All The February Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — February may be the shortest month of the year, but the Monmouth County Park System packs it with fun activities for residents to enjoy. Here's what's planned for the month:

Roving Naturalist

Saturday, February 1 at 9 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the main parking lot.

Saturday, February 15 at 9 a.m.

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

Join our Roving Naturalist for a leisurely walk on well-maintained trails 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!

Yarn Bee

Saturday, February 1 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Knit or crochet at your own pace during this gathering; all levels are welcome. Farm staff will be on hand to assist those learning. Bring your own supplies or borrow ours for the session. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.

Open Ceramics

Sunday, February 2 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.

Groundhog’s Day

Sunday, February 2 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Celebrate groundhogs and the half-way mark of winter with fun facts and activities for all ages. FREE!

Wondrous Winter Walk

Wednesday, February 5 from 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Wednesday, February 19 from 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Wednesday, February 26 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands - Meet in the Rocky Point section parking lot.

Toss on your winter gear and tag along with a Park System Naturalist as you explore nature in the wintertime. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Please note that sturdy footwear is recommended; trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE!

The Casual Birder

Thursday, February 6 at 9 a.m.

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

Thursday, February 27 at 9 a.m.

Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Province Line Road parking area.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. We’ll 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 this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. We will go even with light rain or snow, so please come dressed for the weather. FREE!

Cutting, Splitting and Hewing

Saturday, February 8 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the farm staff prepare firewood and learn about the tools they use. Open to adults. FREE!

Historical Valentines

Saturday & Sunday, February 8 & 9 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

View samples of historical 19th century Valentines and make your own heartfelt, carefully crafted card using historically inspired materials. Open to ages 10 and up. FREE!

Seashell Sunday

Sunday, February 9 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!

Freedom Stories

Sunday, February 9 from 2-2:45 p.m. & 4-4:45 p.m.

Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown

Join storyteller TAHIRA for a compelling look at the men and women who took extraordinary risks for freedom. The cost is $5 per person per show; pre-registration accepted; cash or check only onsite.

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided for this open shoot. 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.

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturday, February 15 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!

School’s Out Drop-In Day

Monday, February 17 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; cash or check only.

Nature Lecture Series: Winter Flounders - A Diminishing Fish

Thursday, February 20 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Come to this talk by a Park System Naturalist and discover the history and ecology of winter flounder and why the population is suffering. FREE!

Winter Beach Walk

Friday, February 21 from 11 a.m.-12 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 you dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells. FREE!

Stitches in Time

Saturday, February 22 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Join the farm staff for an informal session on hand-sewing basics and learn five basic stitches or bring a project work on. Open to ages 7 and up. 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.