August is a wonderful time to enjoy the vast array of activities the Monmouth County Park System plans each and every year. From seining the bay to making ice cream the old-fashioned way, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Planning ahead for autumn? The Park System’s Fall Program Directory will be available on Friday, August 2 with registration beginning on Wednesday, August 7. Here’s what is planned for August:
Seining at the Bayshore
Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays through August 23 from 11am-12noon
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Discover marine life while seining the bay. Meet on the beach. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. Sorry, NO GROUPS. Free!
Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir
Weekends & holidays at 2, 3, 4 & 5pm (now through October)
Wednesdays at 2, 3 & 4pm (now through August 28)
Friday, August 2 at 7pm
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. Plan to arrive at the Visitor Center 10 minutes early. The cost is adults: $5.61; children 12 & under: $3.50 (tax not included). Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent.
Parent/Child Morning Chores at Longstreet Farm
Saturday, August 3 at 8am
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Rise and shine! Come help the staff with morning chores. You and your child (age 4 & up) can milk a cow, collect eggs, and feed the animals. The cost is $15 per pair; $5 per additional person. Cash or check only.
Thompson Park Canoe Rental
Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4 from 9am-3pm
Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18 from 9am-3pm
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for 2 hours. Cash or check only.
You Can Sail
Sunday, August 3 at 10am, 11:30am & 1pm
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Drop-in for the opportunity to sail a 15-foot American sailboat. We'll provide the captain, you provide the crew. Open to ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult. Maximum three people per boat. $25 per boat.
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration
Saturday, August 3 from 1-3pm
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how hand tools were used in 19th century woodworking. Free!
Climb Time
Sunday, August 4 from 10am-1pm
Shark River Park, Wall
Saturday, August 17 from 12-5pm
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Wednesday, August 21 from 12-3pm
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Join us for a chance to try our 25 foot rock climbing wall. Climbers must be 42 inches or taller. Free!
Play Dates in the Park
Sunday, August 4 from 10am-12pm
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold
Sunday, August 4 from 1-3pm
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Saturday, August 10 from 10am-12pm
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck
Saturday, August 10 from 1-3pm
Sunnyside Recreation Area, Middletown
Join us for a game of Jumbo Basketball. This popular game is played with a 10-foot blow up basketball goal! Ages 5 and up, with adult. No experience necessary. Free!
Open Ceramics
Sunday, August 4 from 12:30-4:30pm
Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft
Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.
Historic Seabrook-Wilson House Open for Tours
Sundays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 1-4pm
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. Free!
Music Man Rich Marzec
Sunday, August 4 from 1-3pm
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear tunes from yesteryear. Free!
Penny Rug Demonstration
Sunday, August 4 from 1-3pm
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Come see how these decorative coverings were made.
You Scream, I Scream, for ICE CREAM
Sunday, August 4 from 3-4pm
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Family fun and food history combine as we crank and then sample batches of sweet ice cream made using historic recipes and techniques. Free!
Naturalist Guided Drop-in Kayak Tour
Wednesday, August 7 from 9-10:30am
Thursday, August 15 from 2:45-4:15pm
Monday, August 26 from 3-4:30pm
Tuesday, August 27 from 1-2:30pm
Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown
Join a Park System Naturalist for a leisurely paddle on the beautiful Navesink River. Meet at the Claypit Creek section of the park. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided - single and tandem kayaks are available. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Open to ages 12 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $20 per person. Cash or check only. First come, first served. Will be cancelled in event of inclement weather.
Roving Park System Naturalist
Friday, August 9 at 8am
Perrineville Lake Park, Perrineville (meet in main parking lot)
Saturday, August 31 at 8 am
Shark River Park, Wall (meet in the main parking lot)
Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. Meet in the main parking lot. Free!
Drop-In Surprise Story Time
Saturdays, August 10 & 24 from 11-11:45am
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
It's story time! If the weather is nice, look for the clue at our Horticultural Center entrance that leads to the secret spot in the gardens. If it’s rainy, we’ll be inside. Free!
Houseplant Care Drop-In
Saturday, August 10 from 1-1:30pm
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Learn tips to help you care for your houseplants. Free!
Blacksmith Demonstration
Sunday, August 11 from 1-3pm
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Visit the blacksmith in his workshop. Free!
Live Animal Show!
Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21 at 11am & 2pm
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
Learn about the reptiles and amphibians that live at the Environmental Center. Free!
Sweet Corn Festival
Saturday, August 17 from 12-5pm
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Join us for our first annual Sweet Corn Festival featuring children’s crafts and races, the climbing wall, and so much more! Admission and parking are free!
Smocking Demonstration
Sunday, August 18 from 1-3pm
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See this delicate craft in action. Free!
S’more Family Fun
Wednesday, August 21 from 7-9pm
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch
Spend an evening at the beach. We’ll enjoy games and activities and top the evening off with marshmallows around the campfire. Free!
Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market
Saturday, August 24 from 9am-1pm
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck
Browse our vendors at this outdoor market for the one-of-a-kind item you did not even think you needed. Admission and parking are free.
Open Shoot Archery
Saturday, August 24 from 10am-1pm
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
If you are looking to try your hand at archery, join us for this open shoot. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This is a non-instructional program open to ages 8 and up (under 18 with adult). The cost is $7 per person; cash or check only.
Feed the Turtles
Saturday & Sunday, August 24 & 25
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
Enjoy feeding the turtles with a Park System Naturalist. Free!
NJ Mycological Association Foray, Search for Mushrooms
Sunday, August 25 from 10am-1pm
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
We’ll take a walk through the park with members of the NJ Mycological Society in search of many varieties of mushrooms. Following our exploration, our experts will help identify our finds inside the Environmental Center. Free!
Cove Trail Hike
Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1 at 11am
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
Join a Park System Naturalist as we learn some fun nature facts. Participants must wear sneakers for this 2 mile walk and are suggested to bring water. Free!
To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.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.
