Chelsea pumpkins contemplate their inevitable smashing, at the Nov. 1 Jack-O’-Lantern Composting event.
BY SCOTT STIFFLER
HAUNTED HIGH LINE HALLOWEEN
Before it was your friendly neighborhood park, the High Line was a spooky and sometimes dangerous no-man’s land where trains ruled the tracks. Find out the truth behind the legends, at Friends of the High Line’s annual family-friendly Halloween celebration. Caped and costumed kid explorers will trick-or-treat with characters like the Mad Cookie Man and the West Side Cowboy, make giant art creations, explore a haunted train tunnel, and discover how brave children helped make the High Line happen.
Free. From 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 25. On the High Line (W. 14th St. to W. 17th St.). For info, visit thehighline.org. Follow the High Line on Facebook or @highlinenyc on Twitter for updates about these events.
JACKSON SQUARE PARK HALLOWEEN PARTY
It used to be unsightly and unsettling, but now it’s lush and tranquil — and for an afternoon, it just might be a little scary. Celebrate the newly beautified Jackson Square Park at this Halloween party sponsored by the Jackson Square Alliance (who, along with students from Notre Dame School, are committed to Park maintenance and upkeep). Treats for the little ones and coffee for the big kids will be provided, as well as prizes for the 3 p.m. Pumpkin Decorating Contest and the 5 p.m. Costume Parade. Everyone is invited, even your dog (who’ll go home with a snapshot, courtesy of the 4 p.m. Biscuits & Bath Canine photo shoot).
Free. From 3–6:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 29. At Jackson Square Park (Horatio St. & Eighth Ave.). For info, visit jacksonsquarealliance.org.
JACK-O’LANTERN COMPOSTING
What a difference a day makes. Smash a pumpkin on Halloween night, and you’re a mischievous punk — but do it on November 1, and you’re an upstanding, green-minded member of the community. Give your favorite October gourd a second life, at Chelsea’s annual Jack-O’-Lantern Composting event. Members of the 300 W. 23rd, 22nd & 21st Sts. Block Association, Citizen Grower and the NYC Compost Project will be on hand to supervise the purpose-driven destruction of pumpkins, then provide compost education and outreach (and free snacks!).
Free. From 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 1, at Clement Clarke Moore Park (22nd St. & 10th Ave.). For more info, send and email to 300wba@gmail.com. Also visit citizengrower.com, nyc.gov/compostproject.
Suit up and explore the High Line’s spooky past (and present?), at Oct. 25’s Haunted High Line Halloween event.
TODDLER HALLOWEEN PARTY
The Penn South Toddler Committee’s annual Halloween Party takes place on Sat., Nov. 1 from 3–5:30 p.m. in Pinwheel Park (btw. 24th & 25th Sts. and Eighth & Ninth Aves.).
Free. This event is open to the general public. For more info, send an email to pennsouthtoddlers@hotmail.com.
