WOTBA New York Events Calendar: All Parks Edition Monday, April 27 - Monday, May 4, 2009

Enjoy the blooming season, this special time to visit the parks. Head to the northern parts of Central Park to wander in the woods, or get lost in the Ramble. This calendar takes us into May. Fancy that! I have a secret to share - the summer in New York is my favorite season, and the recent warm weather makes me long for even hotter weather.

Sorry about the swine flu. The New York Times published a story today, Europe Urges Citizens to Avoid U.S. and Mexico Travel, reporting that the EU's health commissioner has urged Europeans to avoid nonessential trips to our shores. What a drag. But, isn't enjoying NY parks in bloom an essential visit? Who's going to take pictures of our squirrels?

In the spirit of nature, warm weather, and springtime, all selected events this week take place in New York City parks.

• Monday, April 27. Hanami: The Cherry Blossom Viewing Season. 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn

• Monday, April 27. General Grant's Birthday Celebration. 11:00 a.m. Events will include a wreath-laying ceremony, Civil War displays, musket demonstrations, and speakers from the community and from West Point. Riverside Park. General Grant Memorial (122nd Street & Riverside Drive)

• Tuesday, April 28. Fitness Walking Programs in Fort Tryon Park. 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. One hour of walking, stretching, strengthening, and body toning.The program is free but pre-registration is required. To register, email Nancy at healthwriter2@aol.com. For more information, call Linda at (212) 927-9568. Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan.

• Tuesday, April 28. Musical Puppet Show: Peter Pan & Adventures in Never Land. 12:30 p.m. A new musical marionette production in Central Park. The Swedish Cottage is located in Central Park at 79th Street and the West Drive, just south of the Delacorte Theater.

• Tuesday, April 28. Manhattan Adirondacks. 1:00 p.m. Olmsted and Vaux designed the North Woods in Central Park to replicate scenes in the Adirondack Mountains. Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park (inside the Park at 110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox avenues).

• Wednesday, April 29. Reading & Reception: Washington Square with Author John Berendt. 7 p.m. New York author John Berendt reads Henry James' Washington Square in the parlors of the Merchant's House Museum (29 East Fourth Street). In collaboration with the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) and the Mercantile Library for The Big Read salute to Henry James' Washington Square. $15; $5 MHM & GVSHP members.

• Thursday, April 30. Poetry at The New York Botanical Garden. 10:00 a.m. Read poems inspired by the plant world, and create your own nature-inspired poem. Pick up a poem to share with friends and family after you leave the Garden. From 3 to 5 p.m., participate in an open poetry reading experience. New York Botanical Garden (Fordham Road at Bronx River Parkway). Bronx. Adults $20, kids $8

• Friday, May 1. Wildflower Week Botanical Walk: Hunter Island. 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Hunter Island in Pelham Bay Park is home to giant oak and tulip trees that may predate the American Revolution. Pelham Bay Park. Meet at the northeast corner of the Orchard Beach parking lot (far left corner from entry booth.). Da Bronx.

• Saturday, May 2. Early Morning Birding at 8 a.m. Weekly Ranger-led birding walk. Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park (East 33rd Street and Avenue U), Brooklyn.

• Saturday, May 2. Wildflower Week Botanical Walk: Alley Pond Park. 10 a.m. Wildflower walk around the glacial-formed Oakland Lake. Alley Pond Park. Meet at APEC 228-06 Northern Boulevard. Queens. Free for APEC members, $5 for others.

• Sunday, May 3. Biking and Birding - Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetary. 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. To celebrate Bike Month NYC, tour Prospect Park, an important bird area, and Green-Wood Cemetery, home to nesting parrots and the highest point in Brooklyn. Bring binoculars, water, and your bicycle. Limited to 15. With NYC Audubon and Prospect Park Audubon Center. Meet at the Grand Army Plaza Arch at 8:45 a.m. -- ride leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m. Brooklyn. $20 ($18 for NYC Audubon or T.A. members)To register, go to http://www.nycaudubon.org/home/TripClass.shtml.

• Monday, May 4. Monday Night Lecture: Brooklyn Celebrates Baseball. 7:00 p.m. With former All American Girls Professional Baseball League Pitcher Gloria Cordes-Elliott of the Racine Belles and Kalamazoo Lassies. Marine Park. Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park (East 33rd Street and Avenue U).

All event information from http://www.nycgovparks.org/

Images of Central Park by Walking Off the Big Apple.