Climb Time and No License Fishing in Monmouth Parks

Enjoy the sun with this long list of Monmouth County Parks activities, going on at a park near you. 

The following was provided by the Monmouth County Parks System.

Morning Chores at Longstreet Farm
Saturday, June 1 at 8 a.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Rise and shine! Come help the staff with morning chores. You and your child (age 4 & up) can milk a cow, collect eggs and feed the animals. The cost is $15 per pair; $5 per additional person.

Roving Park System Naturalist
Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m.
Crosswicks Creek Greenway, Upper Freehold – meet in Province Line Road parking lot
Saturday, June 22 at 9 a.m.
Holmdel Park's Ramanessin section, Holmdel - meet in the Roberts Road parking lot

Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. Feel free to join in the walk and ask questions. FREE! 

What is Natural Horsemanship?
Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Middletown

Met Bekah Koutsos (2-Star Parelli Professional) and discover the basic principles of Natural Horsemanship - relationship, understanding, communication and trust. Q&A time will be provided. FREE! 

Drop-In Surprise Story Time
Saturdays, June 1, 15 & 29 from 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

It's story time!  If the weather is nice, look for the clue at our Horticultural Center entrance that leads to the secret spot in the gardens. If it’s rainy or cold, we’ll be inside. FREE!

Lacemaking Demonstration
Saturday, June 1 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how lacemaking was done during the 1890s.  FREE! 

Naturalist Guided Drop-in Kayak Tour
Saturday, June 1 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 13 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown

Join a Park System Naturalist for a leisurely paddle on the beautiful Navesink River. Meet at the Claypit Creek section of the park. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided - single and tandem kayaks are available. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Open to ages 12 and up, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $20 per person. Cash or check only.  First come, first served. Will be cancelled in event of inclement weather. 

Thompson Park Canoe Rental
Saturdays & Sundays, June 1 and 2 and 15 & 16 from 9 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. Fee is $15 per boat with a maximum of three people for two hours. Cash or check only.

New Jersey Snakes
Saturday & Sunday, June 1 and 2 at 1 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Learn about the state's snakes and meet a live one. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir
Weekends & holidays at 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. (now through October)
Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. Plan to arrive at the Visitor Center 10 minutes early. The cost is adults: $5.61; children 12 & under: $3.50 (tax not included). Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. 

Open Ceramics
Sunday, June 2 from 12:30 p.m. - 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.

Butter and Eggs
Sunday, June 2 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Meet the cow and help churn butter, admire the hens and chicks and sort eggs. Come and celebrate the past while learning some DIY tips for today. FREE!

Historic Seabrook-Wilson House Open for Tours
Sundays, June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s. See displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Colts Neck Community Band Concert in the Park
Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Join us for an evening of popular music including show tunes. Indoor seating available or bring your picnic dinner and lawn chairs. FREE!

Natural Horsemanship Demonstrations
Fridays, June 7, 14 and 21 from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Middletown

Curious to find out what Natural Horsemanship is all about? Watch staff play with the therapy horses on the ground and in the saddle. Q&A time will be provided. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery
Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

If you are looking to try your hand at archery, join us for this open shoot. All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This is a non-instructional program open to ages 8 and up (under 18 with adult). The cost is $7 per person; cash or check only.

Brook Trout Send-Off
Saturday, June 8 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Enjoy some fishy crafts and nature movies before we feed the trout one last time and release them into the water. FREE! 

Climb Time
Saturday, June 8 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck
Saturday, June 22 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunnyside Recreation Area, Middletown

Join us for a chance to try our 25 foot rock climbing wall. Climbers must be 42 inches or taller. FREE!

Deep Cut Gardens Open House
Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Join us for free guided tours, lectures, activities, demonstrations and advice. FREE!

Blacksmith Demonstration
Sunday, June 9 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Visit the blacksmith in his workshop. FREE! 

Krafty Kids Drop-In
Wednesday, June 12 from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown
Thursday, June 13 from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft.

Ages 4 and up, under 18 with adult, are invited to stop in and create a "Just for Dad" craft to take home. The cost is $5 per person. Cash or check only. 

Play Dates in the Park
Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel
Saturday, June 15 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, Leonardo
Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown
Saturday, June 29 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Join us for a game of Jumbo Basketball. This popular game is played with a 10-foot blow up basketball goal! Ages 5 and up, with adult. No experience necessary.  FREE!

In-Line Skate Rentals
Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel
Saturday, June 15 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, Leonardo

Rent a pair of in-line skates. Helmets and other protective equipment provided. Helmet must be worn at all times. Weather dependent (path must be dry). The cost is $2 per person. Cash or check only.

Antique Autos
Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Admire a display of pre-1948 autos, bring a picnic, tour the buildings, and spend a relaxing afternoon visiting the past.  FREE! 

Fish Prints
Saturday & Sunday, June 15 and 16 from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Make a fun fish print with your child. FREE!

No License Required Fishing Weekend - June 15 and 16    
Freshwater Fishing Rentals   
Saturday, June 15 from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, Howell
Sunday, June 16 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

We’ll have rods and reels for rent, as well as bait to be purchased. The cost is $5 per pole.

Hands-on Fishing Clinics 
Sunday, June 16 from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

Our staff will provide hands-on clinics to show you how to cast and rig as well as answer any questions.  FREE!

Freshwater Fishing Derby  
Saturday, June 15 from 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, Howell 
Sunday, June 16 from 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

The Park System will host fishing derbies for beginners as well as experienced anglers. Prizes awarded. Cash or check only.  Fee is $8 per person.

You Can Sail
Sunday, June 16 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Drop in for the opportunity to sail a 15-foot American sailboat. We'll provide the captain, you provide the crew. Maximum is three people per boat. The cost is $25 per boat.  

Music Man Rich Marzec
Sunday, June 16 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear tunes from yesteryear.  FREE! 

Pottery Open House
Thursday, June 20 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft

This is your chance to see if a pottery class is right for you. Dress for a mess as there is a lot of mud flinging going on around here. You won’t make anything you can take home but the experience will last a lifetime. Ages 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.  FREE!

Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market
Saturday, June 22 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck

Browse our vendors at this outdoor market for the one-of-a-kind item you did not even think you needed.  Admission and parking are free.

New Jersey Frogs
Saturday & Sunday, June 22 and 23 at 1 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Learn about the state's frogs and meet a few.  FREE! 

Seining at the Bayshore
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, June 24-August 23 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Discover marine life while seining the bay. Meet on the beach. Open to ages 5 and up, under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. Sorry, NO GROUPS.  FREE!

Daylily Day at Deep Cut Gardens
Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

The Park System and the Garden State Daylily Growers present this event that features exhibits showing a wide range of colors and forms and meet with experts. FREE! 

Roots of Root Beer
Sunday, June 30 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Drop-in and sample our brew, see how many ingredients you can identify, and raise your glass to a bit of family-friendly history. FREE!