Monmouth County Park System fills October with family fun

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.