February may be the shortest month of the year, but the Monmouth County Park System packs it with fun activities for residents to enjoy. Here’s what is planned:
Roving Naturalist. 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Big Brook Park, Marlboro – Meet in the main parking lot. 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen – Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Join a Roving Naturalist for a walk on well-maintained trails and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 1.5- to 2-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain and snow are not deterrents. Free.
Yarn Bee. 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
Knit or crochet at one’s own pace during this gathering; all levels are welcome. Farm staff will be on hand to assist those learning. Bring supplies or borrow for the session. Open to ages 10 and older; younger than 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.
Open Ceramics. 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft.
Choose from a large selection of bisque-fired pottery pieces to glaze and make one. Children age 12 and younger 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.
Groundhog’s Day. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold.
Celebrate groundhogs and the halfway mark of winter with fun facts and activities for all ages. Free.
Wondrous Winter Walk. 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Clayton Park, Upper Freehold – Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot. 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen – Meet in the main parking lot. 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Meet in the Rocky Point section parking lot.
Toss on winter gear and tag along with a park system naturalist exploring nature in the wintertime. Open to all ages; younger than 18 with adult. Note that sturdy footwear is recommended; trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. Free.
The Casual Birder. 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck – Meet in the soccer field parking area. 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold – Meet in the Province Line Road parking area.
Join a park system naturalist for a laidback morning bird walk. Meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds can be found. 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. Walk will be held even with light rain or snow, so come dressed for the weather. Free.
Cutting, Splitting and Hewing. Noon – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
See the farm staff prepare firewood and learn about the tools they use. Open to adults. Free.
Historical Valentines. 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, February 8-9. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold.
View samples of historical 19th century Valentines and make a heartfelt, carefully crafted card using historically inspired materials. Open to ages 10 and older. Free.
Seashell Sunday. 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth.
See an assortment of live mollusks, crustaceans, and cool beach finds and artifacts while learning where shells come from and how to collect them without harming the environment. Bring unidentified or interesting finds to share with a park system naturalist. Free.
Freedom Stories. 2-2:45 p.m. and 4-4:45 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown.
Join storyteller TAHIRA for a compelling look at the men and women who took extraordinary risks for freedom. The cost is $5 per person per show; pre-registration accepted; cash or check only onsite.
Open Shoot Archery. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft.
All equipment is provided for this open shoot. This is not an instructional clinic and nor is it designed for beginners. Open to ages 10 and older; younger than 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.
Cookstove Demonstration. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
See what’s cooking on the wood stove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free.
School’s Out Drop-In Day. 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls.
Enjoy science exploration stations, take home kids creations and building fun during this self-guided program, open to ages 5-10 with adult. The cost is $5 per child; cash or check only.
Nature Lecture Series: Winter Flounders – A Diminishing Fish. 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth.
Come to this talk by a park system naturalist and discover the history and ecology of winter flounder and why the population is suffering. Free.
Winter Beach Walk. 11 a.m. – noon. Friday, Feb. 21. Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan.
Take a guided walk with a park system naturalist along the beach collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Make sure to dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells. Free.
Stitches in Time. Noon – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
Join the farm staff for an informal session on hand-sewing basics and learn five basic stitches or bring a project work on. Open to ages 7 and older. Free.
To learn more about these Park System activities, visit 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.