The Monmouth County Park System has scheduled a full slate of events for February. For more information about these activities, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000 (TTY/TDD number is 711).
The Casual Birder will be held on Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet at the Environmental Center; on Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. at
Hominy Hill Golf Course, Colts Neck, meet in the Matthews Road parking lot.
Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back bird walk. Free.
Co-Ed Open Basketball, 20 and up, will be held on Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 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.
Open Ceramics is scheduled for Feb. 4 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft. Participants will 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.
Men’s Open Gym Basketball will be held on Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 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.
Enjoy Lunch with a Master Gardener, “Seeds Have Needs,” on Feb. 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Big Brook Park, Elsa’s Lodge, Marlboro. Bring a brown bag lunch and join members of the Monmouth County Master Gardeners for a discussion about seeds. Participants will learn how to start plants from seeds both indoors and in the garden. Free.
A Wondrous Winter Walk will be held on Feb. 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Hartshorne Woods Park, meet in the Rocky Point section, Highlands; and on Feb. 23 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, meet in the Emley’s Hill parking lot. Tag along with a park system naturalist and explore nature in the winter. Free.
Join a roving naturalist on Feb. 10 at 9 a.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen. Participants will 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 and snow are not deterrents. Free.
Seashore Scientist will be held on Feb. 10 from 1-2 p.m. at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch. Explore different aspects of oceanography through interactive discussions and hands-on experiments. Free.
Handmade and Heartfelt will be held on Feb. 10-11 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. Participants will see historical examples of valentines and make one of their own. Free.
A cookstove demonstration is scheduled for Feb. 10 and Feb. 24 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.
Take a winter beach walk on Feb. 12 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan, meet on the beach. Collect and identify some of the ocean’s natural treasures during this guided beach walk. Dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells. Free.
School’s Out Drop-In Days will be held on Feb. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
at the 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 to 10 with adult. The cost is $5 per child; cash or check only.
Have lunch with a Master Gardener, “Advice from a Green Thumb,” on Feb. 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Big Brook Park, Elsa’s Lodge, Marlboro. Bring a brown bag lunch and join members of the Monmouth County Master Gardeners for a discussion about common sense rules of thumb for the home gardener. Free.
A Nature Lecture Series: Snowy Owls of Monmouth County will be held on Feb. 22 from 7-8 p.m. at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth. There will be a slide presentation and attendees will discover where snowy owls come from, where they go, what they eat and why they are so mysterious. Free.
A Lantern-Lit Night Hike in Freneau Woods is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 7-8 p.m.
at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen. Bring a flashlight and discover what goes bump in the night while exploring the park during this guided hike. Free.
Cabin Fever? 19th Century Maps of Monmouth will be the topic on Feb. 24-25 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township.
Find local landmarks and see familiar names on reproduction 19th century maps. Free.