Tree Walks, Dog Meet-Ups And More: Prospect Park's Winter Line-Up

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — With wedding open houses, zoo visits and winter wilderness walks, the first few months of the New Year are busier than ever in Brooklyn's backyard.

The Prospect Park Alliance has released its line-up of activities and events for the winter months of 2020. The nearly two dozen events kicked off in the first few days of the New Year and will run until March.

They include everything from family-friendly encounters with the Prospect Park Audubon Center's stick bugs, tarantulas and turtles, to a celebration of historical freedom for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to a wedding open house for the those looking to get married in Brooklyn's backyard.

Here's everything you need to know to get in on the fun:

January Events

Holiday Tree Drop-Off in Prospect Park — Runs until Jan. 11

Leave your holiday tree along the Prospect Park perimeter fence near the 3rd Street Entrance, Lincoln Road Entrance or Park Circle Entrance. The trees will be collected by staff members and volunteers and turned into mulch for the public to use. Jan. 4 and 11 will also include an opportunity to receive mulch for the tree at Prospect Park's Mulchfest, complete with complimentary hot chocolate at the chipping sites.

Winter Zoo Wonderland — Weekends in January, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Every weekend in January, explore the zoo’s wintery outdoor trail, warm up in their indoor exhibits, and discover the special adaptations animals have to survive in the cold. Prospect Park Zoo, Free with Admission: Adults $9.95, Children (3–12) $6.95, Seniors (65+) $7.95. Children under 3 free.

Picnic House Wedding Open House — Sunday, Jan. 19; 1 to 3 p.m.

Join Prospect Park Alliance for a special wedding open house at the Picnic House in Prospect Park. Beyond viewing the Picnic House in all its finery, you will meet some of our exclusive caterers and wedding specialists who will help you create your ideal day. Famous for its scenic views of the 90-acre Long Meadow, floor-to-ceiling windows and charming wood-burning fireplace, the Prospect Park Picnic House was awarded Best of Weddings by The Knot and received a Couples Choice Award from Wedding Wire. Registration required for the free event here.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Prospect Park — Monday, Jan. 20; 12 to 4 p.m.

Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At Lefferts Historic House, listen to master storyteller Tammy Hall weave tales and sing songs of freedom from around the world. Then, head over to the Prospect Park Audubon Center to meet the animals that live there—stick bugs, tarantulas, and red-eared turtles all await your visit! Don’t miss the Winter Wilderness Walk, guided by an Alliance Naturalist, to learn how plants and animals survive the cold winter months.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tennis Program — Monday, Jan. 20; 1 to 4 p.m.

Geared toward both adults and juniors, this popular clinic features fast-paced drill stations that focus on specific skills, including serve & volley, ground strokes, approach shots and offense/defense strategies. Prospect Park Tennis Center, $80 advance registration required.

Winter Tree ID with the Urban Park Rangers — Sunday, Jan. 26; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Explore Prospect Park with the Urban Park Rangers and learn how to identify a tree by the bark, buds, and other distinctive characteristics. Held at the Audubon Center, this event is free.

February Events

Lunar Zoo Year – Year of the Rat — Weekends in February from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit Prospect Park Zoo on February weekends to celebrate the festival of the new moon and animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Meet one of the tiniest rodents in the world, the Eurasian Harvest Mouse and learn how the Wildlife Conservation Society is helping animals in China and Southeast Asia. Special activities and a zodiac scavenger hunt will all be a part of the fun. Prospect Park Zoo, Free with Admission: Adults $9.95, Children (3–12) $6.95, Seniors (65+) $7.95. Children under 3 free.

The Great Backyard Bird Count — Saturday, Feb. 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages nationwide. The Brooklyn Bird Club will lead Prospect Park’s GBBC contingent in an effort to count birds and create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Held at the Audubon Center, this event is free.

Cherry Tree 10-Miler + Relay — Sunday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join Prospect Park Track Club for the Cherry Tree 10 Miler + Relay. Run the entire course or split it with two other friends to make it a relay. Starts at the Lincoln Road entrance, a $25 to $120 registration required.

President’s Week in Prospect Park — Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Join Prospect Park Alliance during Midwinter Recess for a range of family-friendly activities to suit every child’s interests. On February 17, put your civic knowledge to the test with presidential trivia for kids at Lefferts Historic House followed by a special birthday cake for George and Abe. Come back the next day and make your own jar of scented salve, a winter staple for dry skin. The Audubon Center will also be hosting a variety of programs throughout the week to engage youngsters in the natural world, including a bird count to help researchers learn more about the health of bird populations.

President’s Week Tennis Program — Monday Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Prospect Park Tennis Center offers intensive group instruction for adults and children of all levels of experience. Our accomplished staff of tennis professionals gives players personal attention while they acquire game fundamentals and increase their skill level. Prospect Park Tennis Center, $80 per day, advance registration required.

March Events

Take A Closer Look—At Spring! — Weekends in March and April from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Signs of spring are everywhere as animals at the Prospect Park Zoo and in your own backyard wake up from their winter sleep. Visit the zoo every weekend in March and April to celebrate spring and learn how to be an urban scientist. Prospect Park Zoo, Free with Admission: Adults $9.95, Children (3–12) $6.95, Seniors (65+) $7.95. Children under 3 free.

A Spring Start in Prospect Park — Saturday, March 21 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

After a long winter, join Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Bird Club to notice burgeoning signs of life in the park. Explore nature trails to discover the beautiful plumage + fascinating behavior of early spring passerines, transitional winter species, woodpeckers, sparrows and early raptors. Please note this tour leaves promptly at 8 am. Don’t forget to bring binoculars!

For more information about any of the events or other ongoing programs at the park, check out Prospect Park Alliance's website.