All The February Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ – Think things are quiet in your county parks this time of year? Think again! The Monmouth County Park System is filling February with fun, family-friendly activities. Here’s what's planned for the month of February 2019:

Winter Beach Walk Friday, February 1 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Take a guided walk with a Park System Naturalist along the beach collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Make sure to dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells. FREE!

Groundhog’s Day Saturday, February 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Enjoy facts and folklore about groundhogs, historical winter fun, seasonal chores and maybe a few signs of spring. FREE!

Purls of Wisdom Knitting Bee Saturday, February 2 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Share patterns, get some work done on a forgotten project, or learn a new hobby during this informal knitting bee. Farm staff will be on hand to help newcomers with casting on or to teach the basics. More seasoned knitters are welcome to share their love of knitting. FREE!

Open Ceramics Sunday, February 3 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 bisqueware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.

Nature Story Time Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 11-11:30 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Enjoy some of our favorite stories. We'll also have nature-themed items related to each story. Open to ages 2-5 years with adult. FREE!

Roving Naturalist Saturday, February 9 at 9 a.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the 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 and snow are not deterrents. FREE!

The Art of Storytelling Sunday, February 10 1-3:30 p.m.

The Monmouth County Park System invites youngsters age 8-11 to join award-winning children’s author Janine Kimmel for The Art of Storytelling. Held from 1-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 10 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area Program Building, Colts Neck, this imaginative workshop focuses on the art of storytelling. Participants will travel through a magic door and create their own illustrated story. The cost is $30 per person; pre-registration required. There is also a $10 supply fee payable to the instructor at the beginning of class. For more information or to register, visitwww.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 1.

Blacksmith Demonstration Sunday, February 10 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Come see what the Blacksmith is making in his workshop. FREE!

NJ State reptile, "The Bog Turtle," is the subject of Monmouth Audubon program February 13

Zoologist Bill Pitts will present his program, "The Bog Turtle: New Jersey's State Reptile," at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting on Wednesday, February 13 at 8:00 p.m. The public is welcome; admission is free.The Bog Turtle was named New Jersey's State Reptile on June 18, 2018, following a successful petition campaign begun by science students from the Riverside Elementary School in Princeton, who were concerned with the turtle's threatened status. The NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program estimates that there are fewer than 2,000 of these inhabitants of groundwater-fed freshwater wetlands left in the state. Once abundant in New Jersey, this secretive, palm-sized turtle is found today only in rural areas such as Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Salem counties. Learn all about this charismatic creature's natural history in New Jersey and conservationists' ongoing effort to protect the Bog Turtle and increase its habitat and population in this entertaining program. Free and open to all. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month September through May at the Tower Hill Church, 255 Harding Road, Red Bank; guest speakers address a wide variety of nature-related topics, and refreshments are provided.

Wondrous Winter Walk Thursday, February 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Hartshorne Woods Park - Meet in the Rocky Point section parking lot in Highlands.

Thursday, February 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Activity Center parking lot.

Tag along with a Park System Naturalist as you explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstration Saturday, February 16 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See what the farm staff is cooking on the woodstove. FREE!

Backyard Birds Count Saturday, February 16 at 9 a.m. at Big Brook Park, Marlboro

Sunday, February 17 at 9 a.m. at Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown

Join a Park System Naturalist as we explore the parks in celebration of the Great American Backyard Bird Count. We’ll start by looking at what winter birds are at our local feeders and then take a short walk to see what birds we can identify along our trails. It's a great way to get started in birding. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed.FREE!

Seashell Sunday Sunday, February 17 from 1-2 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

See an assortment of live mollusks, crustaceans, and cool beach finds and artifacts while learning where shells come from and how to collect them without harming the environment. Bring unidentified or interesting finds to share with a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

School’s Out Drop-In Day at the Fort Monday, February 18 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls

Enjoy Science Exploration Stations, Take Home Kids Creations and Building Fun during this self-guided program open to ages 5-10 with adult. The cost is $5 per child per day; cash or check only.

Open Shoot Archery Saturday, February 23 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. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

The Casual Birder Thursday, February 28 at 9 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

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. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series: Herons, Egrets and Other Wading Birds Thursday, February 28 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Discover where wading birds nest, what they eat, where they migrate, and their unique characteristics during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. 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.

Photo provided to Patch by the Monmouth County Park System.