Great Escape: Alley Pond Environmental Center

Want a hint of the wilderness without having to leave your own back yard? Your answer is The Alley Pond Environmental Center, right in the heart of northeast Queens on the heels of Northern Blvd., the Cross Island Pkwy., and Little Neck Bay.

Bet you didn’t know that Alley Pond Park boasts 635 acres of forests, fresh and salt water marshes, meadows and parks which are the home to over 300 species of birds and other wildlife. APEC’s mission is to protect the park and educate children and adults, through a variety of programs for families and school groups. 

On March 19, astronomer Mark Freilich will present the final session of “An Evening with the Stars,” during which guests of all ages view winter constellations like Orion and the Pleiades. The sessions are comprised of an indoor lecture and outdoor viewing, and participants are encouraged to dress warm and welcome to bring their own telescopes. It starts at 7:30 p.m., and costs only $12 for non-members (admission for children, ages 7-12, cost $7).

They have a variety of weekend drop-off programs, so you can leave the kids in a reputable, safe and educational setting, offering a little break for parents. Those programs include nature photography, owl pellet dissection and animal care training. The costs vary and the programs are limited to a certain number of kids.

For more information, call 718-229-4000 or visit www.alleypond.com.