LINCROFT  - This April hop over to the Monmouth County Park System and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities.  Highlights for the month include the Spring Craft Show, Splendid Spring Strolls and Wool Days/Sheep Shearing.  Here’s a listing of April offerings:

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, April 1, 15 & 29 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!  

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m.-2 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. 

Casual Birder

Tuesday, April 11 at 9 a.m. 
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Tuesday, April 25 at 9 a.m. 
Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Meet at the Shelter Building.
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. Participants should expect to walk 2-4 miles on occasionally uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!    

Splendid Spring Strolls

Thursday, April 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.    
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Thursday, April 27 from 10-11:30 a.m.   
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot.
Say “farewell” to the frosty weather as you join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE! 

Spring Craft Show

Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls
This seasonal craft show features local artists and crafters. Admission and parking are free.

Sowing Seed Potatoes

Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16 from 12-2 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Help the farm staff sow this year’s crop of potatoes. Weather dependent. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series: Striped Bass - The Most Interesting Fish Along the Jersey Shore

Thursday, April 20 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth 
Learn about the life history of this fascinating fish, also known as the rockfish and striper, during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!  

Earth Day Outdoor Walks & Activities

Saturday, April 22

Select County Parks

Honor Earth Day in your county parks with walks and activities at select locations. Visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com for details.

Vintage Base Ball - Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club

Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel
See one of America’s favorite pastimes played using rules from the 19th century. FREE! 

Thrive, An Afternoon with the Artists

Saturday, April 22 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold 
Meet the artists who contributed to Thrive, an art exhibition currently in the historic Waln House, as they discuss their work, process and influences when creating these and other pieces. FREE! 

Climb Time

Thursday, April 27 from 3-6 p.m.  
Shark River Park, Wall
Sunday, April 30 from 12-3 p.m. 
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold  
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!

Shark River Family Hike

Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Shark River Park, Wall - Meet in the Schoolhouse Road parking lot. 
Explore a moderate hiking trail while learning about the park and how to interpret trail maps. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Weather permitting. The cost is $5 per person; cash or check.

Volunteer at Deep Cut Gardens

Saturday, April 29 from 1-3 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Spend a couple of hours touring the gardens and learn how to be a welcoming, informative presence on the grounds or in the classroom of Deep Cut. Please dress comfortably for a guided walk through the gardens. Open to adults.

International Astronomy Day

Saturday, April 29 from 9-10 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Celebrate International Astronomy Day by learning what is currently visible in the night sky.  We’ll also share some tips and resources to help you get started in astronomy. Please dress for the weather (layers) and bring a flashlight. Open to adults. Please note that if weather conditions are poor for stargazing, we will have a short program about astronomy basics. FREE!   

Wool Days/Sheep Shearing

Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See the farm staff use traditional shearing practices to remove the fleece from the sheep. Gene Sheninger will return with his collies to show their herding skills. 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.