Fall is finally here! As the cool weather moves in and replaces the heat of summer, there are plenty of things to do on Staten Island to keep you busy—even if the days are a little bit shorter. Whether you attend a fall harvest celebration or go pumpkin picking with the kids, make sure you get out and enjoy the crisp air, the cool breeze and the beautiful fall foliage this season!
Freshkills Park
Sneak “Peak” at Freshkills Park: This annual event celebrates the potential of the future of Freshkills Park. Taking place on September 28, 2014 from 11am to 4pm at the Freshkills Park Parking Lot, this festival offers activities such as kayaking, biking, birding, art, and family friendly events. Come and check out how Staten Island’s Freshkills Park has transformed over the past few years. For more information, visit http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2014/09/28/sneak-peak-at-freshkills-park.
Events at the Staten Island Greenbelt
Greenbelt Pumpkin Festival in Willowbrook Park: Join the Staten Island Greenbelt at Willowbrook Park from 12 pm – 4 pm on Saturday, October 11, 2014 for an afternoon of fun, games, music, puppet shows and more. Environmental educators will have a fall-inspired activity for families, and the Carousel will be open as well. Admission to the event is free, although you do need to purchase pumpkins and carousel rides for a small fee.
Visit the Staten Island Greenbelt website at www.sigreenbelt.org for more information on events like autumn hikes, Halloween activities, and regular programming for children and adults of all ages. Enjoy this beautiful time of year in Staten Island’s greenest space!
Celebrate at Historic Richmond Town
Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm: Weekends in October and on Columbus Day, 11 am – 4 pm. You don’t have to travel off of Staten Island to enjoy a hay ride, farm animals, arts and crafts, and a corn stalk maze. Visit the historic Decker Farm for pumpkin picking and many more fall festivities.
Historic Richmond Town Old Home Day: Where on Staten Island can you watch the blacksmith and tinsmiths at work, meet the chair-caner, observe the “colonial” cooks making bread and soup, and view expert quilters, beekeepers, and spinners complete their crafts? On October 19, 2014 from 10 am – 5 pm, stroll through America’s past and present at Historic Richmond town for their Old Home Day Celebration. Admission to this event includes a ticket to Decker Farm Pumpkin Picking.
Halloween in Richmond Town: Enjoy trick-or-treating in an old historic village! On Friday, October 24, 2014, beginning at 3:30 pm, join the members of the Staten Island Historical Society for an afternoon of games, apple-bobbing, costume contests and tasty treats!
Visit the Historic Richmond Town website for more details and registration information for these events.
Westerleigh Park
Soap Box Derby: Join in the excitement at Westerleigh Park’s 9th annual Soap Box Derby, where big kids and little kids ages 7 and older are encouraged to design, build, and race their version of a soap box derby car. The event will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 10 am- 4pm. Registration begins at 10am with the races commencing at 11am.
Halloween Extravaganza 2014: Join the Friends of Westerleigh Park as they partner with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to host 2014’s Halloween Extravaganza! Taking place on Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 11am – 2pm, there will be a haunted house created by the Boy Scouts, a bake sale sponsored by the Girl Scouts, arts and crafts, face-painting, pumpkin picking, raffles, and more! This is truly a community event that you don’t want to miss!
Visit www.westerleighpark.com for more information.
Spooktacular at the Staten Island Zoo
A favorite North Shore event is the Staten Island Zoo’s Spooktacular, taking place this year on October 18th and 19th. Participants can enjoy family friendly themes including carnival games, crafts, and a costume contest, as well as new features such as a “Transylvania’s Got Talent”, and “Wonderful Witches of the World” and an expanded “Candy Land Path.” For more information, visit the Staten Island Zoo website.
Pumpkin Smash
PS 9’s Pumpkin Smash: Want a fun way to dispose of your jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins? Join PS 9, Naples Street Elementary School, located at 1055 Targee Street for their first annual Pumpkin Smash, taking place on Saturday, November 1st from 11am-3pm.
This brand-new elementary school is partnering with the NYC Compost Project Hosted by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens as the Staten Island site of a city-wide leaf collection event. Not only will you get a chance to make your pumpkins flip, roll, launch and ultimately smash before adding them to compost bins, but there will be music, games, raffles, contests and fun for the entire family. Families are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring left-over candy to be donated to the troops. Stay tuned for more information on this fun event.
Whether it be a hayride, pumpkin carving, or sipping warm apple cider; there is so much to love about the fall season in New York City’s greenest borough. If you’re looking to buy a home or purchase any Staten Island real estate, autumn (the season of transition) is the perfect time to think about transitioning into a new home. Come out and join us in celebrating fall, and feel free to follow my weekly blogs for more information on upcoming events, attractions, listings and more. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
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Happy Fall! I look forward to meeting up soon!