The tiniest Park Pal scientists were in search of pollinators at a Marine Park Alliance “Just for Kids: Park Pals Pop-up” event, held at the gardens near the Carmine Carro Community Center, at 3000 Fillmore Avenue, on Saturday, September 27th. They were drawn to the milkweed plant, near the bocce courts, in hopes of a monarch butterfly sighting, and a team from the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) made sure to engage and intrigue all plant-sized scientists, aged 5 and under.
JBRPC Director of Education and Public Programs Delilah McBride explained what pollinators (animal helpers) were and read a book explaining how caterpillars change into butterflies. She encouraged the children to think about what they would look for during the garden exploration. Many raised their hands, and some called out, “flowers, bees and butterflies.” Several wanted to share that they had either been stung or knew someone who had been stung by a vicious bee (everyone can relate).
JBRPC Education and Public Programs Manager Caitlin Deblois led toddlers and their parents on a scavenger hunt of nature items around Marine Park. Children were handed magnifying lenses with lanyards for tiny scientists to put around their necks, cards with picture items that they needed to locate (pink flowers, soil, butterflies, shady areas, sunlight, etc.), and they were sent on their way to explore.
Deblois also shared her knowledge about an application called Seek with parents and how it can identify plants. All you have to do is point your phone toward the plant, snap a shot and you can become an expert.
Everyone was serious about their discoveries. “Be the pollinator,” one parent said, as their child blew the puff from a dandelion ready to carry its seeds the distance.
All tiny scientists reconvened in the Carro Center to participate in culminating activities that everyone enjoyed. Some children moved the pretend pollen and flowers to different areas at the pollen sensory station; a lot of the children transformed into their favorite pollinator in the dramatic play station, and most made sure that they planted in recyclable pots, something they could take with them and that would foster growth.
McBride wanted working parents to be able to take advantage of local, free educational programs, available during the times when busy parents were free (on the weekends or when kids don’t have school).
JBRPC Park Pals will be holding another pollinator session at Floyd Bennett Field, during Open House New York Weekend, on Sunday, October 19th, at 10 a.m.
