September in the Park! COMING UP!

September in Fort Tryon Park: Dance, Music, Volunteering & a 90th Birthday Celebration

As summer winds down, Fort Tryon Park is brimming with opportunities to connect with nature, community, and the arts. From volunteer projects to live performances and a milestone gala, here’s what’s happening in September:

🌿 Broadway Beautification Volunteer Opportunity

Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 AM
Roll up your sleeves and help keep Fort Tryon Park beautiful! Join neighbors and fellow park lovers to tend to the Broadway side of the park. These volunteer opportunities are a great way to give back to the community while enjoying time outdoors.

💃 Last Zumba in the Park

Saturday, September 13
Get ready to dance your way into fall! The final Zumba in the Park session of the season takes place on September 13. Come enjoy this high-energy, free outdoor workout that has brought joy and movement to Fort Tryon all summer long.

🎭 National Dance Day Festival

Saturday, September 20 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Meet at Broadway & Bennett Park entrance at 3 PM | Wheelchair-accessible pathways

Celebrate National Dance Day with an immersive, multi-disciplinary arts experience! Guided along the Broadway path, audiences will encounter Uptown Dance Collective’s “Tales: Altered and Repaired”—a performance inspired by folk and fairy tales, weaving dance, music, and spoken word into the landscape of the park.

Featured artists include dance innovators Lisa Green, Amy Kail, Navarra Novy-Williams, Sandra Rivera, and Maxine Steinman, with influences spanning Butoh, Ballet, Flamenco, Latinx Folklorico, Modern, Afro-Caribbean, and more. They’ll be joined by musicians John Ehlis and Jessica Lurie, poet Paul Rabinowitz, and dancers Laura Mead, Caroline Fermin, and Paul Thompson.

Audience members are encouraged to bring light pillows, blankets, or folding chairs to carry along as the performance moves through the park.

This event is made possible with support from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), The Harkness Foundation for Dance, and The Medical Center Neighborhood Fund.

🎷 Summer Blossoms Jazz & Poetry Concert

Sunday, September 21 | 2:00–4:00 PM | Cloisters Lawn

Bid farewell to summer with music and poetry in the park! Curated by Jazz WaHi, this free concert blends soul-stirring live jazz with inspiring spoken word. Bring a blanket, folding chair, or picnic and enjoy an afternoon of creativity surrounded by the beauty of Cloisters Lawn.

Heather Garden Walking Tour

Saturday, September 27| 11AM | Margaret Corbin Circle Entrance

Join long-time Fort Tryon Park volunteer and garden enthusiast Madeline Byrne for a guided stroll through the beautiful Heather Garden. Learn about the history, design, and ever-changing plant life that make this unique space the heart of Fort Tryon Park.

🎉 Fort Tryon Park’s 90th Birthday Gala

Monday, September 29 | 6:00–9:30 PM | The Hudson, Dyckman Street

Fort Tryon Park is turning 90 years old, and we’re celebrating in style! Join us at The Hudson, a stunning riverfront restaurant overlooking the park, for an evening of music, dancing, and community spirit.

This year’s honorees include:

Ronda Brands – Landscape Award
Richard Dattner – Civic Architecture Award
Carmen De La Rosa – Public Service Award
Martin G. Englisher – Inaugural Dr. Ruth Community Award

Special guest Brian Lehrer of WNYC FM will join the celebration, with a musical performance by Latin Grammy Winner Ella Bric.

Program:

7:00–9:30 PM: Gala Celebration

Dress code: Festive

🎟 Tickets are on sale now! Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with contributions supporting the care of this triple-landmarked historic park—our shared backyard in Washington Heights and Inwood. Email development@forttryonparktrust.org for more info.

From volunteer days to world-class performances, Fort Tryon Park offers something for everyone this September. Don’t miss a chance to celebrate nature, history, community—and 90 years of a beloved New York City landmark.