MIDDLETOWN –  Looking to treat your family to some fun this fall?  It’s never been easier thanks to the Monmouth County Park System and all their offerings planned for October.
Here’s what is planned:

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, October 1 & 2, 8 & 9, and 15 & 16 from 12-4 p.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Rocky Point section
Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE! 

Mill Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, October 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold  
See the 19th century gristmill in action. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! 

Climb Time

Sunday, October 2 from 12-3 p.m.
Clayton Park Activity Center, Upper Freehold
Try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 1-4 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth  
Visit this house which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

The Casual Birder

Tuesday, October 4 at 9 a.m.  
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold - Meet at the Oak Point Shelter Building.
Tuesday, October 11 at 9 a.m.  
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell
Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!   

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, October 8 & 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! 

Awesome Autumn Amble

Wednesday, October 12 from 10-11:30 a.m.  
Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown - Meet in the courtyard.
Wednesday, October 26 from 10-11:30 a.m.  
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell - Meet in the parking lot.
Explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomenon. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

Archaeology in New Jersey

Saturday, October 15 from 1-3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Join the Archaeological Society of New Jersey for an afternoon of presentations on prehistoric and historic archaeology in the state. Learn more about upcoming public digs and have the chance to chat with professionals who are working in the field. Bring your local finds to discuss during the break. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, October 15 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. FREE!

Thompson Park Day

Sunday, October 16 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Enjoy this family fun event that includes pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids races, entertainment and so more! Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century

Saturday, October 22 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Tap your feet, dance a one-step, or sing-along to popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads as they are played inside the farmhouse. FREE! 

Nature on the Move

Sunday, October 23 at 3 p.m.
Manasquan River Greenway, Howell – Meet at the Winter Run Activity Center.
Look for our colorful Nature on the Move van and join one of our Park System Naturalists for a 30-45-minute hands-on interactive program. FREE!

Nature Lecture Series - The Real Story of the Jersey Devil

Thursday, October 27 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Learn about the history and folklore of the Jersey Devil during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, October 29 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!

Trick-or-Treat in Historic Walnford

Sunday, October 30 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Discover the history of this annual tradition while touring the historical buildings and beautiful fall landscape. Walk from building to building where staff will provide facts about Walnford and the family who lived here, as well as a treat to fill your basket. FREE!

To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.