All The April Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — This April hop over to the Monmouth County Park System and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities. Highlights for the month include the Seashore Open House, Splendid Spring Strolls and Wool Days/Sheep Shearing.

All the below activities are free unless it says otherwise.

Here's what's planned in April:

Seashore Open House

Wednesday, April 1 from 1-4 p.m. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch

Stop by for some fun by the sea! Engaging hands-on activities will entertain and educate you and your family about the shore and the ocean. Speak with a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection or the aquatic animals on display. Free admission and parking.

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, April 4 & 18 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s.

Climb Time

Friday, April 10 from 12-3 p.m. Shark River Park, Wall

Try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult.

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century

Saturday, April 11 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads.

Blacksmith Demonstration

Sunday, April 12 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the blacksmith in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge.

Splendid Spring Strolls

Wednesday, April 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking area.

Wednesday, April 29 from 10-11:30 a.m. Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley's Hill Road parking lot.

Say “farewell” to the frosty weather as you join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk through the park. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over.

Nature Lecture: Menhaden - The Most Important Fish Along the Jersey Shore!

Wednesday, April 15 from 7-8 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Join one of the Park System's fish experts and learn about the ecological importance of menhaden.

Earth Day Open House

Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown

Celebrate Earth Day with live animal shows, guided nature and history walks, and more. Plus, bring a gently used nature book you no longer read and exchange it for a reading adventure that is new to you.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, April 18 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit.

Earth Day Beach Cleanup

Sunday, April 19 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Help us clean our coastline of trash and plastic debris while enjoying the beach near Sandy Hook Bay. Please bring your own gloves; trash bags and other tools will be supplied. We will meet near the entrance to the fishing pier.

Traditional Quilting Demonstration

Sunday, April 19 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the quilter demonstrate how to do a beautiful quilting stitch.

Earth Day Planting

Wednesday, April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Help us restore our native maritime forest by planting native plants that will provide valuable food and shelter for local wildlife. Plants are in limited supply: first come, first served basis.

Rug Hooking Demonstration

Saturday, April 25 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Join us for this demonstration of the 19th-century craft of rug hooking.

Wool Days/Sheep Shearing

Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26 from 12-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Learn how the farmers use traditional blade shearing practices to remove the fleece from sheep. Gene Sheninger will return with his collies to show their herding skills. Please note that some activities are weather and ground conditions dependent.

Casual Birder

Tuesday, April 28 at 9 a.m. Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed.

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 County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.