the day before for changes or cancellations.

Sources