LINCROFT – From Wondrous Winter Walks to a Seashore Open House, the Monmouth County Park System is filling January with family fun.  Here’s what is planned:   

Wondrous Winter Walks

Wednesday, January 3 at 10 a.m. 
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell - Meet in the parking lot. 
Wednesday, January 17 at 10 a.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park - Meet in the Rocky Point parking lot in Highlands.
Wednesday, January 31 at 10 a.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Toss on your winter gear and tag along with a Park System Naturalist and 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!

Cutting, Splitting and Hewing

Sunday, January 7 from 12-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge, and learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams. Open to adults. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, January 16 at 9 a.m.  
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch - Meet at the pavilion.
Tuesday, January 30 at 9 a.m.  
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
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!

National Seed Swap Day

Saturday, January 27 from 10-11 a.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen
Bring seeds in an envelope labeled with the plant name, year collected, and where it was purchased or collected. Vegetable/annual/perennial/native seeds are all welcome (no invasive species). Throughout January, if possible, please deliver your seed submissions to Huber Woods Park Environmental Center, Middletown. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Philip Freneau - Monmouth County Poet and Patriot

Saturday, January 27 from 3-4 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen
Come to this talk by local historian Barry Orr as he discusses the life of poet, journalist, patriot and sea captain, Philip Freneau (1752-1832), who is best known as the “Poet of the American Revolution.” FREE!

Story Time at Walnford

Sunday, January 28 from 11-11:45 a.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold 
Join us as we read a story in front of the hearth in the Waln House. Children are welcome to bring a snack and a mat, blanket or towel to sit on. Open to grades pre-K to second. FREE!

Parlor Games for Wintry Weather

Sunday, January 28 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!

Seashore Open House

Sunday, January 28 from 1-4 p.m.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch
Enjoy hands-on activities that will entertain and educate you and your family about the shore and the sea. Speak with a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection or the aquatic animals on display. FREE! 

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.