Show-Stopping Programming for Spring Break Makes The New York Botanical Garden A Must-Visit Family Destination
Tuesday, April 19–Monday, April 25, 2011
The New York Botanical Garden offers families the chance to discover the beauty and fun of nature this spring break. Parents and children can take in the theater of nature in Showstoppers of Spring family programming taking place during The Orchid Show: On Broadway (through April 25). Broadway Day on April 19 features appearances from cast members of Billy Elliot and interactive Broadway programming for kids. Earth Day on April 22 includes an outdoor biodiversity scavenger hunt, guided tours of the Native Forest, and earthworm-focused composting activities. Kids can help get the garden ready for spring all week by planting seeds, spreading compost, and digging in Wake Up, Garden! Families can enjoy an indoor theatrical presentation of Peter and The Wolf by the Bronx Arts Ensemble on April 24. For information on all family events visit, www.nybg.org
Broadway Day at The New York Botanical Garden
Tuesday, April 19, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
In the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
In celebration of The Orchid Show: On Broadway, some of the most popular productions on the Great White Way have created unique and interactive programming for the Garden. Have fun with cast members of Billy Elliot and activities from Broadway’s The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet, and more. Bring your plastic bags to the Broadway Green Alliance Education booth to participate in their recycling drive.
Showstoppers of Spring
Tuesday, April 19–Monday, April 25, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
In the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
The 12-acre Everett Children’s Adventure Garden comes alive this spring break with the cast of characters only a garden can showcase. Come sort plant parts such as leaves, buds, stems, flowers, and roots; make a viewfinder to use in outdoor exploration; and decorate a field notebook to record observations of nature, just as real scientists do. The caterpillar topiaries will be revealing their new spring costumes while a chorus of birds fills the air with nature’s tunes. Each day of spring break will also feature special programming additional to the hands-on activities, like daily bird walks through special Broadway- and nature- themed galleries.
Activities for Showstoppers of Spring include:
Kids’ Karaoke at the Stumps
Wednesday, April 20–Monday, April 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Be inspired by the chorus of birds to belt out a ballad or sing a song with special help from our garden emcee.
Curtain Call Bird Walk
Tuesday, April 19–Monday, April 25, 4 p.m.
Meet at the Discovery Center
Finish up the day with an afternoon stroll through the special themed Habitat Hub garden and search for birds. We may hear more than we see, but there surely will be a show.
Earth Day Programming
Friday, April 22
Across Garden Grounds
What better place to celebrate the earth and its gifts than at the Botanical Garden? Explore nature in the Native Forest, learn how worms recycle plants into compost, and find out ways to go green at home.
Self Guided Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt
All day
Across Garden grounds
Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at any admission booth or in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. You lead the way with clues that help you solve the Garden riddles.
Guided Forest Tours
1 and 2 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Visitor Center
Experience the beauty of the Garden’s 50-acre Native Forest on this walking tour with an expertly trained Docent. You'll learn facts about the trees, history, geology, and ecology of this original, uncut woodland.
Earthworms on Earth Day
1:30–5:30 p.m.
Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Learn all about our slimy friends and how they are hard at work in the garden. Sift nutritious worm compost to take home for your houseplants.
How to Create a Worm Bin
1–3 p.m.
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
Check out how easy it is to recycle your food scraps by composting them in a kitchen worm bin. See what a working worm bin looks like, learn the basics for sustaining this earth-friendly ecosystem, and get the practical tips, advice, and encouragement you need to begin composting and making natural plant food at home.
Wake Up, Garden!
Tuesday, April 19–Monday, April 25
1:30–5:30 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Children and families learn about plants and the natural world through hands-on gardening in at the one-and-a-half acre Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden. Kids: help us get the garden ready for spring in Wake Up, Garden! by planting seeds, spreading compost, and digging with help from parents, volunteers, and staff. Join us in the Meadow to collect sticks and twigs to turn into imaginative arts and crafts. Learn how to play the game “pick-up-sticks” and make your own bundle so you can play at home. Wake Up, Garden! activities run through May 6.
Bronx Arts Ensemble Family Concerts featuring: Peter and the Wolf
Sunday, April 24, 1 and 3 p.m.
In the Garden Terrace Room
The Bronx Arts Ensemble wind instruments portray Grandfather, the Bird, the Cat, the Duck, the Hunters, the Wolf, and other characters in Serge Prokofiev’s popular musical fairy tale, Peter and the Wolf. The audience is introduced to each instrument and can join in the madcap adventure to help capture the Wolf!
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Family and Community Gardening programs sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Healthy Families Program made possible by MetLife Foundation
Leadership support for Children’s Education Programs was provided by the Altman
Foundation, Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, Inc., and The Hearst Foundations.
Programs in the Family Garden are supported by the Marion Moore Foundation, Inc. and the Cleveland
H. Dodge Foundation, Inc.
The Orchid Show: On Broadway
Principal Sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Davidson
Founding Sponsor, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation
Generous support also provided by the Karen Katen Foundation
The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad or subway (B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station). The Botanical Garden is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday and Monday federal holidays.
During The Orchid Show: On Broadway the Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Garden will be open on Monday, April 25. The best way to enjoy the Garden during The Orchid Show is with the All-Garden Pass, which includes admission to the grounds as well as to seasonal gardens, exhibitions, and attractions such as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, Rock and Native Plant Gardens, and Tram Tour: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students with ID, $8 for children ages 2–12, children under 2 are free. A Grounds-Only Pass is available: $6 for adults, $5 for adult Bronx Residents; $3 for seniors, $2 for students with ID, $1 for children ages 2–12, children under 2 are free. Grounds-only admission is free all day on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information, please call 718.817.8700 or visit www.nybg.org Read the Botanical Garden’s popular blog, Plant Talk: Inside The New York Botanical Garden.
The New York Botanical Garden is located on property owned in full by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. A portion of the Garden’s general operating funds is provided by The New York City Council and The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Bronx Borough President and Bronx elected representatives in the City Council and State Legislature provide leadership funding.
Media contact: Elizabeth Fisher, 718.817.8136/8616 or efisher@nybg.org
