All The August Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Soak up every drop of summertime fun this August by heading out into your Monmouth County parks and enjoying the following:

Tidal Tuesdays - Seine the Cove

Tuesdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 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 Park System Naturalist-led 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!

Early Bird Beach Walk

Wednesday, August 2 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Stroll down the beach with a Park System Naturalist and look for coastal treasures like seashells while also learning about the natural history of the area. Bring a container for collecting beach finds. Open all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, August 2-25 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth - Meet on the beach near the parking lot.

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. 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!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Wednesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Friday, August 4 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, August 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and 26 & 27 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 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 Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, August 2-6, 9-13, 16-20 and 23-27 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust

Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house and view exhibits that tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during inclement weather. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!

Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing

Thursdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Learn how to rig, bait, cast and, hopefully, catch your first fish during this program. 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. Stop by the Bait Shop to register. No groups please. FREE!

Enviro-Quest

Thursday, August 3 at 11 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet at the dock.

Thursday, August 10 at 11 a.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown - Meet in the Red Hill Activity Center parking lot.

Thursday, August 17 at 11 a.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft - Meet in the Old Orchard parking lot.

Thursday, August 24 at 11 a.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Meet in the Pond View parking lot.

Thursday, August 31 at 11 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth - Meet in main parking lot.

Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once you are there you can join a mini nature lesson, activity, or walk for 30–60 minutes of nature-based fun. Activities may include meeting a live animal, finding hidden treasures, or discovering animal knickknacks. FREE!

Life in a Freshwater Pond

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

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet outside the Visitor Center.

Join Park System Naturalists to explore a freshwater pond. We’ll look for basking turtles, hopping frogs, hunting herons, splashing fish and anything else that catches our eye. We will also discover the unique life that lies underneath the water in a freshwater pond. Wear closed-toe shoes. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. FREE!

Penny Rug Demonstration

Saturday, August 5 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing to create designs for mats or rugs. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, August 5 & 19 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!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, August 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and 26 & 27 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands

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

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, August 5 & 6 and 19 & 20 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 all ages; 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.

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, August 12 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.

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

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

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See a woodworker use 19th century tools. FREE!

Machinery Expo

Sunday, August 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

The farm's machinery will be out of storage and in full view for one day only! Staff will be on-hand to discuss the mechanics of the farm’s horse-drawn implements and household/kitchen equipment. FREE!

Story Time in the Park

Sunday, August 13 from 11-11:45 a.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Join us as we read a story in front of the picturesque Crosswicks Creek. Bring a snack and a blanket or towel. Open to ages 2-7, with adult. FREE!

Woodworking at Walnford

Sunday, August 13 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Watch a local woodworker demonstrate 19th century methods. FREE!

Under the Summer Stars

Sunday, August 13 from 10-11 p.m.

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

Look for key objects and constellations in the summer sky with a Park System guide. Bring a chair and a flashlight. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Weather and clear skies permitting. FREE!

Summer Jams with Secret Sound

Friday, August 18 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Enjoy Jersey Shore-based, positive, funky jam rock during this outdoor concert. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. Will move inside if weather is inclement. FREE!

Dancing Thru the Ages-Roaring 20s to Fabulous 50s & Beyond

Saturday, August 19 from 7-8 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

See performances of iconic dance styles from the 1920s to the 1950s and beyond. FREE!

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music

Sunday, August 20 from 12-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft – Outside of the Theater Barn

The Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association will meet for a jam session under the trees. Bring your own bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar to join in, or just stop by and enjoy an afternoon of music. Weather permitting. FREE!

Climb Time

Thursday, August 24 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!

Nature Lecture Series: All About Red-Tailed Hawks

Thursday, August 24 from 7-8 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Learn about life and conservation status of red-tailed hawks in Monmouth County during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Smocking Demonstration

Saturday, August 26 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Potato Harvest

Saturday & Sunday, August 26 & 27 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 Longstreet Farm staff bring in the crop and dig some potatoes for your own family. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, August 29 at 9 a.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

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. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.