What we’re about
ABOUT THIS GROUP
I am also the Founder of the Meetup group called NYC Hiking Tours which has been in existence for more than nine years. See: https://4142298.xyz/NYC-Hiking-Tours/
This Meetup group is the little sister/little brother of NYC Hiking Tours. We are an independent group of friends and would be friends who enjoy walking and hiking together. It is designed for people who are fit and in reasonably good shape and who want to get some exercise.
In this group, we will only conduct a limited number of hikes each year. There will be little commentary on these events except from time to time I may say somethings that I think is extremely funny-although, in rare cases, you may not think so. The hikes will be at a reasonable pace with very few stops. (Of course, we will always make several bathroom stops along the way.)
I plan on leading hikes in Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach, Forest Park, Riverside Park, Upper Manhattan. etc., etc.
I will NOT accept any monetary contributions if you attend events with New York City Hikes no matter how strong your desire might be to contribute.
I like to think all events we conduct will be a lot of fun and interesting. However, I do take the RSVP process very seriously. Although most folks in Meetup are reliable and considerate, unfortunately too many are not. In other words, there will be no place in the group for anyone who abuses the RSVP process. I am just asking that all members be considerate to me and others in the Group and everyone act responsibly.
I also require that members use a real first name unless I know them.
Meetup Details will only be provided to those who RSVP and are never publicized on the website.
ABOUT ME
I’ve been a licensed NYC sightseeing guide for nearly 20 years. I have led tours in different parts of New York City for tourists from all over the world, camp kids, locals who want to learn more about the City, college and alumni groups and even a fairly large group of Danish architects (coincidentally, I once lived in Copenhagen while I was in college). I have also led tours for Open House New York and the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC). At one time, I was also a volunteer hike leader for probably the premier hiking club in the Northeast where I have led tours in the woods upstate and in New York City for 15 years.
In July 2018, a novel I wrote called You Gotta Have Heart was published. It's a coming of age story about an orphaned boy growing up in New York City. Some of the most memorable scenes of the book take place in areas of New York City that we hike in. The book is suitable for both adults and children.
Healthy living is very important to me. I spend a lot of time exploring NYC, read a lot, enjoy listening to music and watching movies and I have extensive training in the martial arts and even regularly train to this day.
WAIVER AND RELEASE
Your participation in any activities of New York City Hikes is your acknowledgement that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness to participate in that activity.
Walkers and Hikers must be physically fit. There are always inherent risks that can cause or lead to injury, property damage, illness, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others when participating in an activity. Some, but not all of these risks include: hazardous and unpredictable ground, water or weather conditions, traffic conditions, misjudgments made by the leader or a participant, the potential that the participant or others may act carelessly or recklessly, etc. etc. New York City Hikes cannot assure a participant’s safety or eliminate any of these risks. The participant is voluntarily participating in any activity conducted by New York City Hikes with knowledge of these risks and therefore participant smust accept full responsibility for the inherent and other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities, and for any injury, damage, death or other loss suffered by the participant.
By joining any event conducted by New York City Hikes, the participant agrees to release and not sue New York City Hikes, and/or Bruce Bernstein with regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees) for any injury, property damage, illness including the corona virus, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others in any way connected with the participation in an activity. Should a participant bring an action against New York City Hikes and/or Bruce Bernstein despite this waiver of liability that participant will be responsible for any and all attorneys fees incurred by New York City Hikes and/or Bruce Bernstein in defending such action.
