Forest Park, the woods that stretch between Forest Hills, Glendale, Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, has four free programs between Sunday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Two are for families, and two put volunteers to work replanting the forest.

Fairy and Gnome Day, Sunday

The Forest Park Trust holds a Fairy and Gnome Day on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m., starting at Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Park Drive. There are crafts and a guided tour along a forest trail, and costumes are welcome. It is open to children ages 3 to 12 and is free.

A fall foliage tree ID hike, also Sunday

Earlier the same day, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Urban Park Rangers lead a fall foliage hike from Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South. The Rangers explain the science of why leaves change color and teach tree identification along the way, with maples, oaks and hickories among the species on the route. No registration is needed. The Rangers' number for the park is 718-846-2731.

Restoration Friday, Nov. 13

NYC Parks and the Forest Park Trust run Forest Restoration Fridays this fall. The Nov. 13 session goes from 10 a.m. to noon and meets at the Buddy Monument, near Park Lane South and Myrtle Avenue. The work is invasive species removal, trail restoration and possibly some planting. Registration is required, tools are provided and no experience is needed. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle.

Native planting, Saturday, Nov. 14

On Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., NYC Parks, the Forest Park Trust and the Natural Areas Conservancy hold a planting at the same Buddy Monument meeting point. Volunteers add native trees and shrubs to the forest understory, the layer beneath the canopy, and staff talk about how the park's forest health is monitored and what it takes to keep the canopy healthy. Registration is required and all tools are supplied.

Getting there

For the Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South meeting points, the Q55 bus runs along Myrtle Avenue, and the J train stops at 85th Street-Forest Parkway and Woodhaven Boulevard, a short walk north of the park along Jamaica Avenue. For Fairy and Gnome Day, the Q54 bus runs along Metropolitan Avenue. Registration links for the two volunteer sessions are on their NYC Parks event pages, and the Forest Park Trust answers questions at 718-235-4100.

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