Tiffany Moustakas

Spooky season is almost upon us, which means it’s high time for pumpkin picking! Governors Island is gearing up for it with the return of Pumpkin Point, a family-friendly pumpkin patch with 10,000 gourds within its historic Nolan Park. The patch will be open the weekends of October 21-22 and October 28-29 and is free—though there is a suggested donation—and open from 10am to 5pm.  RECOMMENDED: The best spots for pumpkin picking NY families love While you might go for the pumpkins, you should stick around for a range of activities such as pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating and performances from the Brooklyn Magic Shop as well as the interactive bubble show Bubbledad. You will also get a chance to trick or treat at Nolan Park’s houses and pick up books from a fall book corner it’s setting up with the non-profit Brooklyn Book Bodega on Sunday, October 29. “Fall is one of the best seasons to come explore Governors Island. Whether you’re coming to check out the beautiful foliage adorning our 3,500-plus trees, explore public artworks amidst the changing seasons, or to enjoy one of New York City’s biggest pumpkin patches, there is something for everyone here on the Island this fall,” said Clare Newman, the president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “We invite all New Yorkers to hop on the ferry and enjoy the incredible lineup of free programs at Pumpkin Point 2023!” Check out the full schedule of events and activities happening each weekend here. Happy pumpkin picking! P

Brooklynites and art aficionados can enjoy the sights and sounds of creativity as the annual Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival makes its way back to the borough this weekend. The free two-day event takes place on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at The Plaza at 300 Ashland and will feature hands-on activities and performances. Festivities begin on Friday at 5pm with an improvisational dance performance from LayeRhythm.  “DBAF is a celebration of the local artistic talent that makes Downtown Brooklyn a vibrant neighborhood for all to enjoy,” Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, said in a statement. “From experimental art and dance performances to jazz and DJ sets, DBAF showcases the rich diversity of the arts and culture community in Brooklyn, which continues to grow and thrive.” Here’s what’s happening on Saturday, September 30: Kids hip-hop dance class11am-11:45am The Mark Morris Dance Group hosts a free kids hip-hop dance class to kick off Saturday’s festivities. The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s “instrument petting zoo”11:55am-12:40pm The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music drops by to show off its “instrument petting zoo” where kids can interact with a range of musical instruments.   The Knights Orchestra performs1:30pm-2pm The New York-based group “promises an exhilarating musical journey like no other.” The Mark Morris Dance Group and The Knights take the stage2pm-2:15pm The two groups will perform a short piece called “Water.” L Train

Long before Washington Square Park was a hangout spot for New Yorkers, it once served as a burial ground. Now, a headstone uncovered 14 years ago was unveiled to the public on Friday to bring attention to a piece of the park’s history. The New York City Parks Department revealed the 224-year-old tombstone belonging to 28-year-old James Jackson to the public on Friday, displaying it in a window of Washington Square Park’s Park House along with a sign explaining it. RECOMMENDED: A first look at NYC’s newly renovated Tenement Museum now open to the public “This exhibit gives New Yorkers an opportunity to learn and share the rich history of our greenspaces,” Anthony Perez, Manhattan borough commissioner for the parks department said in a press release. “Washington Square Park has served untold numbers of New Yorkers over the generations, and we are grateful that we are able to amplify the importance of remembering and respecting the history of the space.” Photograph: courtesy of NYC Parks Up until 1825, Washington Square Park had a “potter’s field,” or a mass grave for the unknown, the very poor or those who died from an epidemic. About 22,000 people who died of yellow fever were buried here, according to The New York Times. Amid park renovations in 2009, the tombstone of James Jackson, a 28-year-old Irish immigrant and watchman who died in 1799 from yellow fever, was uncovered. Jackson was apparently born in County Kildare but lived at 19 East George (now Market) Street du

If you happen to ride the subway at Times Square between midnight and 6am, prepare to see a different kind of cop patrolling the station. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams unveiled K5, a robot cop that weighs about 420 pounds and stands at about 5-foot-3, to monitor the area overnight as part of a pilot program taking place over the next two months, Gothamist reports.  RECOMMENDED: NYC is considering installing air conditioning on subway platforms K5, which comes from California-based company Knightscope, has begun mapping out the subway station with the help of a human officer and will do so for the next two weeks before the pilot program officially starts, Adams said at Friday’s press conference. Coming soon! In our effort to capitalize on emerging technology, & to maximize public safety in the subway system, you will soon see our newest rookie, officer K5, patrolling our transit system - offering you an additional layer of security & assistance. pic.twitter.com/FRTeVhGRlm — NYPD Chief of Transit (@NYPDTransit) April 12, 2023 It’s being leased for $9 an hour, operates at a maximum speed of 3 miles per hour, has a 360-degree view to record only video, and will not use any facial recognition technology. It also has a button riders can press to connect with a person. During this pilot program, don’t expect to see K5 on any train platforms. The robocop will only make rounds within the station’s mezzanine levels to serve as a “mobile camera” for subway riders, according to The New Y