The Monmouth County Park System has planned events for people of all ages during October. For more information, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the park system TTY/TDD number is 711.
• Mill Demonstration, Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Free.
• Open Ceramics, Oct. 1 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft. Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Children age 12 and under are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.
• Men’s Open Gym Basketball, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 8-10 a.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. The cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.
• Seabrook-Wilson House Tours, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 1-4 p.m. at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown. Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and see displays about the ecology of the bay and local history. Free.
• The Casual Birder, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. at Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point section in Highlands. Join a park system naturalist for this morning bird walk. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. Open to ages 8 and up. Free.
• Co-Ed Open Basketball, age 20 and up, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 8-10 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. The emphasis of this program is exercise and fun. The cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.
• Butterfly Walk, Oct. 6 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet at the Environmental Center. With a park system naturalist, identify butterflies found in the fields. Walk may be 1 mile or more. Open to ages 7 and up, under 18 with adult. Free.
• Cookstove Demonstration, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Visit the out kitchen and see what’s cooking on the woodstove. Free.
• School’s Out Drop-In Days, Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Stop by and enjoy science exploration stations, take home kids creations, building time, and open gym time during this self-guided program open to ages 5-10 with adult. The cost is $5 per child per day; cash or check only.
• 7 Prez SK8 Jam, Oct. 14 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch. Held at the Skateplex, this amateur skateboarding contest also features local skateboard and food vendors. The cost to compete is $15 per person; cash or check only. Event admission and parking are free.
• Thompson Park Day, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft.
Scarecrow contest, doggie costume contest, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids races, entertainment and more. Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.
• Roving Naturalist, Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. at Hominy Hill Golf Course, Colts Neck, meet in the Matthews Road parking lot. Join a roving naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. Free.
• Accordion Melodies of the 1890s, Oct. 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. Free.
• Climb Time, Oct. 22 from 1-5 p.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township.
Try the park system’s 25-foot-tall portable climbing wall. Climbers must be 42 inches tall or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). Free.
• Nature Lecture Series: The Real Story of the Jersey Devil, Oct. 26 from 7-8 p.m.
at Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth, Middletown.
Discover the possible origins and stories of the Jersey Devil legend during this talk led by a park system naturalist. Free.
• 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration, Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See the farm staff use 19th century woodworking tools. Free.