5 ways to make the most of Van Cortlandt Park’s fall beauty before winter

Van Cortlandt Park’s foliage is rich with fiery reds, burnt oranges and bright yellows. Before the leaves all fade to brown and turn into a crunch beneath residents’ shoes, here are five upcoming outdoor activities that allow locals to take in fall’s fleeting beauty at the park.

Visit nycgovparks.org/parks/vancortlandtpark/events and vancortlandt.org/calendar-of-events to register.

Crunch & Munch: A Fall Garden Celebration

Hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, this outing invites attendees to rake and crunch leaves to fill the alliance’s compost bins. There will also be opportunities to plant garlic, make herb bundles and create a seasonal craft, such as stuffing a scarecrow.

Participants can also wander through the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Learning Garden’s raised beds.

Crunch & Munch will be held Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VCPA Learning Garden at 6000 Mosholu Ave. Enter the park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave., the alliance said.

Give back to Van Cortlandt Park

Throughout the week, the alliance hosts opportunities to give back to Van Cortlandt Park.

Tune-Up Tuesdays

At the VCPA Learning Garden, volunteers can help harvest fresh produce, pull weeds, water plants and maintain compost bins. The effort runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the last day this month to join in is Nov. 24. Meet at 6000 Mosholu Ave.

Woodlawn Wednesdays

On the east side of Van Cortlandt Park, help restore the forest by removing invasive species like multiflora rose and bush honeysuckle. Volunteers will also work to maintain trails. The effort runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and the alliance asks attendees to meet outside the handball courts at Woodlawn Playground.

The last day this month to join in is Nov. 18, though the series lasts through mid-December.

Trailwork Thursdays

On Trailwork Thursdays, help clear debris and overgrowth from the park’s trails, while also working to close official paths and help with erosion control. Participants should meet at the VCPA Learning Garden at 9 a.m. Supplies are provided. The event ends at noon.

The last day to participate before the series ends is Nov. 19, according to the city’s department of parks and recreation.

Floodplain Fridays

Along Turtle Creek, participants can plant native trees and cut back invasive phragmites. Trees will be planted in the floodplain, which is a flat area next to a river or stream.

The alliance asks participants to meet outside its offices at the Van Cortlandt Golf House, found at 115 Van Cortlandt Park South, at 9 a.m. The event will run until noon. The last day this month to participate is Nov. 20, but the recurring event runs through mid-December.

Autumn Mushroom ID Hike

The urban park rangers are taking participants on a hike through Kieran Trail to explore seasonal mushrooms. According to the city’s department of parks and recreation, fall brings changes to the forest floor, and many fungi are active.

Join the rangers at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center at West 246th Street and Broadway on Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the hike.

Van Cortlandt Nature Group Walk

Fall brings changing leaves, bird migrations and animals preparing to hibernate for the winter, all visible on trails along the Tibbetts Wetland and the Mill Pond, according to the alliance.

The nature walk allows attendees to see oaks, hickories and more as they start to turn, as well as new bird arrivals such as white-throated sparrows and dark-eyed juncos.

Meet in front of the Van Cortlandt Nature Center at West 246th Street and Broadway on Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. The event will end at 11:30 a.m.

Nature Detective Trees Mystery Adventure

Join the urban park rangers in following the clues found in tree bark, soil and leaves to determine if a disease or pest is impacting Van Cortlandt Park’s trees.

Meet at the Van Cortlandt Nature Center at West 246th Street and Broadway Nov. 28, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.