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

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, February 7, 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.

Community Forum on "Greater Rockaway Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan"

Thursday, February 9, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Virtual meeting sign-in to be shared closer to the date!

Join RISE for our next community forum and presentation of the much anticipated schematic for "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 boardwalk, Beach 17th Street to Beach 76th Street.

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

Whether you are a Rockaway resident, school, or civic organization, we welcome all to attend this virtual meeting to learn more details about the project and the many opportunities in which you can get involved!

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

Registration is required. Sign-in details for the virtual meeting will be shared with those 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 Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE this spring for a cleanup to help make our community a better place. 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, rain or shine.

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

Special thanks to New York State Department 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!

Community Dune Planting

Saturday, April 1, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692

Join RISE for a community volunteer day, culminating in a celebration of the land and water. As a part of "Greater Rockaway Community & Shoreline Enhancement Plan," 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. Please dress accordingly.

Students who want to do community service hours are encouraged to bring paperwork from their schools. Registration is not required, but it is recommended.

Rockaway Bike Fest

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

Join RISE & Bike New York for a day of fun-filled bike-related activities, including a free bike helmet giveaway/fitting and a 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 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 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 RISE, on a closed roadway, so there is lots of room for new riders to practice!

Special thanks to Bike New York for its partnership.

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 provide a limited number of plants for community members to swap. And we encourage folks to bring their own plants to trade!

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 to host a FREE tree giveaway! Stop by RISE 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

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 Alana Danieu, RISE Community Programs Coordinator, 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 Rockaway-based vendors. Products include soap, baked goods, jewelry, stationery, and much more. This year, come purchase locally produced gifts for Mom.

Any local vendors or entrepreneurs interested in participating should reach out to Alana Danieu, RISE Community Programs Coordinator, 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 route. Individuals, friends, businesses, and local organizations are encouraged to join. Participants must bring their own mode of transport (bikes, skates, scooters, or floats) 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 boardwalk, where there will be a costume competition at the end, by the Beach 17th Street concession. All costumed participants are eligible to win "Best of Rockaway Award" trophy.

This event is FREE. Anyone participating is required to sign in at the beginning of the bike parade. Children under 14 years old must have a parent or guardian present with them, to sign their waiver. 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 it benefits other species that can take advantage of the sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens grow 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 served.

Jamaica Bay Kayak & Birding Tour

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

Join RISE at our kayak and birding tour of Jamaica Bay, led by our knowledgeable and experienced staff. We will explore this unique ecosystem and the birds that inhabit it, up close and personal by kayak. Whether you are an expert birder/kayaker or just starting out, you will learn a lot!

We will meet at Dubos Point (corner of Bayfield Avenue & Beach 65th Street), off Jamaica Bay.
This event is FREE, and RISE will provide kayaks, life jackets, paddling equipment, and copies of A Field Guide and Handbook on the Rockaways in the Borough of Queens. Please dress accordingly and bring a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Participants are required to sign waivers. Children under 18 years old must have a parent present to sign their waiver.

Space is limited, and advance registration is first come, first serve. Limited to two (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, 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.

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 for supporting this event.