Forsyth Nature Center
Welcome to the Virtual home of the Forysth Nature Center!
The Forsyth Nature Center has been growing and changing for many years.
The Mission of the Forsyth Nature Center is “To foster the exploration of the natural world in and around our community through educational programming and contact with flora and fauna at an interpretive facility”
The Forsyth Nature Center has 24 animal exhibits and a dozen gardens that contain a variety of native flora found right here in the Hudson Valley.
The Nature Center has been a fixture in the Kingston Community since 1936 and continues to grow and expand with the help of the community through its Friends of Forsyth Nature Center, a not for profit group and with the support of the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department.
Silly, the Desert Tortoise
Amenities Include:
Animal Exhibits
The Forsyth Nature Center has a variety of Native, Exotic and Domestic animal exhibits, all designed for hands on exploration for both children and adults. These include our new turtle house, birds of prey exhibits, domestic and wild birds, small and large mammal exhibits and tropical amphibian and reptile greenhouse.
Educational Exhibits
Not only does the Forsyth Nature Center boasts a variety of animal exhibits and gardens, there are also many educational areas and displays located at the nature center that are used for programming and for the daily visitors to enjoy.
These areas include the Interpretive Kiosk, John Burroughs Reading Nook, Maple Sugaring Area, Tree Nursery, Apiary (Beehive), Picnic Area and Gazebo (Available for Guided Birthday Parties), Demonstration Area and much more.
Gardens and Ponds
There are many beautiful areas to enjoy while you visit the Forsyth Nature Center. They include Woodland, Wildflower, Sensory, Rose, and Hummingbird Gardens. The nature center is also home to a demonstration vegetable garden, berry patch, strawberry patch and much more
While visiting, make sure you visit our duck pond and native pond which has a dozen different types of plants, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects.
All of this, and more, FOR FREE (Donations are accepted)!
For a Virtual Tour, please visit www.forsythnaturecenter.org.
Directions:
The Forsyth Nature Center is located on Lucas Avenue in uptown Kingston. The Nature Center can also be accessed through the adjacent Dietz Stadium Sports Complex
Hours:
Winter Hours (Columbus Day Weekend - Memorial Day Weekend)
Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day Easter 9:00am - 1:00pm
Summer Hours (Memorial Day Weekend - Columbus Day Weekend)
M-F 9:00am - 7:00pm
Holidays and Weekends 9:00am - 5:00pm
Park History:
Forsyth Park, built on 18.55 acres was donated by the family of James C. Forsyth, who served as the Ulster County Judge in 1841. His daughters signed the bill suggesting the use of the park was for “quiet enjoyment and benefit of the public, male and female alike”.
The Forsyth Park Zoo was founded when a bear roamed into the park in 1936. WPA built a house for the bear to keep it safe, and over the years animals slowly joined the Forsyth Nature Center. Llamas, goats, donkeys, deer, pheasants, along with many more mammals and birds were added to the center, resulting in a zoo for educational purposes.
Decades later, the Forsyth Nature Center has 24 animal exhibits and a dozen gardens that contain a variety of native flora found here in the Hudson Valley.
Today, the Mission of the Forsyth Nature Center is “To foster the exploration of the natural world in and around our community through educational programming and contact with flora and fauna at an interpretive facility”.
The Nature Center has been a fixture in the Kingston Community since 1936 and continues to grow and expand with help from the community. Through dedicated volunteers from Friends of Forsyth Nature Center, a non-profit organization, and support from the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department; the Nature Center has become an educational stepping stone and a family-friendly place to explore species of all kinds.
Interested in becoming a Member of the Friends of Nature Forsyth Center? Membership is just one of many ways you can support the FNC! For more information, please visit www.forsythnaturecenter.org.