Misha Capnist
Jun 19, 2020
It is time to break the lockdown almost all over the world. If somebody is still afraid or prefers to be prudent, there is a great opportunity to virtually visit Freshkills Park, one of the most important environmental habitats in the city.
This year, Freshkills Park has taken their annual Discovery Day virtual, and the Freshkills Park team is excited to host activities and experiences created by the team and community partners. Throughout the week, you can learn more about the history, wildlife, recreation, education, and art at the park through virtual experiences. Whether you are near or far, join the first “Discovery Week @ Home” from June 22nd to June 26th.
A vue of the Park, source
All activities and performances are completely free! As the week goes on, all Virtual Discovery Week content will be posted to the park's social media channels and website for easy access.
About Freshkills Park
After serving as NYC’s landfill for over fifty years, the Freshkills Park site is now one of the most important environmental habitats in the city. With capping and protective systems, the closed landfill has become a new engineered landscape. Wildlife are already responding to the environmental changes. Birds, fish, and mammals are thriving in the creeks and grasslands. As the park has been built in phases, free tours and events have provided early access for learning and exploration. In person tours and events will resume when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, you can join the fun and visit the park via a virtual experience of the transformation!
25 June - Thursday: Each day, park visitors can witness how ecology, engineering, design, history, and social sciences interact to solve 21st century challenges. On this day, you can take a STEAM Challenge with Freshkills Park! These challenges use only recycled and basic materials you would have at home and will teach you more about the environment at Freshkills Park.
We all love parks, but where do parks come from? You can learn all about how parks are created by registering your 8-12 year olds for the ‘Be a Park Planner’ virtual field trip. Younger kids, from 6-8, can learn all about wetlands by participating in the park's ‘All about Wetlands’ virtual field trip to Freshkills Park.
All virtual events and activities will be posted to Freshkills' website from June 22nd through June 26th and will be free of charge.