If you want to understand why the Bronx is one of the most interesting boroughs for environmental work in the city, spend an hour this Saturday at Starlight Park. The Bronx River — once an industrial dumping ground — has become a community-led success story, and Earth Week is when that story is easiest to see in person.
Here is what is happening across the borough and how to take part.
Bronx River Open House — Saturday, April 25
The headline event is the Bronx River Open House at Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Boulevard in Crotona Park East, running from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. It is free, it is hands-on, and it is the best single Earth Day event in the borough. Programming includes walking tours along the river, canoe paddling on the Bronx River itself — yes, you can actually paddle this river — kid-friendly educational activities, and giveaways including trees and fresh produce. Bring a bag for the tree.
Roberto Clemente State Park — Morris Heights
Also on April 25, Roberto Clemente State Park at 301 West Tremont Avenue in Morris Heights is running hands-on crafts, games, sensory play, and an Earth Day program where families can create a take-home seed starter to plant at home. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. It is a strong option for families with younger kids who want a lower-key alternative to Starlight Park.
Bike to Randall’s Island With South Bronx Unite
South Bronx Unite and El Barrio Bikes are organizing a group ride from the South Bronx to the Randall’s Island Earth Day Festival on April 25. Meet at Maria Sola Community Greenspace in Mott Haven at 11:30 a.m. The route takes the Randall’s Island-Bronx Connector Pedestrian Bridge, which is genuinely scenic and a lot flatter than most NYC bike rides. A partnership with Citi Bike provides free Citi Bikes for the ride, and a limited number of free helmets are available.
Francis Martin Library — Morris Heights
For a rainy-weather option, the Francis Martin Library at 2150 University Avenue in Morris Heights is running an afternoon of free activities, free compost, and free seeds with community partners and STEAM activities from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Free compost is the kind of thing that sounds unglamorous until you try to buy it at a garden center.
Looking Ahead: Bronx Week 2026
Bronx Week 2026 officially kicks off Sunday, April 27, and runs all the way through July 11 — one of the longest borough celebrations in the city. The main event, the Bronx Ball, will honor new Walk of Fame inductees and the recipient of the Key to the Borough at The Clubhouse at Bally’s Ferry Point. There is a full schedule of community events built into those dates, so Earth Week is really the on-ramp to a much longer celebration of the borough.
What You Need to Know
- Bronx River Open House — Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd., April 25, noon to 4 p.m., free
- Roberto Clemente State Park — 301 W. Tremont Ave., April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Bike to Randall’s Island — meet at Mott Haven’s Maria Sola Community Greenspace, 11:30 a.m., free bikes available
- Francis Martin Library — 2150 University Ave., free compost and seeds, April 22, 1:30 to 6 p.m.
- Bronx Week 2026 — April 27 through July 11
Where to Start
The Bronx River Open House is the event most worth your Saturday afternoon — you will not get another chance to canoe the Bronx River for free this year. If you are in Mott Haven or the South Bronx and want a social option, the bike ride to Randall’s Island is built exactly for that.
For residents plugged into local governance, this week’s Bronx Community Board meetings are running across all 12 districts, and many CBs have environment committees tied to exactly the kind of parks and river programming this week puts on display. Our recent coverage of the Bronx’s faster housing approval process is also worth a read if you want to understand what is changing in the borough right now.
Pick one event, show up, and let the river do the rest of the talking.
