All The August Events In Monmouth County Parks

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — This August go kayaking on the Swimming River, see history come to life, discover what lives along Fisherman’s Cove and more! These are just some of the family-friendly activities that the Monmouth County Park System has planned for the month. Here’s the schedule:

Enviro-Quest Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once there, join in nature-related activities, crafts or games for 30–60 minutes of nature fun. FREE!

Thursday, August 1 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen – Start in the Activity Center parking lot.

Thursday, August 8 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Shark River Park, Wall – Meet at the Shelter Building.

Thursday, August 15 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel – Start in the Ramanessin Section parking lot.

Thursday, August 22 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown – Start in the Red Hill Activity Center parking lot.

Thursday, August 29 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Huber Woods Park, Middletown – Start in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Fridays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 12-4 p.m.

Saturdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sundays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 12-4 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Rocky Point section

Tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, Wednesdays & Friday, August 2-23 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Discover a variety of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures as we pull a long seine net along the edge of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Meet on the beach near the park entrance. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Friday, August 2 at 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25 and 31 & September 1 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Tours leave from the Visitor Center.

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call 732-751-9453 to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 17 & 18, and 31 & September 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to ages 3 and up; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, August 3, 17 & 31 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. FREE!

Mill Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, August 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 &25 and 31 & September 1 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill in action. Demonstrations run through November. FREE!

The Life History of Woodpeckers in Monmouth County

Sunday, August 4 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Learn about the life history of woodpeckers in Monmouth County. A Park System Naturalist will discuss the natural history of various species of woodpeckers commonly found in Monmouth County and local conservation efforts. Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Open Ceramics

Sunday, August 4 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

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.

Edible History - Ice Cream

Sunday, August 4 at 3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Enjoy this cool creamy treat in the shade of the ice house. FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 9-11 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Enjoy a guided tour of this house, which dates back to the early 1700s and was constructed in several phases over the course of two hundred years. The house is also open from 1-4 p.m. on Sundays through October for self-guided tours. FREE!

Tidal Tuesdays – Seine the Cove

Tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 11 a.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Join a Park System Naturalist for this free seining program. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures as we pull in our seine net. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!

Fishing 101 – A Beginner's Guide to Fishing

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet at the Visitor Center Bait Shop.

Learn how to rig, bait, cast, and, hopefully, catch your first fish at the Reservoir. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16-69. No groups please. FREE!

Superb Summer Saunter

Thursday, August 8 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Huber Woods Park, Middletown - Meet in Environmental Center parking lot.

Thursday, August 29 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in Emley’s Hill Road parking lot.

Engage your curiosity as you explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, August 10 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how 19th century woodworking tools were used to create various items. FREE!

Drop-In Kayak Tour of Swimming River

Friday, August 16 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Friday, August 30 from 10-11 a.m.

Swimming River Park, Red Bank

Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided; both single and tandem kayaks available. First come, first served. Tours depart on time. Program limited to 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. The cost is $20 per person; cash or check only. Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with participating adult.

Roving Naturalist

Saturday, August 17 at 9 a.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in Activity Center parking lot.

Join our 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 1.5-2 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

Saturday, August 17 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. FREE!

Potato Harvest

Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18 from 12-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Learn how potatoes were grown and harvested at the end of the 19th century. Help the farm staff bring in the crop and dig some potatoes for your own family. Stop by the summer kitchen for some 19th century inspiration on how to prepare them at home. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Sunday, August 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Join us for this open shoot. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional program and is designed for those already familiar with archery techniques. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. Cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

The Casual Birder

Thursday, August 22 at 9 a.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown - Meet in the Claypit Creek parking lot.

Thursday, August 29 at 9 a.m.

Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck - Meet in parking area across from main entrance.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Open to ages 11 and up; under 16 with adult. FREE!

Roving Golfzilla

Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro

See if you can hit golf balls through the hands, feet, or mouth of Golfzilla. All are welcome. This is a non-instructional offering, however, if needed we will teach you the very basics of the golf swing. All equipment is provided. FREE!

Climb Time

Saturday, August 24 from 12-4 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

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. The cost is $2 for three attempts or climbs; cash or check only.

Embroidery Demonstration

Saturday, August 24 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the delicate craft of embroidery. FREE!

Bayshore Fishing Derby

Saturday, August 24 from 3-6 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

This derby requires participants to supply their own fishing poles, tackle and bait. Prizes are awarded for the longest fish caught in three different age categories. Only fishing from the beach is allowed. The cost is $8 per person; $4 per additional person. Walk-ins are welcome. Cash or check only on site.

Woodstock 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, August 24 from 6-9 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Enjoy live music, make a sixties-themed craft, and play lawn games. Some activities may have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

Nature Lecture Series - What Exactly Are Mollusks?

Thursday, August 29 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about these critters commonly found along the Jersey Shore during this Naturalist-led talk. FREE!