LINCROFT – Looking to fill the long, lazy days of June with fun? Head to a park and enjoy the many activities offered by the Monmouth County Park System. Here’s a list of the many fun activities planned!
Concert in the Park
Thursday, June 2, 7:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
Enjoy an evening of music and fun as the Colts Neck Community Band plays a selection of popular music including show tunes. Indoor seating available or bring your picnic dinner and lawn chairs. FREE!
The Casual Birder
Thursday, June 2, 9 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell – Meet in the lobby of the Environmental Center.
Thursday, June 16, 9 a.m.
Tatum Park, Middletown – Meet in the parking lot of the Holland Activity Center.
Meander for about an hour and look for birds with a Park System Naturalist. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 8 and up. FREE!
Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir
Friday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays – June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child (age 12 and under). Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center.
Drop-In Surprise Story Time
Saturday, June 4, from 11-11:45 a.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Join us for story time. If the weather is nice, look for the clue at the Horticultural Center’s entrance that leads to the secret spot. If it’s rainy or cool, we’ll be inside. Recommended for ages 3-7. FREE!
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration
Saturday, June 4, 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how 19th century woodworking tools were used during this demonstration. FREE!
Roving Park System Naturalist
Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch – Meet at the pavilion.
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m.
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold – Meet in the Davis Station Road parking lot.
Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. FREE!
Discover Disc Golf
Saturdays and Sundays, June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Come play on this mini disc golf course. Sign in at the Visitor Center and receive the course map and use of discs. FREE!
Thompson Park Weekend Canoe Rentals
Saturdays and Sundays, June 4, 5, 18, 19, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to ages 3 and up, under 18 with adult. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.
Mill Demonstration
Saturdays and Sundays, June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, from 1-4 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
See the 19th century gristmill in action. FREE!
Music Man Rich Marzec
Sunday, June 5, from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Enjoy music from the 1890s. FREE!
Butterfly Walk
Sunday, June 5 at 10:30 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell – Meet at the Environmental Center.
Friday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Join a Park System Naturalist for a walk to identify butterflies. Walk may be a mile or more. Open to ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult. FREE!
Seabrook-Wilson House Tours
Sundays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, from 1 – 4 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and view displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!
Ask a Naturalist
Wednesday, June 8, 10 a.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park – Meet at the Rocky Point parking lot in Highlands.
Wednesday, June 22, 10 a.m.
Stonebridge Trail, Charleston Springs Golf Course, Millstone – Meet in the trail parking lot.
Bring your questions and explore the trails with our Park System Naturalist. FREE!
Drop-In Kayak Tour at Hartshorne Woods Park
Saturday, June 11, from 2-3:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown – Meet at the Claypit Creek section.
Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided – single and tandem kayaks are available. Program limited to available kayaks on a first come, first served basis. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Open to ages 12 and up, under 18 with an adult. The cost is $20 per person; cash or check only. Note: The kayak launch area is off a bulkhead. Participants will need to bend down and rotate their body to get in and out of a kayak. Weight limits for kayaks are 250 lbs. for a single and 400 lbs. for a double. Inclement weather will cancel a tour.
Horseless Carriages – Antique Autos
Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
The horseless carriage comes to Walnford with this display of pre-1946 automobiles. FREE!
Crochet/Lacemaking Demonstration
Saturday, June 11, 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See Dorothy Gratton demonstrate the art of crochet and lacemaking from the Victorian era. FREE!
Deep Cut Gardens Open House
Sunday, June 12, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Enjoy guided tours, lectures, activities, demonstrations and horticultural advice. FREE!
Climb Time
Sunday, June 12, 12 – 4 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell – Visitor Center area
Try the sport of rock climbing close to home on the Park System’s 25’ climbing wall. Climbers must be 42” or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). FREE!
Blacksmith Demonstration
Sunday, June 12, 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Come see what the Blacksmith is making in his workshop. FREE!
You Can Sail
Sundays, June 12, 26
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
See if sailing is for you during this on-the-water class where we provide the captain, you provide the crew. Limited number of boats available; maximum three people per boat. Sailors age 8 and up welcome with an adult. Sailboats leave the dock by the Visitor Center at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. The cost is $40 per boat; cash or check only.
Pollinator Week
Monday – Sunday, June 13 – 19, from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Discover the importance of pollinators, why they need help, and ways to support them. FREE!
Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market
Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck
Browse vendors at this outdoor market for the one-of-a-kind item you did not even think you needed. Admission and parking are free.
Snakes in New Jersey
Saturday and Sunday, June 18, 19, 1 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
Discover the variety of snakes found in New Jersey. FREE!
Freshwater Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 18, 2-5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Sunday, June 19, 2-5 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold
Come either day of this annual freshwater fishing derby. Staff will be on hand to show you how to cast and rig your pole. Free hands-on clinics will be available from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Fishing pole rentals are available for $5 each. Cost of each day is $25 per family of four or $8 per person; cash or check only for onsite registration.
Golf Fore Fun!
Sunday, June 19, 1-4 p.m.
Bel-Aire Golf Course, Wall
Try a variety of nontraditional golf games. Open to all ages. FREE!
Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 20-29, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Tuesday and Thursday, June 21, 23, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Popamora Point section of the Henry Hudson Trail, Highlands
Have fun with this hands-on nature program. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures and pull a seine net through the calm waters of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Meet on the beach near the park entrance. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!
Make a Fun Fish Print
Wednesday, June 22, 3 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth – Meet in the Bay House.
Make a colorful fish print of a rubber sea star, flounder, skate and more. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.
Seashell Painting
Thursday, June 23, 3 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth – Meet in the Bay House.
Bring your own shells or use ours for this craft. We’ll paint them and add a magnet. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.
Drop-in Kayak Tour of the Swimming River
Saturday, June 25, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Swimming River Park, Middletown
Join a Park System Naturalist for a guided kayak tour. Open to ages 12 and up, under 18 with adult. Novice paddlers are welcome; all equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 per person; cash or check only.
Open Shoot Archery
Sunday, June 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
Join us for this open shoot. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This offering is designed for experienced archers. Open to ages 10 and up (under 18 with adult). Cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.
The Roots of Root Beer
Sunday, June 26, 1 – 4 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Enjoy thirst quenching history with fun facts about root beer, its connection to the Waln family, and the chance to sample a variety of brews. FREE!
Tidal Tuesdays
Tuesday, June 28, 11 a.m.
Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan
Discover exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats with a Park System Naturalist during a hands-on activity. FREE!
To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation agency.