Van Cortlandt Park's fall volunteer season reaches its last week. Three weekly work crews that have been restoring wetlands, trails and forest in the park since spring and early fall each hold their final session of the year between Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Friday, Oct. 30, and the Urban Park Rangers follow on Sunday with a free hike for people who would rather look than dig.

All four are free. The crews provide tools, gloves and training, and no experience is needed.

Wednesday: Wetland Wednesdays at Van Cortlandt Lake

The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance closes out its Wetland Wednesdays on Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers cut back phragmites, the invasive common reed that crowds native plants out of the wetlands along Van Cortlandt Lake, and plant native willows and shrubs at the restoration sites as the plants arrive.

The crew meets outside the alliance's offices at the Van Cortlandt Golf House, next to the bathrooms. Phragmites stems are sharp and the ground is wet, so long sleeves, long pants and boots are required. The session is limited to 30 volunteers, ages 15 and up, with a signed waiver for minors. Sign-up is by date through the alliance's Bloomerang Volunteer page, and groups of six or more should email noel@vancortlandt.org first.

Thursday: the last Trail Work Thursday

Trail Work Thursdays have run every week since May 7, and the season's final session is Oct. 29. Volunteers meet at 9 a.m. sharp at the alliance's Learning Garden, 6000 Mosholu Avenue, across from the Riverdale Stables; work starts at 9:15 and runs to noon.

The work is trail upkeep: clearing debris and overgrowth, keeping the paths safe and accessible, and closing the informal desire lines that cut across the woods. Wear closed-toed shoes and bring water and a snack. RSVP is through Eventbrite, and this one is limited to groups of five or fewer; larger groups can arrange a separate session through stewardship@vancortlandt.org.

Friday: Forest Fridays on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail

The last Forest Friday is Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, along the southern section of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The task is pulling invasive bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose by hand so native trees, shrubs and wildflowers can return.

Meet at the public restroom building inside the Classic Playground, at Van Cortlandt Park South and Gouverneur Avenue. The same rules as Wednesday apply: long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes, ages 15 and up, 30 volunteers per session, and sign-up by date on Bloomerang Volunteer.

Sunday: a micro hike with the Rangers

On Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 2 p.m., the Urban Park Rangers lead a Discovery Hike focused on the park's microscopic world, starting from the Van Cortlandt Nature Center. No registration is needed, and it suits families who want an hour outdoors without a work shift. The Rangers can be reached at 718-548-0912.

Getting there

Van Cortlandt Park sits along the Kingsbridge, Riverdale and Woodlawn edges of the northwest Bronx. The 1 train ends at Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street on Broadway, at the park's southwest corner, close to the Classic Playground meeting point. The alliance's own site has maps and details for all of its volunteer programs.

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