“SEE NEW YORK AT 3MPH!” Shorewalkers’ mission is to enhance, enjoy and protect the parks, promenades, and paths along the waters throughout the New York metropolitan area. Membership is $20 a year though you do not have to be a member to join a hike (though you may want to make a tiny donation). Improve your health and stamina, have fun on your feet while enjoying great walks, protect our shore areas, explore and learn about the Hudson estuary and other shore areas, and meet interesting people along the shore!

The Shorewalkers are best known for their annual Great Saunter around the perimeter of Manhattan, though you may have heard of Batt-to-Bear, their Hudson River hike from Battery Park to Bear Mountain. Check out their calendar for more hikes; there’s a hike three days out of the week.

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Thank you, Mkekado School of Karate Kickboxing & Self-Defense, for caring about our safety! Free weekly classes for anyone over 10 years old. The Active Self-Defense Classes are classes in situational awareness, utilizing efficient, simple techniques to promote self-defense. They encompass education, prevention & implementation.

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The park holds various free events in every month. Check out the calendar for more details. There is a great outdoor free film series every Monday in June-August at 5pm. The large screen faces the back of the library.  In addition, many Broadway shows perform a few highlights during lunchtime on the lawn July-August.  The park gets crowded so try to get there by noon for a seat on the lawn.

Bryant Park After Work holds concerts beginning at 6pm featuring an eclectic selection of music, from jazz pianists to string quartets and more, featuring New York area artists.

There are also free classes in Tai Chi, Knitting, and yoga throughout the day and morning bird tours from April to October.

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If your physical or mental health has been negatively affected by 9/11, the city will provide you free help. You can visit the city’s official website.

• WTC Centers of Excellence – will provide free health treatments, medication, and counseling
• Columbia Trauma and PTSD Center – Free psychiatric help for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prolonged grief, and other trauma-related disorders

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Yes you can hike in NYC!  Enjoy the greenery and forget you’re in the city.  Bring water, sunscreen, baseball hat, and rest as often as you need to.

• North Woods of Central Park – view the map
• List of hikes by borough
• High Line (now open to public)

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Choices in Childbirth offers free monthly meetings for expectant parents to know their options, meet other new parents, and address a different topic each month. Find our how you can achieve a more safe and satisfying birth. View the 2009 meeting schedule.

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Free and Confidential Clinics provided by the Health Department exists in all 5 borough and so are open on Saturdays. For additional information call 311. Services include HIV counseling, rapid HIV testing, viral hepatitis services, and STD services.

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This group organizes frequent walks to motivate and help improve the health of the public. Check out their website for specific dates and details.

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Free health workshops, free sexual and reproductive health publications, a Facts-of-Life hotline, and health training.

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Free HIV testing at the following HAF locations:

• HAF Bronx, Monday through Thursday 10am-6:30pm
  886 Westchester Ave Bronx NY 10459 / (718) 328-4188
• HAF Manhattan, Monday through Friday 9am-4:30pm
  213 W 35th St, 12th Floor, New York NY 10001 / (212) 868-6230
• HAF Queens, Monday through Thursday 9am-7pm
  62-07 Woodside Ave, 3rd Floor, Woodside NY 11377 / (718) 803-2766

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