What's Planned In June In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — With its gentle breezes and warm weather, June is perhaps the best month of the year to head out to your county parks.

The Monmouth County Park System has filled the month with exciting activities the whole family can enjoy.

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What's planned:

Superb Summer Saunter

Wednesday, June 3 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the lower pond parking lot.
Wednesday, June 10 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Wednesday, June 24 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.
Engage your curiosity as you explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Concert in the Park: Colts Neck Community Band

Friday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
Enjoy an evening of music with the Colts Neck Community Band as they perform a variety of music, from light classical to marches to Broadway favorites. Indoor seating available or bring a lawn chair. FREE!

Basket Weaving Demonstration

Friday & Saturday, June 5 & 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Visit the Penn/Jersey Basket Weaving Guild as they weave baskets. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Saturdays & Sundays, June 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21 and 27 & 28 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - All tours leave from the Visitor Center.

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 two years of age 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. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Deep Cut Gardens Open House

Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Enjoy the beautiful rose garden in bloom, learn about the bonsai collection, marvel at the koi pond, and learn about the greenhouse collection from an expert horticulturist. FREE!

Silhouettes by Hand with Lauren Muney

Saturday, June 6 from 12-3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
See Lauren Muney cut silhouettes freehand using only paper and scissors. Portraits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. FREE!

Dairy Day

Saturday, June 6 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Discover the vital role dairy cows play in farm life through cheesemaking, butter churning and ice-cream making demonstrations. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, June 6 & 7 and 20 & 21 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.

Milling Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, June 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21 and 27 & 28 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!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, June 7 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Hear toe-tapping tunes of an acoustic duo. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, June 9 at 9 a.m.
Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and 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. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!

Open Mic Poetry - Circles & Communities

Wednesday, June 10 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft

Explore or recite literary works during a time of alliteration, rhythm and verse. All are welcome to read their work aloud or read work from their favorite poet(s). Must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience. Pre-registration is recommended for readers and available by calling 732-542-1642, ext. 4648. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Fireflies of Monmouth County

Thursday, June 11 from 7-8 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Find out what this fascinating insect is really doing when they light up at night during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. Discussion includes how to decode fireflies’ signals and the mysteries behind their biology and ecology. FREE!

Concert in the Park: Sentimental Journey Big Band

Friday, June 12 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft - Concert is outdoors but will move inside if weather is inclement.

Led by vocalist Altha Morton, the band will perform classic melodies of the 20th century with a patriotic theme. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food, and soft drinks. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, June 13 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.

Penny Rug Demonstration

Saturday, June 13 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing were used to create mats and rugs during this demonstration. FREE!

Victorian Laundry Demonstration

Sunday, June 14 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
From lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons, experience a late Victorian laundry day during this demonstration. FREE!

Rigging 101

Thursday, June 18 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet at the West Dock/Ramp.

If you are an experienced sailor but do not have a sailing certification or would like to refresh your skills, attend this session and learn how to rig our 15’ American sailboats. Sailors showing proficiency will have an opportunity to obtain a Monmouth County Park System sailing card, which will allow them to rent these boats during our drop-in sailboat rental times. FREE!

Traditional Basketmaking Demonstration

Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Artisan Mary May will demonstrate the craftsmanship that goes into making a basket. Her focus is on weaving traditional New Jersey baskets, specializing in South Jersey white oak baskets and basket traditions. FREE!

Freshwater Fishing Derbies

Saturday, June 20 from 2-5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Sunday, June 21 from 2-5 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

Each day starts with a free fishing clinic from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. Fishing pole rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental cost is $5 per pole. A container of worms is included with each registration. The cost is $34 per family of 4; $10 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash, check or credit card accepted on site.

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Sunday, June 21 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Mondays, June 22 & 29; Wednesday, June 24; and Friday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

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!

Life in a Freshwater Pond

Thursday, June 25 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet outside the Visitor Center.

Join Park System Naturalists and 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!

Climb Time

Saturday, June 27 from 12-3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft - Use Filly Run parking lot.

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!

Early American Music and Arts

Saturday, June 27 from 12-3 p.m.
Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Discover the role music and tea played in the Revolutionary War by joining this group of historians and musicians. FREE!

Everyone Has a Story

Saturday, June 27 from 6-8 p.m.
Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft

Gather for a night of storytelling through life experiences. James Dalton, creator of AP & Me Productions, invites a cast of different characters from the region, all with unique voices and perspectives, all sharing their stories through a variety of topical prompts. Audience members will be encouraged to share their stories that relate to the given prompts as time allows. Light refreshments will be served. FREE!