Marine Park Coastline (Kids 12 & Under)

This vastly underappreciated park is a forager's paradise in the making, offering an exceptional variety of wild foods drawn from its rich seashore habitat. The sandy soil, while poor in nutrients and limiting tree growth, creates ideal conditions for sun-loving, hardy plants that have adapted to thrive in exposed, competitive environments. Violet Brill, one of America's foremost foraging educators, will guide you through both renewable and invasive species you'll want to know.

The open fields south of Avenue U yield an impressive variety of edible plants, including curly dock (no relation to Moe Dock or Larry Dock, Nyuck! Nyuck! Nyuck!), garlic mustard, field garlic, wild asparagus, daylily shoots, common mallow, hairy bittercress, and winter cress. You will also encounter significant medicinal plants, including mullein, used for coughs and respiratory ailments since the time of Hippocrates, and pineapple-weed, a fragrant relative of chamomile prized for tea and digestive support.

Notes:

• Participants should be dressed for the weather and should be aware that subway service in this area can be unreliable, as trains are frequently rerouted or cancelled due to track work.
• Sandals are not appropriate footwear due to mosquitoes, thorns, and the presence of poison ivy.
• Each participant should bring plastic bags for vegetables and herbs, paper bags for mushrooms (which spoil in plastic), containers for berries from late spring through fall, water, lunch, and extra layers when the weather is cool.
• Digging implements and pocket knives are optional.
• Dogs are welcome.
• Children are warmly encouraged to attend.
• Smoking is not permitted at any time during the tour.