February Offerings In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — Think things are quiet in your county parks this time of year? Think again! The Monmouth County Park System always fills February with fun, family-friendly activities. Here’s what is planned:

Cutting, Splitting and Hewing

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

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams. Open to adults. FREE!

Groundhogs, Woodchucks & Whistlepigs...Oh My!

Sunday, February 1 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Celebrate mid-winter by learning about groundhogs and making a craft to take home. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, February 3 at 9 a.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Join a Park System Naturalist for a 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!

Under the Winter Stars

Saturday, February 7 from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck - Use the soccer field parking lot.

Join our guide and look for key objects and constellations in the night sky. Bring a camp chair to rest on and a flashlight to light your way in the dark. Program may be cancelled due to overcast skies or inclement weather. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Seals of Monmouth County

Sunday, February 8 from 12-1 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about the species of seals that call the Jersey Shore home in the cooler months during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Parlor Games for Wintry Weather

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

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Play two long-forgotten 1890s board games - Halma and Basilinda. We'll also have old-time favorites like Backgammon, Checkers and Reversi. FREE!

Wondrous Winter Walk

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

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

Toss on your winter gear and tag along with a Park System Naturalist as you explore the serenity that is 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!

Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walk - Love Birds Edition
Sandy Hook, NJ
Friday, February 13 10 a.m. - Noon

Join us to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special Winter Wildlife Walk as we search for “love birds” (and seals!) along Sandy Hook’s winter shores. Find more info and register on their website.

Monmouth County Parks Backyard Bird Count

Friday, February 13 from 9-10 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, Howell

Saturday, February 14 from 9-10 a.m.

Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Sunday, February 15 from 9-10 a.m.

Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown

Join a Park System Naturalist in celebration of the Great American Backyard Bird Count and look to see what winter birds are at our local feeders. We’ll also take a small walk to see what birds we can identify. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow, if needed. FREE!

Winter Beach Walk

Saturday, February 14 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan

Go on a guided walk along the beach collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells in. FREE!

Historical Valentines

Saturday, February 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Discover how penmanship has changed as we view letters and valentines from the 18th and 19th century. Create a valentine of your own or write a letter to a friend using historically inspired materials. FREE!

Monmouth County Library Seal and Winter Waterfowl Presentation
Shrewsbury, NJ
Wednesday, February 25 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Join Littoral Society Education Coordinator Samantha Hemming at Monmouth County Library's Eastern Branch to learn more about the waterfowl and seals that thrive along our coasts during the coldest months. Find more info on the Monmouth County Library website.

Seal and Winter Waterfowl Walks
Sandy Hook, NJ
January through March

Our pinniped friends are back in town. If you'd like to learn more about them and our winter waterfowl friends, join the Littoral Society for walks on Sandy Hook, NJ starting in January. Find more info and register on their website.

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.