May Spotlight: Naturalist Division

Park System Naturalist Chris Lanza during a 
Park System fossiling program.

At the Monmouth County Park System we pride ourselves on offering programs that will introduce you to new hobbies, new skills or send you on an adventure. But we're also about bringing nature and the environment into your life by offering locations to learn about the natural world through exhibits or by interacting with staff. The Park System's Naturalist Division is staffed by a knowledgeable team that is prepared to answer questions and always on the look out for amazing nature finds throughout the year.

Staff at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Huber Woods Environmental Center and Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center are dedicated to the natural environment that surrounds us and the animals that inhabit it. Each season they provide programs that will educate children and adults about animals, insects, habitats, Native American ways of life, and more! Exciting and fun programs available this May include Blackfish Cove Kayak Adventure, Celebrate World Turtle Day, and Creatures of the Fishing Pier. Naturalists have also created a wide variety of group programs available for school and community groups that promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of our natural history and environment.  

Park System Naturalist Sam Skinner takes his role 
as our "Roving Naturalist", leading free nature walks through 
various parks throughout the year.

When they're not creating fun and educational programs for children and adults alike, Park System Naturalists are staffing their locations to offer nature interpretation to visitors. Have questions about a bird you spotted on a trail? Wondering what animals live in the reservoir? Interested in learning about the creatures of the Sandy Hook Bay? Our Naturalists are prepared to answer all of your questions.

Summer Camps Offer Adventure, Fun, Friendship and so Much More!

When you're a kid the best thing about summer is having fun with friends and enjoying the warmth of the season (and no school of course!). There's no better way to ensure your children have the best summer ever than by enrolling them in summer camps that fit their interests. This summer the Monmouth County Park System's Camp/Swim Program Directory has over 150 summer camps to choose from all of which are geared towards giving your child an exciting summer. Don't think we have something your child will enjoy? Check out some of these awesome new camps:

• Avengers Assemble! (entering K-2): If your child loves superheros, this camp is sure to be a blast! With games that will have campers outrunning the Flash in Speed Ball, assembling armor like Iron Man, or crawling through Spiderman's obstacle course, kids will love being just like their favorite superheros!
• Camp Woof (entering grades 6-8): If your child and dog have a great bond, they'll get a kick out our first camp that lets them play together! Together they will make friends, play games, splash in the kiddie pool, and learn basic skills on becoming a responsible dog owner and well mannered pooch.
• Explorers Club (entering grades 5-8): A week of exploration is in store as campers venture into woods, wetlands, and rivers in search of wildlife and fossils. We'll visit the animals of the Cape May Zoo, challenge ourselves on the ropes course at Thompson Park, try our hands at archery, and so much more!
• Extreme Adventure Odyssey (entering grades 8-12): Get ready for an adventurous week as we experience camping, "real rock climbing", a zip flyer, Segways, and so much more! You'll soar to new heights with this exciting teen camp.
• Grow, Harvest, Eat! (entering grades 3-4): There's something amazing gained when children learn about where the foods they eat come from. Together campers will tend a camp garden, harvest the produce and prepare simple recipes. They will also visit community gardens and local farms to learn about produce that is locally grown.
• Just 4 Girlz (entering grade 6-8): Does your daughter love her magazines? Campers will become reporters, writers, researchers, editors, columnists, photographers, and publishers, all while creating their own versions of their favorite girls magazines. This is a great opportunity for girls to build a vision around all the subjects important to them.
• Nightfall Nature (entering grades 4-6): This evening camp will allow your child to enjoy the mysteries of the night while hiking, fishing, kayaking, playing games, and exploring. These evening adventures are sure to bring a totally different summer camp experience.

These new camps are just a sampling of what we have to offer your child this summer. From arts & crafts to horticulture, fashion to farm life, equestrian to sports, and nature to odyssey adventures, there truly is a camp out there to suit any interest! And don't forget swim lessons!

