Friends of VCP's August Enewsletter

Bringing Youth, Community and Nature Together for 25 Years!

August 2017

This summer the Friends have had several projects going on in Van Cortlandt Park ranging from our summer interns maintaining the trails and removing water chestnut from the lake to a professional crew cleaning the Grand Central Stones.  For our Grand Central Stone project we have partnered with the Municipal Art Society thanks to funding 

from the Paul and Klara Porzelt Foundation.  Together we are making progress with the stones being cleaned so that you can now see the different types of stones that the railroad company was testing.   We are also developing a plan to combat any future graffiti that may appear, cleaning up the forest around the stones and working on historical signage.  We hope to have the project completed in time for our Hike-toberfest.

On Saturday September 23rd, join us for our second annual Hike-toberfest to hike, eat, drink & celebrate with Friends during a fun fundraiser for the hiking trails of Van Cortlandt Park. Come see why VCP is Where NYC Hikes.  Thank you to all our sponsors to date: Allstate Insurance, Bronx Beer Hall, Bronx Native, Food Dynasty, Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten, Loving the Bronx, and Van Cortlandt House Museum.  Click here to purchase tickets securely onlineor use this Registration Form to pay by check. 

Also, this year the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are celebrating our 25th Anniversary in several ways including the new banners that have been put up along Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park South and our 25th Anniversary Benefit on Sunday October 15th.  This celebration will be honoring our founders and is being hosted by Meredith Vieira.  For details on these events and more please see below and visit the Events page of our website. 

Christina and all of your Friends at the Friends of VCP!

Friends of VCP's Upcoming Events

Rowboating on VC Lake Fridays until September 1st from 4:30pm to 7:30pm Village Community Boathouse will provide FREE rowing  in their fleet of traditional wooden rowboats.  Children  under 18 years old need a parent present to sign waiver.  Enter the park at Van Cortlandt Park South & Bailey Ave.  Meet near the Lake. Garden Crew  Tuesdays until August 22nd from 10am-1pm Help care for our vegetable beds (where all of our produce  will be donated to local food pantries) and compost bins.  Bring water and sunscreen. Held at Friends’ Compost &  Garden Site. Enter the Park at Broadway & Mosholu Ave. Youth Run Farm Stands Wednesdays from 2-7pmuntil October 25th–  at the Train Park at Orloff Ave and Gale Place. Thursdays from 12-7pmuntil November 16th–  on the Corner of E. Gun Hill Road and DeKalb Ave.  Wednesdays will include healthy cooking demonstrations  and hands-on activities for the community.  Thursday’s  market is being held in partnership with GrowNYC. Both  markets will accept Cash, EBT/Credit/Debit, Healthbucks,  FreshConnect Bucks, WIC and FMNP checks. Special  Thank You to Our Supporters: New Yankee Stadium  Benefits Fund, Clif Bar Family Foundation and Bon  Secours Healthy  ommunity Initiative. Hike-toberfest 2017 Saturday September 23rd from 2pm-7pm Hike, Eat, Drink & Celebrate with Friends during our  new fun fundraiser for the hiking trails of Van Cortlandt  Park. Come see why VCP is Where NYC Hikes. Hike starts  at 2pm and attendees will participate in a 2 hour 4-5 mile  hike or a 2 mile leisurely hike. Oktoberfest starts is from  4pm-7pm where there will be German food by Loreley  Restaurant & Biergarten, beer and fun yard games!  Meet  at the Van Cortlandt House Museum. Tickets and  Sponsorship information below and can be purchased  here through Eventbrite or via mail using this form. 25th Anniversary Celebration: Honoring our  Founders Sunday October 15th from 6-9pm Join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the  Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and Honor our  Founders:  Felicity Nitz, Frances Beinecke, Susan  Morgenthau, Elizabeth Scheuer, Jane Sokolow and  Sybil Wailand.  Event hosted by Meredith Vieira.   Our guests will enjoy dinner, drinks and dessert out  on the deck of the Van Cortlandt Golf House  overlooking Van Cortlandt Lake.  Tickets and  Sponsorship information below and can be  purchased here through Eventbrite or via mail  using this form.