The Urban Park Rangers are putting canoes in the water at Wolfe's Pond Park on Sunday, Nov. 1. The free Fall Canoeing program runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is a calm autumn paddle on the park's pond, looking at the season's colors and the wildlife around the water. It is open to anyone 8 and older, first come, first served, with no registration.

The paddle is the centerpiece of a short run of free programs in the 302-acre park on Staten Island's South Shore, on Raritan Bay in Prince's Bay.

Sunday, Nov. 1: fall canoeing

The rangers lead canoe trips across the city, from protected lakes to the open water of rivers and bays. This one stays on the gentle end: a slow paddle with the rangers pointing out fall foliage and the animals that use the pond. Meet at Holten Avenue and Purdy Place. Spots go to whoever arrives first, so arrive a little early.

Saturday, Oct. 31: a costumed dog hike

The day before, on Halloween, the rangers lead the Howl-oween Doggie Day Hike from 11 a.m. to noon, a walk through the park's woods with dogs in costume and a contest for the best one. Dogs must stay leashed. People without dogs are welcome too. It starts at the park entrance at Cornelia Avenue and Chester Avenue.

Later this fall and winter

  • Bird and nature walk, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to noon. The Staten Island Museum brings its walking series to Wolfe's Pond Park.
  • New Year's Day hike, Friday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The rangers' longer first-day-of-the-year hike, starting from the Cornelia and Chester avenues entrance.

About the park

NYC Parks describes Wolfe's Pond Park as a place shaped by the last ice age, with freshwater wetland, the bay beach, and, north of Hylan Boulevard, Acme Pond and its surrounding forest. Every May and June, horseshoe crabs come up out of Raritan Bay onto the park's beaches to lay their eggs. The park is also home to a monument to the Battle of the Bulge.

Plan your visit

All of the rangers' programs listed here are free and need no registration. The rangers' number for Wolfe's Pond Park programs is 718-967-3542.

Sources