Registration for children's summer camps and swim lessons begins:
Sunday, March 10:
Register online starting at 12noon or by phone at (732) 842-4000, ext. 1, from 12:00-4:00pm.
After March 10 you can register:

• Online 24/7
• By phone at (732) 842-4000, ext. 1, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
• By mail using the form in the back of the Camp/Swim Program Directory
• In person at Thompson Park Headquarters in Lincroft

Do you have a child with special needs who would love our camps? Call us at (732) 460-1167, ext. 24, to discuss what we can do to make your child's summer camp experience safe and exciting.

Make your child's summer an experience they'll never forget!

Ready for Some Spring Fun?

With spring just around the corner, this is the perfect time to become reacquainted with all that your County parks have to offer. From trails to playgrounds, historic sites to off-leash dog areas, special events to programs, and so much more; nothing can beat the Monmouth County Park System's ever growing list of activities for all ages and interests.

If you've had a moment to browse our Spring Program Directory, you've noticed that there are many new programs to get you out and enjoying your favorite parks. We hope you'll set aside time in your busy schedule for you and your family to enjoy pleasant spring days learning a new hobby, finding new ways to keep healthy, or creating memories that will last a lifetime.Check out these wonderful new happenings for this spring season:

Drop-In Surprise Story Time

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, is by far one of the best places to view spring blooms. Take some time out this spring season with your children to enjoy a favorite nature- or garden-related story as read by some of our wonderful Park System staffers and volunteers. If it's rainy or cold outside, we'll meet in the Horticultural Center. But if the weather is nice a clue at the entrance will lead you to our secret story spot out in the garden. This free program is available from 11-11:45am on the following Saturdays: March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, and May 18. 

Celebrating Blue, A Bluebell Festival

If you've never visited Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold, Sunday, April 14 is a perfect day to do so! From 11am-5pm families can enjoy crafts, story telling, music, games, milling, and so much more as we take a day to celebrate the approach of spring and the fleeting appearance of the bluebells along Crosswicks Creek.

Spring Craft Show

This brand new craft show is just in time for Mother's Day! Stop in to find a unique, hand crafted gift for your loved ones or a special person in your life. Join us on Saturday, April 27 from 9am-2pm at the Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Middletown, to view all the beautiful items on display. If you're a crafter and would like to reserve a booth, call us at (732) 542-1642, ext. 30.

Nature Next Door

Nature is everywhere! At home, school, work, and your favorite park. We want to hear about all the wonderful things you're seeing! Take our online survey to report your findings; not sure what you saw? Email a photo or question to one of our Park System Naturalists and they'll be able to help. Be sure to enter your findings often; with your entry you'll be eligible to win our grand prize! Other prizes will be given for rare or endangered animal sightings and for the most submissions. For more details, visit us here.

Passport to the Parks!

Ready to get out and discover the parks? Pick up your passport and a list of suggested programs, events, and activities to do throughout the Park System. When you arrive at the park to enjoy an activity, you will find a Park System emblem at our kiosks to rub into your book. After enjoying much fun, and once you've gotten eight rubbings into your passport, return it to us at Thompson Park to receive a prize for your achievement! Passports will be available starting March 1. For full details, visit our Passport to the Parks web page.

Rockin' the Trails 2013

This may be an annual family adventure, but in 2013 it's all new! Discover new places in the parks with this fun family activity. By visiting various parks you will discover a secret nature quote by orienting yourself along trails and special areas of the parks. The expedition can be completed at family's pace throughout the entire year. When your special Rockin' the Trails brochure is complete, return it to one of our Environmental Centers to retrieve your prize and also be entered into a grand prize drawing.


Don't miss out on all of these wonderful opportunities to explore and enjoy your Monmouth County Park System parks. For full details on all of our spring programs, be sure to pick up a copy of the Spring Program Directory currently available within most Monmouth County parks.

Holiday Fun in the Parks!

