Littoral Interpretations, Riparian Repairs: So Much to Sea and Do on City of Water Day
Saturday, July 12, is the 18th annual City of Water Day, a region-wide festival to focus attention on the waters around us, presented by the Waterfront Alliance and the New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program. More than 80 recreational and educational activities will be taking place at the coastlines of New York Harbor, and area’s interconnected rivers, bays, creeks, and canals.
To join the fun, make your way to the nearest shoreline, where you are likely to be handed a fishing pole, helped aboard a boat, or invited to measure oysters. In Lower Manhattan, events will be held at the Hudson and East Rivers, from Pier 40 on the west side to Pier 16 in the South Street Seaport.
• At Pier 40 in Hudson River Park, visit the Wetlab and pick up a free water testing kit. Learn how to report your tests to the EPA.
• Aboard the historic steamship Lilac (at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park), a new exhibit, “Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal,” celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.
• Along the Rockefeller Park esplanade (in Battery Park City), learn about life in and at the Hudson River on an interactive nature walk starting at 11am.
• On Governors Island, meet some of the mollusks repopulating New York Harbor, thanks to the Billion Oyster Project. Head to Building 16 in Nolan Park for hands-on activities, educational tabling, and oyster research station monitoring, and learn how oysters help restore the harbor and build climate resilience.
• At the South Street Seaport Museum’s trio of locations (Pier 16, the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, and 213 Water Street) enjoy free admission and experience Sounds of the Sea for Solidarity, an immersive audio experience.
• At Pier 16, meet representatives from the NYC Economic Development Corporation at 2pm and join a special walking tour of the Seaport and the Financial District, focused on local flood protection efforts. Learn about what the City is doing to protect Lower Manhattan from climate change, while redeveloping the waterfront.