August in Monmouth County Parks

From seining in the bay to vintage baseball games, the Monmouth County Park System fills August with fun. Soak up every drop of summer by heading out into the parks and enjoying the following:

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, August 1-26 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 2 & 4 and 23 & 25 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Popamora Point section of the Henry Hudson Trail, Highlands Join us for this hands-on nature program. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures as we pull a seine net through the calm waters of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Meet on the beach near the park entrance. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!

Tidal Tuesdays: Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 11 a.m. Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan Join a Park System Naturalist to discover exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats. Each week take part in a different activity such as meeting creatures living in the water that we find in our seine net or creating crafts from natural materials found along the shore. Programs run for about 30-60 minutes. For details on the activity for the week, please call 732-751-9453. FREE!

Make a Fun Fish Print: Wednesday, August 3 & Tuesday, August 23 at 3 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth Make a colorful fish print of a rubber sea star, flounder, skate and more. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Program begins inside the Bay House and is approximately 45 minutes long. Cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir: Wednesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. Friday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, August 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21 and 27 & 28 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. 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. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center.

The Casual Birder: Thursday, August 4 at 9 a.m., Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Thursday, August 18 at 9 a.m. Hominy Hill Golf Course, Colt Neck - Meet in the Matthews Road parking lot. Meander with a Park System Naturalist for about an hour looking for birds. 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. FREE!

Co-Ed Open Basketball - 20 & Up Thursday, August 4 from 6-8 p.m. Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls This basketball program is open to men and women age 20 and over. Emphasis of this program is exercise and fun. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.

Seashell Painting: Thursday, August 4 & Wednesday, August 24 at 3 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth Bring your own shells or use ours for this craft as we paint them and add a magnet. Program begins inside the Bay House and is approximately 45 minutes long. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Cost is $5 per person; cash or check only.

You Can Sail Friday, August 5 & Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. Manasquan Reservoir, Howell See if sailing is for you during this on-the-water class where we provide the captain, you provide the crew. Limited number of boats available; maximum three people per boat. Sailors age 8 and up welcome with an adult. Sailboats leave the dock by the Visitor Center. The cost is $40 per boat per session; cash or check only.

Enviro-Quest: Friday, August 5 at 2 p.m. Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold - Start in the parking lot nearest the Shelter Building. Thursday, August 11 at 11 a.m. Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck - Start in the parking lot near the basketball courts. Monday, August 15 at 2 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth - Start in the Activity Center parking lot. Wednesday, August 24 at 11 a.m. Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Start in the Visitor’s Center parking lot. Monday, August 29 at 2 p.m. Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Start in the Forest Edge parking lot. Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once there, join in nature-related activities, crafts or games for 30–60 minutes of nature fun. FREE!

Drop-In Surprise Story Time: Saturday, August 6 from 11-11:45 a.m., Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown Join us for story time. If the weather is nice, look for the clue at the Horticultural Center's entrance that leads to the secret spot. If it’s rainy or cold, we’ll be inside. Recommended for ages 3-7.FREE!

Penny Rug Demonstration: Saturday, August 6 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel See the art of penny rug making in action. FREE!

Roving Naturalist: Saturday, August 6 at 9 a.m. Weltz Park, Oakhurst Saturday, August 20 at 9 a.m. Big Brook Park, Marlboro Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. FREE!

Potato Harvest: Saturday & Sunday, August 6 & 7 from 12-2 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel Help the staff bring in the crop and dig some potatoes to take home for your own family. FREE!

Open Ceramics Sunday, August 7 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. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.

Hula Hoop Fitness Group Sundays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 1-3 p.m. Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls Twirl and dance your way into toning muscles, improving balance and flexibility, and strengthening your core during this class. Exercise hoops can be provided. The cost is $5 per person per session; cash or check only.

Butterfly Walk Sunday, August 7 at 10:30 a.m. Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown Thursday, August 25 at 10:30 a.m. Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell Look for and identify butterflies with a Park System Naturalist during this walk through the park. Walk may be a mile or longer. Open to ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult. FREE!

Edible History - Ice Cream Sunday, August 7 from 3-4 p.m. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold Learn about the history of this cooling summer time treat as you help us crank, and then consume, several ice cream flavors made from 19th century recipes. Meet by the ice house.FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours Sundays, August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 1-4 p.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!

Climb Time Friday, August 12 from 12-4 p.m. Thompson Park, Lincroft Try the sport of rock climbing close to home on the Park System’s 25’ climbing wall. Climbers must be 42” or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). FREE!

Vintage Base Ball: Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club vs N.Y. Mutuals Saturday, August 13 from 12-2:30 p.m. Holmdel Park, Holmdel See how one of America's favorite pastimes started when Monmouth Furnance Base Ball Club (formerly known as the Bog Iron Boys) and the N.Y. Mutuals compete in this vintage game. Players will be dressed in uniforms appropriate to the time period and use rules from the 19th century. FREE!

Discover Disc Golf Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thompson Park, Lincroft See how many throws it takes for you to hear the “ching” of the disc hitting the goal on this mini-course. Sign in at the Visitor Center and receive the course map and use of discs. FREE!

Drop-In Kayak Tour Saturday, August 13 from 4-5:30 p.m./Saturday, August 20 from 9:30-11 a.m. Hartshorne Woods Park - Meet at the Claypit Creek section. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided - single and tandem kayaks are available. Program limited to available kayaks; first come, first served. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Open to ages 12 and up, under 18 with an adult. The cost is $20 per person; cash or check only. Note: The kayak launch area is off a bulkhead. Participants will need to bend down and rotate their body to get in and out of a kayak. Weight limits for kayaks are 250 lbs. for a single and 400 lbs. for a double. Inclement weather will cancel a tour.

Thompson Park Weekend Canoe Rentals Saturdays & Sundays, August 13 & 14 and August 27 & 28 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 ages 3 and up, under 18 with adult. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Blacksmith Demonstration Sunday, August 14 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel Come see what the Blacksmith is making in his workshop. FREE!

Music Man Rich Marzec Sunday, August 14 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel Enjoy music from the 1890s. FREE! Golf Fore Fun! Friday, August 19 from 4-7 p.m.

Bel-Aire Golf Course, Wall Try a variety of nontraditional golf games. Open to all ages. FREE!

Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck Browse vendors at this outdoor market for the one-of-a-kind item you did not even think you needed. Admission and parking are free.

Smocking Demonstration Sunday, August 21 from 1-3 p.m. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel See this delicate craft demonstrated as it was done in the Victorian era. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series: Sea Turtles Swim Near Monmouth County Thursday, August 25 from 7-8 p.m. Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth Join a Park System Naturalist for this discussion on sea turtles that can be found in our local waters including loggerheads, leatherbacks, greens and Kemp’s ridley. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery Friday, August 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft Join us for this open shoot. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This offering is designed for experienced archers. Open to ages 10 and up, under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.