Spend Winter Break in the Parks

Avoid the possibility of winter break boredom by planning to visit your Monmouth County parks next week. With over 30 park locations, it will be easy to plan activities everyone in the family can enjoy. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Take a walk or bike some of the Park System's over 130 miles of trails. Our most popular trail locations include the Henry Hudson Trail; Manasquan Reservoir, Howell; and Thompson Park, Lincroft. For a full listing of our trails as well as ratings and mileage, click here.
• Step back in time with a visit to one of our historic sites. Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel offers a glimpse into the sights, sounds and smells of rural Monmouth County as it was in the 1890s. Interpreters in period dress show both daily and seasonal agricultural and domestic activities as they maintain the farm. Longstreet Farm is open to visitors from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Or head to western Monmouth County to the explore the serenity of Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold where you'll learn about the Waln family and the evolution of Walnford over two centuries, from an 18th century industrial viallage and family farm to an elegant country estate. Buildings at Historic Walnford are open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 
• Explore the beauty of Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. View the transformation of the gardens in the winter. Be sure to stop in the Horticultural Center and check out the library, and the greenhouse is not to be missed!
• The indoor gymnasium at Fort Monmouth Recreation Area has a selection of Open Gym times available. We'll have play equipment available as well as table games in our lobby. Children age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per person, per day. For dates and times, visit http://bit.ly/1MPAdUr. 
  
• Kids will love bundling up and heading outdoors to run, jump and climb at one of our playgrounds! Staying active is easy with a visit to one of our ten playgrounds at parks including Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck; Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Atlantic Highlands; Shark River Park, Neptune; or Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold. For a full list of playground locations, click here. 

These are just some of the ways you can get outdoors and explore your Monmouth County parks during winter break. For more information on the parks, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com.