Chair Yoga

Tuesday, January 31, 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!

Masks are required inside RISE.

Monday Morning Moves

Monday, February 6, 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!

Masks are required inside RISE.

Core on the Floor

Monday, February 6, 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Community Forum - Greater Rockaway Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan

Thursday, February 9, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
"Virtual" Dial-In to be shared closer to the date

Join RISE for our next community forum and presentation of the much anticipated schematic plan for the "Greater Rockaway" Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan.

RISE has been working with engineering firm eDesign Dynamics and WXY Architecture & Urban Design on PHASE II of this project, which includes the schematic plan of the public land, north of the Rockaway Boardwalk, Beach 17th St to Beach 76th St.

At this meeting, we will be presenting the final draft of the schematic plan for input. We encourage all local individuals and organizations to participate in order to prioritize local voices, biodiversity and long-term stewardship of the Rockaway shoreline.

Whether you are a local resident, civic organization, or school, we welcome all to attend this meeting (virtually) to learn more details about the project and the many opportunities, in which you or your association, can get involved.

RISE anticipates starting planting, monitoring and educational workshops this spring along the dune preserve and native plant nursery. Any local residents, schools (K-12) or organizations interested in being involved in this effort are encouraged to attend this virtual meeting.

Registration is required. Dial-in details for the meeting will be shared with people who register. 

Click here for more background about the project.

Community Cleanup

Saturday, March 11, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Come join RISE this spring for a cleanup to help make your community a better place for everyone. With the weather finally starting to clear up, RISE is encouraging everyone to go outside and get their hands a little dirty. 

Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event. This event is hosted rain or shine!

Registration is not required, but students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools.

Special thanks to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation for sponsoring this event.

Team RISE @ 2023 United Airlines NYC Half

Sunday, March 19, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

Meet the five folks who were selected from a pool of candidates to represent and run for RISE, an official charity partner of 2023 United Airlines NYC Half. 

The half-marathon (13.1 miles) is on Sunday, March 19, 2023, and starts at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, passes Grand Army Plaza, the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal, and Times Square, and ends near the iconic New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park.

Please support Team RISE by cheering the runners on Race Day and by donating to the cause!

Spring Dune Planting

Saturday, April 1, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd

Come join RISE for a community volunteer day culminating in a celebration of the land and water. For this dune restoration, we will be planting native grasses and shrubs to create a natural protective buffer of dunes along the east end of the Rockaways. Adults and kids alike are welcome to participate in this event. Dress accordingly.

Students looking to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools. Registration is not required, but is suggested.

Special thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for sponsoring this event.

Rockaway Bike Fest

Saturday, April 22, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Rockaway Beach Boulevard @Beach 60th Street Underpass

Join RISE & Bike NYC for day of fun-filled bike related activities including a free bike helmet giveaway and fitting, bike swap - trade in your old bike for one that is tuned up and adjusted just for you. Free learn to ride lessons will take place 12-2PM for kids and adults.
Supplies are limited on a first come first serve basis. 

Youngsters still on training wheels, can pedal our smoothie bike to make their own fruit drink.

This event is hosted across the street from the RISE Center, on a roadway closed for this event, so there is lots of room for new riders to practice. 

Special thanks to Bike New York for partnering on this event. 

3rd Annual Community Plant Swap

Saturday, April 29, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join plant enthusiasts from the Rockaway community to swap and share--plants, tools, pots, soil, tips, and more!

RISE will be providing a limited number of plants for community members to swap. We encourage folks to bring their own plants to swap out!

No registration required. 

Tree Giveaway

Saturday, April 29, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

RISE is excited to partner with New York Restoration Project again to host a FREE Tree Giveaway! Stop by the RISE Center to pick up your free tree.

*Registration is required—check back soon for the sign-up link.

17th Annual Earth Day Rockaway

Saturday, May 6, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Come and enjoy a day of fun in Rockaway with free environmental activities and programs for families and kids of all ages.

This year's event will include live music as well as a mock dolphin rescue, plantings, composting, face painting, water testing, fire safety, and art-related booths to learn how to appreciate and conserve the earth's resources.

All activities are free and intended to raise awareness of the natural resources along the Rockaway shoreline. No registration required.

Local organizations interested in participating or tabling at this event are encouraged to contact RISE Community Programs Coordinator Alana Danieu at adanieu@riserockaway.org.

Mother's Day Market

Wednesday, May 10, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE for its annual Mother's Day Market! We will have a large selection of locally Rockaway based vendors. Products include soap, baked goods, jewelry, stationary, and much more. This year, come purchase locally produced gifts for Mom! 

Any local vendors or entrepreneurs interested in participating should reach out to Community Programs Coordinator, Alana Danieu at adanieu@riserockaway.org

11th Annual Rockaway Bike Parade

Saturday, May 13, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE for the 11th Annual Rockaway Bike Parade to promote human powered transportation and raise awareness about the importance of physical health and exercise! Walk, skate or bike your way along the parade route.  Individuals, friends, businesses and local organizations are encouraged to join in. Participants must bring their own mode of transport (bikes, skates, scooters or floats) to travel the parade route and are encouraged to come dressed in costume!

The parade will depart at noon from Beach 60th Street, and travel along Rockaway Freeway to the Beach Boardwalk, where there will be a judged costume competition taking place at the end by the Beach 17th St Beach concession. All costumed participants in the parade, are eligible to win a "Best of Rockaway" Award trophy. 

This event is FREE. Anyone participating in the bike parade is required to sign in at the beginning of the parade. Children under 14 must have a parent or guardian present with them and to sign their waiver on the day of the event. All participants will receive a free Bike Parade t-shirt for participating.

Mother's Day Foraging Tour with Wildman Steve Brill

Sunday, May 14, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

For Mother's Day, RISE will be hosting a foraging tour with America's go-to guy for foraging, "Wildman" Steve Brill.

The sandy soil of the Rockaways is poor, limiting tree- and grass growth, but benefiting other species that can take advantage of the unblocked sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens will be doing great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive. Field garlic is a very tasty relative of onions and garlic. 

Registration is required, first come first serve.

Jamaica Bay Kayak and Birding Tour

Saturday, June 17, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Dubos Point, Bayfield Avenue & Beach 65th Street

Join us at our kayak and birding tour of Jamaica Bay led by our knowledgeable and experienced staff! We will be exploring this unique ecosystem and the birds that inhabit it up close and personal by kayak. Whether you're an expert or just starting with birding (or kayaking), you will learn a lot!

We will meet at Dubos Point (corner of Bayfield Ave & Beach 65th St) off Jamaica Bay.
This event is FREE and RISE will provide the kayaks, life jackets, and paddling equipment and copies of the Rockaway Field Guide! Please dress accordingly and bring a hat, sunscreen and water. 

Participants are required to sign waivers on the day of the event. Children under 18 must have a parent present to sign their waiver. 

Space is limited and advanced registration is first come first serve. Limited to 2 people per registration. 

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 for its sponsorship.

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 to the RISE Center, where Steve 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 because this event fills up fast.

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 painting pumpkins, face painting, music, dancing, festive food, and more!

This event is free and open to the public. Masks are required inside RISE.

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 buffer for the Rockaway community.

As we learned from Sandy, the natural vegetation and dunes that exist off our shores serve as a protective 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 for supporting this event.