The Monmouth County Park System fills July with family friendly activities. Among the activities are the following:
• Drop-In Surprise Story Time, July 1, 11-11:45 a.m., Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. A clue at the entrance will lead guests to the secret spot in the gardens. If the weather is rainy, the activity will be inside the Horticultural Center. Recommended for ages 4-7. Free.
• Roving Naturalist, July 1, 9 a.m., Crosswicks Creek Greenway, Upper Freehold Township, meet in the Province Line Road parking lot; July 16, 9 a.m., Holmdel Park, Holmdel, meet in the Ramanessin Trail parking area; July 29, 9 a.m.,
Perrineville Lake Park, Millstone Township, meet in the Agress Road parking area.
Join a naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. Program lasts 90 minutes to two hours. Free.
• You Can Sail, July 1, July 16, July 21, July 22 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. This is an on-water class. Park system provides the captain, participants provide the crew. Limited number of boats available; maximum three people per boat. Sailors age 8 and up welcome with an adult. The cost is $40 per boat; cash or check only.
• Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford, July 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30, 1-4 p.m., Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Free.
• Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, July 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.; July 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.; July 7 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 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. Call to confirm schedule as tours are dependent on weather and water level. All tours leave from the Visitor Center.
• Seabrook-Wilson House Tours, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 1-4 p.m., Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown. Visit the house which dates back to the early 1700s and see displays about the ecology of the bay and local history. Free.
• Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, July 3-31, 11 a.m. to noon, Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures by pulling 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 must stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. Free.
• Independence Day celebration, July 4, noon to 3 p.m., Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Join the farm staff as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests. Free.
• The Casual Birder, July 6, 9 a.m., Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet by the Visitors Center bait shop; July 20, 9 a.m., Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, meet in the parking lot. Join a park system naturalist for a laid back morning bird walk. Bring binoculars. Open to ages 8 and up. Free.
• Threshing demonstration, July 8-9, noon to 2 p.m., Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Take a step back in time and watch an antique threshing machine in action. Free.
• Butterfly Walk, July 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Lincroft, meet in the Sunnyside Road parking lot; July 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m.,
Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro, meet in the first parking lot. Join a park system naturalist to identify butterflies found in the fields. Walk may be 1 mile or more. Open to ages 7 and up, under 18 with adult. Free.
• Climb Time, July 15, noon to 4 p.m., Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. Try the sport of rock climbing on the park system’s 25-foot-tall climbing wall. Climbers must be 42 inches or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). Free.
• Open Shoot Archery, July 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. This is an open shoot designed for experienced archers. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. Open to ages 10 and up (under 18 with adult). Cost is $10 per person, cash or check only.
To learn more about these activities, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the park system TTY/TDD number is 711.