Tag Monarch Butterflies, Hike, & More in Marine Park! 🦋

On Sunday, September 20th, we’ll tag monarch butterflies, hike, & more in Marine Park! 🦋

8:45am to 11:45am

Can join for any part!

From 8:45am to 9:45am, can do intro to birding with an expert from NYC Birds Alliance or can do a 2.5 mile run or walk with NYRR New York Road Runners (please see section 1 for birding, section 2 for NYRR Open Run / Walk) both birding and the NYRR Open Run / Walk are at the same time

From 9:45am to 11am, can tag monarch butterflies for the community count (please see section 3 for tagging monarch butterflies)

From 11am to 11:20am, hike 1 mile on Salt Marsh Trail (see section 4 for the hike)

From 11:30am to 11:40am, have coffee at Marine Park Coffee (see section 5 for Marine Park coffee details)

If interested, can also kayak or bike for $16-20 an hour afterwards (host will not be present, see section 6)

For most activities we'll meet here:

Salt Marsh Nature Center
3301 Avenue U
Google maps link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JCTxijN5woHwi5967
Has restrooms, AC, and more

Please see details in each section below

Section 1:
Intro to Birding
8:45am to 9:45am
Salt Marsh Nature Center
With an expert from NYC Bird Alliance
Free, no RSVP needed
https://www.marineparkalliance.org/event/intro-to-birding-10/
Marine Park Alliance event description: “Learn how to use binoculars to spot amazing birds that live around the salt marsh with an expert from NYC Bird Alliance! Families welcome.”

Section 2:
NYRR Open Run or Walk
8:45am to 9:45am
2.50 miles
Behind the Carmine Carro Community Center on Fillmore Avenue
Free, RSVP required
https://www.nyrr.org/openrun/parks/marine-park
All paces welcome
Route of run, walk:
https://prodsitecore.blob.core.windows.net/nyrrsitecoreblob/nyrr/openrun-images/park-pdfs/marine-park/engesp-marinepark.pdf

Section 3:
Tag Monarch Butterflies
9:45am to 11am
Salt Marsh Nature Center
Help count threatened butterfly population
Free, no RSVP needed
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/09/20/monarch-watch
NYC Parks description: “Help band butterflies to track the slow decline of the critical monarch species (all the more reason to plant pollinator gardens wherever possible!). Community science data collected on this day adds to a national study.”
Details on threatened status of monarch butterflies (proposed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
https://www.fws.gov/question-answer/questions-and-answers-proposal-list-monarch-butterfly-threatened-under-endangered

Section 4:
Hike the Salt Marsh Nature Trail
Meet outside Salt Marsh Nature Center
11am to 11:20am
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: easy (it’s flat)
Duration: 20 minutes
Route of hike (it’s the smaller circle near the Salt Marsh Nature Center)
https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/107/Marine-Park-Trail-Guide__57d311fe747b8.pdf
All points of interest in Marine Park
https://www.nycgovparks.org/park-features/hiking/marine-park#map
Hike distance, difficulty:
https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/marine-park/facilities/hikingtrails

Section 5:
Marine Park Coffee
11:30am to 11:45am
Google maps link to Marine Park Coffee:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RUfRg8f29M9dwQCp9

Section 6:
Rent a kayak or a bike in Marine Park (host will not be present)
Cruiser bike, $13 an hour (as of 9/3/2026)
Kayak, $16 an hour
Google maps link to Wheel Fun Rentals at Marine Park:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CsXTkMChLq7iLjqy5
All prices
https://wheelfunrentals.com/ny/brooklyn/marine-park/rentals/
Link to get 2nd hour free if booked before noon on the weekend
https://wheelfunrentals.com/ny/brooklyn/marine-park/discounts/2nd-hour-free

Of course, please reach out if you have any questions!

The not so fun rule on RSVPs
Please only RSVP if you think you can make it and adjust your RSVP asap if anything changes (as there are other people who would like your spot). Two no shows or cancellations within 6 hours results in a 4 month ban. I will send a reminder 24 hours in advance
to the group

Thanks and can't wait to see you!