The holidays are upon us! Take some time out from the hustle and bustle that surrounds us this time of year, and make some memories in the parks. Here are some of the programs we have planned this holiday season:

Christmas Sing-a-Long
This holiday season come to the Historic Longstreet Farm farmhouse and visit with Rick Garland as he plays the piano for an old-fashioned sing-a-long the whole family will enjoy! Free! - Saturday, December 8, 1-3pm

Seasonal Senses
Come to Historic Walnford to see, touch, and smell an array of spices used in historical recipes. Many of the aromas we associate with winter holidays were from products imported by Richard Waln in the 18th century. Free! - Saturday & Sunday, December 15 & 16, 1-4pm

Visit with Santa
Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at Historic Longstreet Farm. Children can visit with Santa, then take a walk to the farmhouse and have a cup of cider. Be sure to bring your camera! Free! - Saturday & Sunday, December 22 & 23, 12-3pm

The Sounds of Christmas
Visit Historic Longstreet Farm to enjoy tranquil music as Larry Moser and Mary Nagen play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Free! - Sunday, December 23, 1-3pm

Holiday Centerpiece
(adults)
Join us at Deep Cut Gardens to create a centerpiece for your holiday table using mixed evergreens, fresh flowers, cones and other botanicals, finished with a bow and candle if you wish. Registration and fee required. - Saturday, December 22

Still looking for gifts for the special people in your life? Register your family member or friend for one of our wonderful programs. From arts & crafts to nature, outdoor adventures to horticulture, and so much more! The Park System is sure to have a program they will love! Check out a full listing of our upcoming programs here.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT THE 

MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM!

Working to Get Back on Track

The Monmouth County Park System family extends its heartfelt compassion and support to residents who suffered damage or other disruptions from the recent storm. We join with the entire Monmouth County community as we start the long but hopeful journey of rebuilding our homes and businesses.

We also extend a warm “thank you” to those who assisted with the storm relief supply center at Thompson Park, Lincroft. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted in sorting the goods that arrived, from non-perishable food to baby items, clothing and blankets to cleaning supplies. Each and every volunteer came ready to work, smiles on their faces. And to those who donated much needed supplies, you can be assured that you made a positive difference for your neighbors in their time of need.

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Fishing Pier at Bayshore Waterfront Park

Henry Hudson Trail near Atlantic Highlands Marin

After Hurricane Sandy there was much to do within the Park System. During the week following the storm, our Rangers were in the parks evaluating the damage and beginning clean up. Lack of power was the least of our worries. Most of our parks fared well, but some areas took on quite a bit of damage like the SkatePlex at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, the marina at Monmouth Cove, and the fishing pier at Bayshore Waterfront Park. There were many trees and large tree limbs down all over the parks, especially on our trails. And the winter storm that followed only a week later just made things more difficult and brought more of a mess. Even as of today, quite a few park trails remain closed due to safety issues from damaged and fallen trees. These include a large portion of the Henry Hudson Trail northern extension (Keyport to Highlands) and those at Huber Woods Park.

But the Park System is working hard to get back to normal. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the parks again, to have a place to de-stress and wind down. Most of our programs are back to normal again, and we've even gotten our Winter Program Directory out. All of our playgrounds have reopened, giving families a great place to visit and let loose. Many other park facilities have reopened, including our off-leash dog areas at Thompson Park and Wolf Hill Recreation Area, as well as our Environmental Centers at the Manasquan Reservoir and Huber Woods.

If you're looking to go for a run or a bike ride to let off some steam, there are trails open within Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust (paved trails at Rocky Point and some at Claypit); Shark River Park, Wall; Tatum Park, Middletown (Holly Grove and Dogwood Hollow); Manasquan Reservoir, Howell; and Thompson Park, Lincroft, to name a few. For the most up to date information on reopenings, please click here. 

We wish everyone well and hope for a hasty recovery during this holiday season.