See What Monmouth County Parks Have Planned This May

LINCROFT, NJ — Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than in a county park.

During May, the Monmouth County Park System offers fun, family-friendly activities for residents to enjoy. What's planned:

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Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration

Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel

See this demonstration of spinning, knitting and weaving. FREE!

Embroidery Demonstration

Saturday, May 2 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
View the lost art of applying decorative designs with a needle and thread. FREE!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, May 2 & 3, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24, and 30 & 31 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, May 2 & 16 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday, May 31 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!

Natural Dyeing Demonstration

Sunday, May 3 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel

See Kelly Bahash demonstrate how locally grown plants can be used to make natural dyes. FREE!

Casual Birder (two dates)

Tuesday, May 5 at 9 a.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro

Tuesday, May 19 at 9 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and a half and 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 this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow on a first come basis. FREE!

Climb Time

Friday, May 8 from 3-6 p.m.
Swimming River Park, Red Bank (Middletown)

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!

Creative Arts Festival

Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft

See the works of artists and fine crafters from all mediums including pottery, jewelry and painting during this art festival. Event also features music and food. Admission and parking are free.

Traditional Chair Caning Demonstration

Saturday, May 9 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See the process of weaving natural plant fibers into the seat of a traditional chair during this demonstration. FREE!

Blacksmith Demonstration

Sunday, May 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See the blacksmith in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge. FREE!

Splendid Spring Stroll

Wednesday, May 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk and soak up the lovely spring season. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE!

Native Plant Exchange

Saturday, May 16 - Plant intake from 8:30-10:15 a.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Bring established native plants in four-inch, one quart, or 1-2-gallon containers to exchange with like sizes. Only plants native to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States will be accepted. Please label all plants. Event includes a lecture from 9:15-10:15 a.m. FREE!

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap

Saturday, May 16 from 10-11 a.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft
Bring used puzzles and swap them for new-to-you ones. For every puzzle you bring, you will get one token to take a "new" puzzle home. Complete puzzles in good condition, please. All categories welcome. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m.-1 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.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, May 16 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, May 16 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!

Walnford Day

Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Spend the day celebrating 200 years of Waln history with demonstrations, displays and wagon rides. Highlights include a performance by the Magnolia Street String Band from 2-4 p.m. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Horseshoe Crabs in Monmouth County

Wednesday, May 20 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Learn about this extraordinary living fossil and what you can do to help restore its population during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

The Libby Prison Minstrels

Saturday, May 23 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Listen to the Libby Prison Minstrels perform historical songs about life on the battlefield and the home front during the Civil War era. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturday & Sunday, May 23 & 24 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. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturday-Monday, May 23-25 and Saturday & Sunday, May 30 & 31 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. Children must be 1-year or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. 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.

Decoration Day Celebration

Monday, May 25 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Enjoy the good company of family and friends as we honor this early American holiday. FREE!

Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century

Saturday, May 30 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads. FREE!

The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours during the warmer months including:

Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House
Saturdays & Sundays from 12-3 p.m.
April 25-October 18
Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Historic Portland Place
Wednesday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
May 2-November 15
Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust section of Middletown

Historic Racing Stable
Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 2-October 18
Thompson Park, Lincroft

Historic Battery Lewis
Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 23-October 11
Hartshorne Woods Park - Use Rocky Point entrance in Highlands.