Outdoors

VAN CORTLANDT Park, located at West 246th Street and Broadway, will hold the following special events this weekend:

• This month’s Birding Club meeting will take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 9 a.m. During this program, visitors will learn about the different types of summer birds that are currently leaving the park for warmer grounds and then look to spot them while walking along the trails. Participants should wear comfortable shoes, bring binoculars and meet at the Nature Center.
• The park will resume its Nature Photography Series, with the next session being held on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. This month’s program will focus on “The Golden Hour,” which is a term that photographers often use to refer to the beautiful soft light that can be captured during the time surrounding sunset. Visitors will get to see first-hand how this dynamic lighting can make a difference in their photos. All skill levels are welcome. Participants should bring their own camera — tripods are strongly recommended — and meet at the Nature Center.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 718-548-0912.

THE GREENBURGH Nature Center will hold a “GNC Highlights Tour,” on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 11:30 a.m. During this family-friendly event, participants will take a guided walk through the gardens, trails and grounds, to see and learn about many of the treasures on the Nature Center’s 33-acre property. Trail maps will be provided. This program is open to the public and there is no charge for admission. The Nature Center is located at 99 Dromore Road, just off Central Park Avenue, in Scarsdale, N.Y. For more information, call 914-723-3470.

STERLING FOREST, located at 600 Route 17A, in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. — less than 50 miles from the Bronx — will host its 32nd annual New York Renaissance Faire, on Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day Monday), now through Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a wide variety of entertainment for all ages to enjoy, such as a royal joust with armored knights on horseback, acrobatic performances, an ongoing Robin Hood show, a living chess game and much more. Visitors can also interact with storytellers, pirates and magicians, browse through a crafts marketplace, go on human-powered rides and participate in various 16th-century games. There will be all kinds of gourmet food and beverages available for purchase throughout each day of the festival. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 5 to 12 and free for children ages 4 and younger. Tickets can be reserved online at www.renfair. com, by calling 845-351-5174 or at the box office.

THE NEW York City public pools are now open for the 2009 summer season. The Van Cortlandt Pool, which is located in the park, at West 242nd Street and Broadway, will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day of the week, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Visitors should bring a bathing suit, towel and a lock. Pool admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 718-548-2415 or call 718-760-6969 ext. 0 for the Adult Lap Swim schedule.

ORCHARD BEACH, located on the Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park, is the only beach in the Bronx and it is currently open for swimming, sun tanning and more, now through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Throughout the beach season, lifeguards are on duty everyday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited at all other times. For more information, call 718-885-2275.

This is part of the September 3, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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