Annual Leaf Lift

Join us for a fun day of giving back to our community by helping rake leaves in Riverside Park! This event is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people, and make a difference in the park. No experience is necessary—just bring your energy and enthusiasm.

While we typically follow the “Leave the Leaves” practice to protect habitat for our insect friends in our natural areas, our Leaf Lift events focus on removing leaves from high-traffic pathways to provide a safer and cleaner experience for park visitors.

And the best part? The leaves collected during these projects won’t go to waste! They’ll be composted right here in-house, either supporting our work at the compost compound or returning nutrients to our woodland and restoration areas.

Come lend a hand, enjoy some time outdoors, and help us care for Riverside Park!

To register please click on the link below for your preferred location:

Palisades Playground (~148th St)

Tiemann Place (~124th St)

Field House (~102nd St)

What to wear/bring:

Filled water bottle

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes

Comfortable, seasonally-appropriate layers

Long pants & socks that cover your ankles

Sunscreen

Optional: Hat

We will provide gloves and all tools/materials needed for the project. Please keep personal belongings with you at all times, as we do not have a secure storage area.

For the safety of our staff and volunteers, if you are feeling sick or unwell on the day of the project, please stay home. It is not worth the risk to you or to others.

For any questions, please email volunteerevents@riversideparknyc.org.