By Jennifer R Jones | Posted on September 23, 2009 10:00 AM
National Parks Week In New York Brings The Beauty Of America's National Parks To The City, Offering Free Public Events, Featuring Highlights From Filmmaker Ken Burns' PBS Series
National Parks Week Brings the Great Outdoors to the City
Majestic mountains, pristine lakes, endless geysers and streams…Normally, to visit a national park you’d have to buy a plane ticket—or at least a pair of hiking boots. But this week, the national parks are coming to you--It’s National Parks Week in New York. (Yes, it does seem like there’s a week for just about everything; and yes, it does seem like most of them are taking place right about now.) The week-long event (Sept. 19-27) offers a number of free public events around the city; the major event, “Feel Free: A National Parks Celebration in Central Park,” takes place tonight (Sept. 23) in Central Park’s East Meadow at 7:00 PM; it will feature highlights from filmmaker Ken Burns' upcoming PBS series "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea."
Performers including Jose Feliciano (don’t expect Feliz Navidad), Carole King and Alison Knauss will also be on hand. Events around the city this week include a program on the impact of the American Revolution on New York at the Federal Hall National Memorial (Wall and Nassau Steets); expect staff in period costumes and a fife and drum corps. (And really, be honest, have you actually ever seen a fife and drum corps before?) You can also go on a tour of park environments at the American Museum of Natural History on Sept. 26 (Central Park West and 81st Street). (For a full list of events, go to feefree.org) So who actually needs to go to Yosemite when it has up and come to you?
