Spring Outdoors on the UES

April showers bring May flowers . . . right? In this year’s case, it seems to be March that’s bringing the showers, which hopefully means that April and May will be bright, beautiful, and full of springtime blooms. With that in mind, here are a few upcoming events that will get you out to enjoy what we hope will be perfect spring weather.

Let the Games Begin: History of Sports and Recreation in the Park Tour - Put on by the Central Park Conservancy, this one-time-only walking tour of Central Park begins at 65th Street and explores the history of sports in the park, including baseball, horseback riding, ice skating, boating, and the NYC Marathon. The tour takes place on Saturday, April 10th at 10 a.m. Click here for more information.

Concern for Haiti Run/Walk: On Saturday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m., join in for a four-mile run/walk through Central Park to benefit Haiti. Sponsored by Concern Worldwide, all funds raised by the event will go toward emergency response and long-term development efforts in Haiti. Click here for more information and to register now.

Volunteer Gardening at Carl Schurz Park: On Saturday, April 17, get out your gardening gloves and help the Carl Schurz Park Association volunteers tend to the park’s gardens. Meet at the 86th Street Mall by East End Avenue at 10 a.m. And then return on May 8 for the park’s annual plant sale! For more information, click here.

Polar Circle at the Central Park Zoo: While it may not sound very spring-like, the recently renovated Polar Circle is open at the Central Park Zoo this spring, and it features four new King penguins that just arrived last month. Pay them a visit once the weather brightens up, and be sure to check out all the other animals at the zoo.

22nd Annual Broadway Spring Festival: The street fair will span 86th to 96th Streets on Sunday, May 2, providing plenty of food, games, and fun to draw you outdoors for an afternoon.

Enjoy!