All The August Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This August see a historic gristmill in action, discover what lurks in Sandy Hook Bay, kayak Swimming River and more!

These are just some of the family-friendly activities the Monmouth County Park System has planned for the month of August 2021. Here’s the schedule:

Mill Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, July 31 & August 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, and 28 & 29 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill in action. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Friday, August 6 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, July 31 & August 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, and 28 & 29 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Wednesdays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

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 to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sundays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 from 1-3 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Rocky Point section

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

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, August 2-27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Join us for this hands-on nature program and 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 parking lot. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. This program is designed for individuals and families. Weather permitting. FREE!

Tidal Tuesdays – Seine the Cove

Tuesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures that may be found along the cove during this seining program. 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!

Drop-In Nature Kayak Tours

Tuesday, August 3 from 3-4 p.m.

Tuesday, August 24 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 25 from 12-1 p.m.

Thursday, August 26 from 1-2 p.m.

Friday, August 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Swimming River Park, Red Bank

Explore the beauty and nature of the Swimming River during this tour. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for use on a first come, first served basis. The program is limited to only 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Weight limit 250 lbs. for singles; 450 lbs. for tandems. Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with participating adult. The cost is $25 per person; cash or check only.

Fishing 101 – A Beginner's Guide to Fishing

Tuesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 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!

Enviro-Quest

Thursday, August 5 at 11 a.m.

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

Thursday, August 12 at 11 a.m.

Crosswicks Creek Park - Meet in the Province Line Road parking lot in Allentown.

Thursday, August 19 at 11 a.m.

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

Thursday, August 26 at 11 a.m.

Perrineville Lake Park - Meet in the Agress Road parking lot in Millstone.

Don’t know what to do on a weekday this summer break? Why not seek out some nature fun. Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once you are there you can join in on a mini-nature lesson, activity, or walk for 30-60 minutes of nature based fun. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, August 7 & 8 and 21 & 22 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. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Yarn Bee

Saturday, August 7 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Whether just starting a new hobby or working on an old project, all are welcome to this gathering! The relaxed atmosphere means no pressure - you can knit or crochet at your own pace, and farm staff will be on hand to assist those needing a little extra help. Bring your own supplies. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.

Smocking Demonstration

Saturday, August 7 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

View the lost art of smocking, a decorative embroidery or shirring made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks. FREE!

Edible History Series: Ice Cream

Saturday, August 7 from 2-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Using recipes from the 19th century, help crank ice cream in the shade of the ice house, and then consume the results of our labor. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, August 14 from 10 a.m.-2 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.

Climb Time

Sunday, August 15 from 12-3 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen

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. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, August 17 at 9 a.m.

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

Tuesday, August 31 at 9 a.m.

Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colt Neck - Meet in the soccer field parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a 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. Open to ages 11 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Quilting Demonstration

Saturday, August 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

View a hand quilting demonstration. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, August 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. 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 County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks and Recreation agency.

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