All The October Events In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — From "Awesome Autumn Ambles" to "Historical Headstone Carving," the Monmouth County Park System has October 2019 filled with family-friendly offerings. Here’s what's planned:

Awesome Autumn Amble

Wednesday, October 2 from 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Wednesday, October 9 from 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Explore the trails with a Park System naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomenon. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

The Casual Birder

Thursday, October 3 at 9 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the Rt. 520 parking lot.

Thursday, October 17 at 9 a.m.

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

Thursday, October 31 at 9 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.

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 8 and up; under 16 with adult. FREE!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Fridays, October 4, 11 & 18 from 12-4 p.m.

Saturdays, October 5, 12 & 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sundays, October 6, 13 & 20 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!

Earthen Oven - Plein Air Baking

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

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Enjoy an edible history lesson as we share basic information on the construction and demonstrate the use of our simple small Colonial American style oven this afternoon. FREE!

Roving Naturalist

Saturday, October 5 at 9 a.m.

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

Saturday, October 19 at 9 a.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands - Meet in the Rocky Point section 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 is not a deterrent. FREE!

Mill Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, October 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and 26 & 27 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

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

Open Ceramics

Sunday, October 6 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.

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, October 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 9-11 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Open Mic Poetry Night

Monday, October 7 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

This fun event is open to all. Material must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience, should be no longer than three minutes for each presentation, and should be the presenter’s own work. Presenters must be age 18 or older. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

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

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, October 12 & 26 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!

Climb Time

Sunday, October 13 from 12-4 p.m.

Clayton Park, Upper Freehold

Try our 25’ portable climbing wall. Climbers must be 42” or taller and age 8 or older; under 18 with adult. FREE!

School’s Out Drop-In Day

Monday, October 14 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.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, October 19 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. FREE!

Thompson Park Day

Sunday, October 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

From start to finish, Thompson Park Day offers everything a fall festival should - pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids races, entertainment and so much more! Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

The Life History of Foxes in Monmouth County

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

Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Join a Park System naturalist for a photographic presentation about foxes, both gray and red, of Monmouth County. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, October 26 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Here Lies . . . Historical Headstone Carving

Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27 from 1-4 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Watch skilled craftsman Tom Kelleher from Old Sturbridge Village as he carves a traditional slate headstone while sharing some early American social history on customs for passing from this life to the next. Add a side trip to one or more of the historic cemeteries in this area to view many early expressive headstones. FREE!