Riverside and Central Parks have some fun events on tap the next two weeks.

This weekend, both parks will be mulching up those Christmas trees. Via Community Board 7:

MULCH

“Ring in the New Year by recycling your Xmas tree on January 11 and 12, 2014 at NYC Parks’ annual MulchFest from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at locations citywide.

Bring your holiday tree to one of over 80 designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city or your own garden. Free mulch collection bags are provided for your convenience.

There will be 36 chipping sites and 47 drop-off sites throughout the five boroughs. Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site.

On the Upper West Side there are three convenient locations to bring your tree:
1. Riverside Park at 83rd Street & Riverside Drive.
2. Central Park at 81st Street & Central Park West
3. Central Park at 63rd Street & Central Park West.

For a list of all sites visit the MulchFest website. MulchFest is supported this year by Whole Foods.”

ICE SCULPTING

Check out live ice sculpting in Central Park on January 18. Via the Central Park Conservancy:

When: Saturday, January 18 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Where: Bethesda Terrace (Mid-Park at 72^nd Street)

What: Sculptors will carve the iconic details of Bethesda Terrace out of huge blocks of ice

Using chisels, chainsaws, icepicks and enormous blocks of ice, sculptors will recreate the ornate details of Bethesda Terrace as Central Park visitors watch in the Conservancy’s annual Ice Festival.

Features that will be carved include the Angel of the Waters sculpture at the center of Bethesda Fountain, along with the intricately carved, seasonal designs along the Terrace’s staircases.

The Conservancy will share the history of the 155-year-old site, which was designed to be the “heart of Central Park,” along with the story of the Conservancy’s restoration and maintenance of the site.

Visitors can keep warm with hot chocolate. Visitors can also purchase photos to commemorate their time at the 2014 Ice Festival, which will be provided by Freeze Frame.

Photo courtesy of the Conservancy.