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. 

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

Say Farewell to Summer with the Wind & Sea Festival

Summer may be coming to an end, but your Monmouth County Park System is ready to extend the fun with this year's annual Wind & Sea Festival. Held on Saturday, September 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, the Wind & Sea Festival is a celebration of local shore-related fun.

Held along the calm and picturesque Sandy Hook Bay, the festival will offer plenty of family-friendly fun for all ages including:

• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
• Seining
• Sand Casting
• Fishing and Crabbing
• Sand Castle Building
• Shelling
• Kite Flying
• Disc Golf
• Beach Volleyball
• Hula Dancing
• And so much more!

Local organizations will be on hand to offer information about who they are and what they do for our community, as well as answer any questions you may have. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council, Clean Ocean Action, NY/NJ Baykeeper, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and many others.

New to the festival this year, visitors will be able to take advantage of some local shopping too! A variety Made in Monmouth vendors will be on hand selling their locally made items. Showcasing businesses strictly located in our beautiful county, Made in Monmouth has become a favorite tent at the ever popular Monmouth County Fair as well. You won't want to miss checking out their wares. 

Don't miss that chance to make the Wind & Sea Festival part of your goodbye to summer. Parking will be available at the Belford Ferry Terminal at 10 Harbor Way in Belford. From there, the Park System will provide shuttle buses to and from the event. And don't worry about bringing lunch, food vendors will be on site for you to purchase a delicious lunch or just a snack. 

For more information about this year's Wind & Sea Festival, visit us at http://bit.ly/2bTas7h.

Summer Bucket List

Summer is here and it's the perfect season to spend time together as a family, having fun and making memories you'll treasure for years to come. At the Monmouth County Park System we work hard to give local families a place to enjoy a variety of activities. Add the parks to your summer attractions with this summertime in the parks bucket list:

1. Hit the beach! The Jersey shore is known to be a great place for summertime fun in the sun. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch is the perfect sandy spot for the entire family. During the summer months, this 38-acre park offers a snack bar, sheltered eating areas, volleyball area, outdoor showers and changing areas, guarded swimming and designated areas for surfing. Plus, there's a universally accessible playground as well as a skateplex. For full details on summer park access fees, click here.
2. Discover the creatures that live in Sandy Hook Bay during our free, drop-in Summer Seining. Held at two locations this summer, families get a hands-on glimpse at the fish, crabs and other critters that live near the edge of the bay. Seining takes place from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Bayshore Waterfront Park through August 26. New this summer, you can also enjoy this popular free program at the Popamora Point section of the Henry Hudson Trail from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on July 19, July 21, August 2, August 4, August 23 and August 25. 
   
3. Experience the excitement of our annual Monmouth County Fair from July 27-31. The Fair features thrilling rides, animal shows & exhibits, entertainment, 4-H shows and exhibits, home & garden demonstrations and competitions, Park System displays, FFA Farm Stand, Made in Monmouth tent, musical acts, crafters and commercial vendors, delicious food and so much more! 
4. Go on a self-guided nature adventure with our Safari Backpacks! Available at three Park System locations, this is a terrific way to explore the park. Safari Backpacks are available at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Huber Woods Environmental Center and Deep Cut Gardens. Safari Backpacks are free to use, but you must leave a valid NJ driver's license with the docent.
5. Go for a paddle! Put on your life jacket, grab some paddles, and hit the water. Boats are available at three Park System locations. At the Manasquan Reservoir you can rent a rowboat or kayak through the summer, as well as sailboats (pre-registration required). Kayaks, canoes and paddleboats are available at Turkey Swamp Park. And on select weekends visitors can rent canoes at Thompson Park; upcoming weekends include July 16 & 17 and July 30 & 31. For full details and pricing, click here. 
6. Explore the nature of Fisherman's Cove Conservation Area with a Park System Naturalist on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. through August 30. During Tidal Tuesdays, families will learn exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats through exciting free activities such as meeting creatures that live in the water or creating crafts from found materials. 
7. Experience the world of golf as you try a variety of non-traditional golf activities at Bel-Aire Golf Course. From 4-7 p.m. on July 17 and August 19, enjoy free fun during Golf Fore Fun by playing FootGolf, Snag Golf, putting games and more!
8. Summer is the perfect time of year to spot the various types of butterflies that frequent our area. Go on a free Butterfly Walk with a Park System Naturalist to identify the butterflies found in our many fields. Click here for upcoming dates, times and locations. 
9. Spend a night under the stars while camping at Turkey Swamp Park. With 64 campsites and three cabins, Turkey Swamp is the perfect place to enjoy a staycation the whole family will love. Campground amenities include wooded campsites, electrical service, water service, modern restrooms, fire rings for charcoal cooking and campfires, picnic tables, playgrounds and more. Make your reservation by calling 732-462-7286 after 11 a.m. daily.
10. Step back in time with a visit to our two historic sites. Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, is a living historical farm that allows visitors to experience life as it was in rural Monmouth County during the 1890s. Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, is the perfect place to appreciate over 200 years of social, industrial and agricultural history as its reflected through five generations of the Waln family.
11. Earn nature patches with our Nature Adventures Patch Collectors program. Once registered, you'll receive monthly emails (or letters) informing you of which upcoming programs you can attend and the ways to earn the eight mini patches. For full details, click here. 
    
12. Cool off by taking a swim at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Area's large outdoor swimming pool. Open Swim times are available throughout the summer for families to come and relax; check out the July calendar. Daily rates are $7 per person or $20 per family of up to four people. Season passes are also available (click here). 
13. Experience the beauty and nature of the Manasquan Reservoir with a Park System Naturalist led Boat Tour where you might spot turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and perhaps a bald eagle. Cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child (12 and under). Tours are available this summer on weekends and holidays at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and on the first Friday of August and September. For full details, click here. 

We hope you'll join us for these great activities in the parks this summer! Of course, this is a just a short list of so many things you can enjoy in your Monmouth County parks. Tell us what your favorite activity in the parks is in the comment section below.