The city is bringing science to a park near you.

Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston Parks and Recreation are launching a new annual educational series aimed at kids and families that will teach science and nature through fun, free events at local parks and playgrounds.

From sky-viewing to tree lectures – from West Roxbury to Beacon Hill – the interactive series kicks off July 16 and runs through Sept. 22.

Dates and locations for the Park Science series are as follows:

Monday, July 16, 10 a.m. to noon                

• Nature Walk, Allandale Woods, West Roxbury – the Boston Parks Department and MA Audubon present nature walks through this unique Urban Wild for people of all ages.

Monday, July 23, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.                     

• Tree Lecture, Public Garden, Boston – the Boston Parks Department and MA Audubon host an informative tree lecture for people of all ages.

Friday, August 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.                   

• Arnold Arboretum Free Fun Fridays, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain – through the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation, the Arnold Arboretum is participating in Free Fun Fridays in partnership with the Boston Parks Department. Enjoy Family activities, botanical art lessons and more, presented for people of all ages.

Wednesday, August 29, 4 p.m.  to 5 p.m.                    

• New England Aquarium Tidal Pool, Myrtle Street Playground, Beacon Hill – The New England Aquarium brings their traveling tidal pool to Myrtle Street Playground, where kids can handle and observe a wide range of live tidal pool animals from local waters. This is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn about biology and marine life in a hands-on, outdoor experience.

Saturday, September 22, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.                

• Sky Viewing, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain – The Arnold Arboretum with Harvard University’s College Observatory provides a brilliant viewing mechanism to see the night sky like you’ve never seen it before, with or without telescopes. Explore the face of the moon, search for double stars, nebulae, and even see the Andromeda Galaxy.

For further information on Park Science and ParkARTS programs, call (617) 961-3051 or visit the Parks Department online at www.cityofboston.gov/parks or www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment.