Monmouth County Park System plans busy slate of November events

The Monmouth County Park System has a full schedule of activities planned for people of all ages in November.

To learn more about the activities, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.

The Casual Birder will be held on Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck, meet near the fields; and on Nov. 30 at 9 a.m.
at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 8 and up. Free.

Co-Ed open basketball for ages 20 and up will be held on Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30 from 8-10 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Emphasis of this program is exercise and fun. The cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.

A nighttime nature walk will take place from 7-8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen. Listen for owls and crickets, watch for bats, and discover other creatures of the night. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight or lantern. Open to ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult. Free.

Mill demonstrations will take place on Nov. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Free.

Open ceramics will be held on Nov. 5 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft. Participants may choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make their 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.

Wooden Spoons to Whammy Doodles will be held from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 5 at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See what a few simple hand tools along with patience and imagination can create when Al Trenton sits down at his shaving horse with a chunk of wood. Free.

Men’s open gym basketball is scheduled for Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 8-10 a.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Shoot hoops in the rec center’s full-court gym. The cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.

School’s Out Drop-In Days at the Fort will be held on Nov. 9-10 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Enjoy various activities and open gym time during this self-guided program open to ages 5-10 with adult. Cost is $5 per child per day; cash or check only.

A fall craft show is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Admission and parking are free.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s will be presented from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. Free.

A roving naturalist will be at Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold Township, at 9 a.m. Nov. 18. Meet in the Province Line Road parking lot. Join the naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify birds. 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.

Open Shoot Archery will take place on Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. This is a non-instructional open shoot. Open to ages 10 and up, under 18 with adult. All equipment is provided; no outside equipment permitted. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

A cookstove demonstration may be viewed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Free.

Artful Bread: Beautiful and Delicious will take place on Nov. 18 from 2-3 p.m.
at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Pick up tips, techniques and the recipe during this hands-on demonstration. Free.

A snake meet and greet welcomes guests of all ages at noon Nov. 25-26 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. Meet and learn about snakes. Free.