Get Ready to Fill Winter with Fun!

Autumn weather may just be sinking in, but winter is right around the corner. Here at the Monmouth County Park System we're working hard to plan tons of fun for when the temperature drops and the winter chill arrives. We want to be sure you to have plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the parks this winter, so don't miss the upcoming volume of our Parks & Programs Guide!

Formerly titled the Park System's "Program Directory", the Parks & Programs Guide offers hundreds of programs for you and your family to enjoy as well as information about various parks throughout Monmouth County. Available in most county parks starting on Friday, October 28, the winter volume offers programs such as:

• Basic Shaolin Kung Fu
• Bundled-Up Hikes
• Computer Coding for Kids
• Dancing Bears Music
• Full Moon Beach Walk
• Gingerbread Houses
• Holiday Topiary Workshop
• Keyboard Beginnings Music
• KidFit Passport to Fitness
• Ladies Winter Hiking Club
• Not Your Grandma's Crochet
• Outdoor Cross-Country Ski Clinics
• Seal Watch New Jersey
• We Can Cook
• Zumba Fitness
• And So Much More!!!

In the winter issue of our Parks & Programs Guide you'll also find information about winter fun you and your family can enjoy in the parks; general park information about locations such as Clayton Park, Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Holmdel Park, and Thompson Park; and details about upcoming special events including WinterFest, the Creative Arts & Music Festival, and the E. Murray Todd Half Marathon.

Interested in signing up for our winter programs? Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2. You may register online at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com; by phone by calling 732-842-4000, ext. 1, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; by mail using the Registration Form at the back of the Guide; or in person by visiting Park System Headquarters within Thompson Park at 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.

To join our mailing list to start receiving our program information by mail, call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312. For more information about the Monmouth County Park System and all we have to offer, visit us online at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. 

Celebrate Autumn During Thompson Park Day

The season is changing, and with that the temperatures and falling and the leaves are slowly beginning to change color. Now that the kids are back in school, weekend activities are even more important to have fun as a family. Autumn is an amazing time of year to experience the outdoors and what your Monmouth County parks have to offer.

A Monmouth County Park System tradition, Thompson Park Day makes it easy enjoy the cooler autumn weather with fun and exciting activities planned within the beauty of Thompson Park, Lincroft. Held on Sunday, October 16 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., families will have the opportunity to find there way through our corn maze, try out square dancing, play FootGolf or disc golf, go on a wagon ride, paint a pumpkin, participate in a race, complete a craft, and so much more! *

The Strut Your Mutt Doggie Costume Contest, offered through Friends of the Parks, returns to this year's Thompson Park Day. Dress up  your four-legged friend as something fun, silly or scary. It's even more fun when the whole family dresses up for this fundraising contest. Prizes will be awarded for the funniest, scariest, pretties, most original and best canine/human combo. Cost to register is $10 and is available through October 7. Registration can also be done during the event and costs $15. For full details and an application, click here. Interested in sponsoring this fantastic event? Visit Friends of the Parks for details.

Another exciting contest will have the entire family getting creative. Our Scarecrow Contest asks families to use their imagination to create the best scarecrow. We provide the framework and stuffing, you provide the face, outer coverings (clothing, etc.), and imagination. Pre-registration guarantees a frame and is available until October 15 and costs $10. Day of registration will be available on a first come, first served basis and costs $12. For an application, click here.

Additional family fun includes:

• Canoeing at Marlu Lake
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Zany Zombies
• Dash for Cash
• S.T.E.A.M. Fun
• Pottery Demonstrations
• Pie Eating Contests
• Climbing Wall *
• Archery *
• Rolling Video Games *

Come out and enjoy all the fun autumn offers during Thompson Park Day. Admission and parking are free. For a full list of details on this year's event, visit us online. Questions? Call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.

* Some activities require a fee