ENJOY SEPTEMBER IN THE PARKS!

MIDDLETOWN - From canoe rentals to a concert in the park, the Monmouth County Park System is filling September with activities the whole family can enjoy.   Here’s what is planned:

Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century

Saturday, September 3 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!  

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturday & Sunday, September 3 & 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only.

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, September 3 & 4, 10, 17 & 18, and 24 & 25 from 12-4 p.m.
Sunday, September 11 from 1-4 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 Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, September 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, and 24 & 25 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!  

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturday-Monday, September 3-5 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
These 45-minute tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, September 4, 11, 18 & 25 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, September 6 at 9 a.m.    
Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan
Tuesday, September 13 at 9 a.m.  
Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, Howell
Tuesday, September 20 at 9 a.m.  
Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Meet at the Pond View Shelter Building.  
Join a Park System Naturalist for a 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, September 10 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

Saturday, September 10 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!  

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, September 10 from 1-3 p.m.  
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. FREE!

Bonsai Day

Sunday, September 11 from 12-4 p.m.  
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Experience this intricate and ancient art through demonstrations and displays, with experts on hand to answer your questions. Presented by the Monmouth County Park System and the Deep Cut Bonsai Society. Admission and parking are free.

Nature on the Move - Autumn Days

Sunday, September 11 at 3 p.m.
Clayton Park Activity Center, Upper Freehold  
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!  

Climb Time

Tuesday, September 13 from 3-6 p.m.  
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch
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!  

Nature Lecture Series: Knobbed Whelks of New Jersey

Thursday, September 15 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Come to this fun talk by a Park System Naturalist about knobbed whelks, seashells, and other mysterious marine life. FREE!

Fall Plant Swap

Saturday, September 17
Plant intake from 8:30-10 a.m.
Plant selection starts at 10 a.m.
Tatum Park, Middletown – Use the Red Hill Road entrance.
Bring perennials in one-quart, one-gallon or two-gallon containers and take home the same size and number of plants. Please label all plants. Houseplants may also be exchanged, but no annuals please. FREE!   

Wind & Sea Festival

Saturday, September 17 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Celebrate all things water-related such as kayaking, fishing, kite flying, sandcastle building, and so much more during this family-friendly festival. Admission and parking are free. Some activities may have a fee. Parking at the Belford Ferry Terminal.

Preserving the Harvest

Saturday, September 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Learn about 19th century techniques for food preservation such as salting, pickling, drying and jelling. FREE!  

Annual Cornbread Contest

Sunday, September 18 from 12:30-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold  
Bring your favorite homemade cornbread in a 9”x13” pan and a typed copy of the recipe between 12:30-1 p.m. Peer tasting and voting will take place from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and ribbons will be awarded at 3 p.m. by our panel of judges and the popular vote. All ages are welcome. FREE!

Harvest Home Festival

Sunday, September 25 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel  
This old-fashioned fair is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy games, wagon rides, and live entertainment. Admission and parking are free.

Concert in the Park: A Night of Jazz and Blues

Friday, September 30 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft
The roots of blues and jazz music run deep at the Jersey Shore. Join us as we explore and listen to some of the talents from our own backyard. Bring chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert will be held outdoors but will move indoors if the weather is inclement. All ages welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 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.