Enjoy June In A County Park

June is almost here and it’s the perfect time of year to head out to your county parks!  Even better, the Monmouth County Park System fills the month with activities the whole family can enjoy. Here’s what is planned:

Historic Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, May 31-June 4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25 and 28-July 2 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust
Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house and view exhibits that tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during inclement weather. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!  

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Friday, June 2 at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. 
Saturdays & Sundays, June 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell 
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. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Concert in the Park: Colts Neck Community Band

Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft 
Enjoy an evening of music and fun with the Colts Neck Community Band. The concert features lighthearted classics and American favorites. Indoor seating available or bring a lawn chair.  FREE!  

Deep Cut Gardens Open House

Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Enjoy tours, demonstrations, drop-in activities for children and more. FREE!  

Lacemaking Demonstration

Saturday, June 3 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See lacemaking in action as our demonstrator shows the historic techniques of crochet, bobbin and shuttle work used in the Victorian era. FREE!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, June 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 and 24 & 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands 
Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE! 

Mill Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, June 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 and 24 & 25 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 in action.  Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!  

Climb Time

Sunday, June 4 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!  

Casual Birder

Tuesday, June 6 at 9 a.m.  
Big Brook Park, Marlboro
Tuesday, June 20 at 9 a.m. 
Manasquan River Greenway Winter Run Activity Center, Howell
Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE!   

Drop-In & Sail

Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
See if sailing is for you during this offering where we provide the captain, and you provide the crew. We’ll head out on the water together on a 15’ American sailboat. Limited number of boats available; 1-3 people per boat. Open to ages 5 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $45 per boat for 30 minutes, $75 for 1 hour; cash or check only.

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, June 10 & 11 and 24 & 25 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. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, June 10 & 24 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! 

Story Time at Walnford

Sunday, June 11 from 11-11:45 a.m. 
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold 
Join us as we read a story beside the picturesque Crosswicks Creek. Feel free to bring a snack and a blanket or towel. Open to ages 2-7, with adult. FREE!

Felting Demonstration

Sunday, June 11 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See the process of felting wool during this demonstration. FREE!  

Concert in the Park: Tribute to Benny and Basie

Friday, June 16 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft – Outside at the Theater Barn   
Hear vocalist Altha Morton and the members of Sentimental Journey play tribute to the “royalty” of swing music and jazz - Benny Goodman & Count Basie - during this concert. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert is outdoors but will move inside if the weather is inclement. FREE! 

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, June 17 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.

Freshwater Fishing Derby

Saturday, June 17 from 2-5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Sunday, June 18 from 2-5 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold
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 $25 per family of 4; $8 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash or check only on site.

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music

Sunday, June 18 from 12-5 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft – Outside of the Headquarters Building 
The Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association will meet for a jam session under the trees. Bring your own bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar to join in, or just stop by and enjoy an afternoon of music. FREE!  

Nature Lecture: Sea Turtles Along the Jersey Shore

Thursday, June 22 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth 
Learn about these mysterious sea creatures and ways to save them from disappearing during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE! 

Woodworking at Walnford

Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Watch a local woodworker demonstrate 19th century techniques. FREE!

Pre-WWII Auto Display

Saturday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
See antique automobiles dating back to 1941 and earlier on display. Weather permitting. FREE! 

Storytelling in the Barn

Saturday, June 24 from 7-9 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft
Join us for a night of storytelling with host James Dalton. Light refreshments will be served. FREE!  

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, June 26, 28 & 30 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth - Meet on the beach near the park entrance.
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. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. Weather permitting. FREE!  

Life in a Freshwater Pond

Thursday, June 29 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! 

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.