Events

Rockaway Stop 'N' Swap

Saturday, June 3, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Beach 60th Street & Rockaway Freeway

It's free! Give away items you no longer need or take home something new-to-you! You don't have to bring something to take something.

What to Bring

YES: Clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, housewares, electronics, books, and toys.

NO: Furniture, large items, expired or open food, unsealed personal care products, medicine, dirty or ripped clothing, fabric scraps, incomplete toys and games, nonworking electronics, tube TVs, magazines, or sharp objects.

This event is brought to you by GrowNYC. Stop 'N' Swap is funded by New York City Sanitation.

Monday Morning Moves

Monday, June 5, 11:00 am to 11:45 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Ann Fosteris's Fitness to You embraces making a positive impact and living a healthy lifestyle, which includes staying active and maintaining a healthy weight. There is no need to register. Just show up at RISE on Monday morning at eleven o'clock and join neighbors of all ages and fitness levels. You will feel good and look great in no time!

Core on the Floor

Monday, June 5, 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

"I want to try out a new class at RISE," said Ann Fosteris of Fitness to You. "If there is interest, a good time to begin will be January."

Well, there is interest! Core on the Floor, a thirty-minute class focusing on core and lower body, will be offered weekly at RISE. Participants should bring their own mats. All levels are welcome.

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, June 6, 10:30 am to 11:15 am
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Ruth Graves, certified yoga instructor, teaches a free chair yoga class on Tuesday mornings, 10:30 to 11:15, at RISE. Ruth has practiced all kinds of yoga (chair, mat, Shivananda) for more than twenty years. She studied with Lakshmi Voelker, worked at Rockaway YMCA, and even refined her skills at Shivananda in the Bahamas.

All are welcome--from beginners to seasoned practitioners and everyone in between!

Greater Rockaway Coastal Plan Exhibition Reception

Thursday, June 8, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join us in celebrating the hard work of all who have contributed to Greater Rockaway Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan.

We will have a short presentation of the plan by RISE, eDesign Dynamics, and W X Y architecture + urban design, as well as an exhibition of the project followed by a reception for all the gardeners, school groups, local community partners, and stakeholders to celebrate the incredible work accomplished this year!

Light food and refreshments will be served. RSVP is appreciated.

Register

Rockaway Market Street @ Beach 60th

Saturday, June 10, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Beach 60th Street & Rockaway Freeway, Under the Elevated A-train Tracks

You asked for it, and now you've got it! Spend the first part of your Saturday at Rockaway Market Street @ Beach 60th. It is the second season for the only outdoor farmers market on the Rockaway peninsula. Jammers Steel will be the opening day act, performing on their steel drums!

The 2023 market season takes place every Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., June 10 to October 28, and has live music, food sampling, and related activities. The mission of Rockaway Market Street @ Beach 60th is to support regional farmers and vendors with opportunities to sell their vegetables, fruits, homemade food products, baked goods, and locally made crafts and products to the general public.

Please help us spread the word about the farmers market with your networks and social media. If you have any questions, you can e-mail us at info@riserockaway.org. Thank you!

Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup

Saturday, September 23, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Dubos Point (Bayfield Avenue & Beach 65th Street)

Rockaway residents of all ages are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event along Jamaica Bay. For this cleanup, we will be clearing the area of any litter in order to prevent marine debris in our waterways. As members of our community, we need to do our best to keep our bay clean for all visitors and wildlife.

Students can receive community service hours for their efforts. Registration is not required. This event will take place rain or shine!

Special thanks to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Foraging Tour with "Wildman" Steve Brill

Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

If the weather is bad, we will move indoors, where "Wildman" Steve Brill will lead a session on plant identification, the natural habitat of the Rockaways, and all the best wild foods of the seashore.

The sandy soil limits tree and grass growth, but it benefits other species that can take advantage of the sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens and dozens of species thrive here.

This event is free and will happen rain or shine. Registration is required.

Register

10th Annual Hip-Hop Halloween & Harvest Celebration

Saturday, October 14, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE for the 10th Annual Hip-Hop Halloween & Harvest Celebration, as we celebrate with family and friends in Rockaway Hip-Hop Community Garden. Come and take part in painting pumpkins, face painting, music, dancing, festive food, and more!

This event is free and open to the public.

Sandy Anniversary Cleanup & Planting

Saturday, October 21, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Beach 41st Street & the Boardwalk

For the 11th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, RISE is bringing people of all ages together to care for our shoreline and create a natural protective barrier for the Rockaway community.

As we learned from Sandy, the natural vegetation and dunes that exist off our shores serve as a buffer to the homes and businesses in the area. Many of these dunes are compromised by storms and shoreline erosion and need to be cared for to be effective.

Families, friends, and neighbors are welcome to participate in this dune planting and restoration project. Students can receive community service hours. This event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Registration is not required.

Special thanks to L&M Development and Bluestone Group.