Kissena Park holds one of the odder ecological stories in Queens: a 19th-century commercial tree nursery that was absorbed into the park, leaving behind a grove of rare specimen trees still standing among the native woodland. These morning restoration shifts are how that woodland gets kept — pulling invasive vines and clearing ground so native seedlings can come up. It is free, it is guided, and you leave with a very specific new sense of a park most people only bike through.
What to expect
Volunteers meet park stewardship staff at a set point in the park and work together in the wooded areas for the morning. The work is hands-on removal of invasive plants with provided tools and instruction. Expect dirt, uneven ground and a small group rather than a crowd.
Good to know
- Free, with tools and gloves provided by NYC Parks
- 7 train to Flushing–Main Street, then the Q17 or Q25 bus east
- Wear closed shoes and clothes that can get dirty
- Bring water and sunscreen; there is limited shade in the work areas
- Registration is usually requested in advance through NYC Parks
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Common questions
Do I need experience?
No — stewardship staff provide instruction and tools on site.
Is there a cost?
No, NYC Parks volunteer stewardship events are free.
What is special about Kissena Park?
It contains surviving specimen trees from a 19th-century commercial nursery, alongside native woodland.
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