It’s going to be a November to remember thanks to the Monmouth County Park System and all of the fun, family-friendly activities it has planned.  Here are some of the Park System’s offerings this November:

Nature Lecture Series: The American Eel in New Jersey

Thursday, November 3 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth 
Join a Park System Naturalist for a talk about these fascinating creatures that make an annual journey from fresh and brackish waters along the Jersey Shore to the salty Sargasso Sea. FREE!  

Climb Time

Saturday, November 5 from 12-3 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen 
Thursday, November 10 from 12-3 p.m.  
Shark River Park, Wall   
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!  

Mill Demonstration

Saturdays & Sundays, November 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and 26 & 27 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! 

Cookstove Demonstration

Sunday, November 6 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, November 19 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!  

The Casual Birder

Tuesday, November 8 at 9 a.m.  
Crosswicks Creek Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Province Line Road parking lot.
Tuesday, November 22 at 9 a.m.  
Perrineville Lake Park, Millstone - Meet in the Agress Road parking lot. 
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!  

Awesome Autumn Amble

Wednesday, November 9 from 10-11:30 a.m.  
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley’s Hill parking lot.
Wednesday, November 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.  
Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the lower pond parking lot.
Wednesday, November 30 from 10-11:30 a.m.  
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center 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! 

Fall Craft Show

Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls
Get a jump start on your holiday shopping during this show featuring 40+ crafters. Admission and parking are free.

Open Shoot Archery 

Saturday, November 12 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.

Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century

Saturday, November 12 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!  

The Fall Run Saltwater Fly-Fishing Clinic

Saturday, November 12 from 8-10 a.m.

Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch

Sunday, November 20 from 2-4 p.m.

Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan
Join a Park System Naturalist and learn how to target striped bass during their fall migration. Demonstration and discussion will address gear, line and leader set-ups, flies, reading water, and creating a plan of attack.  Fly-fishing equipment will NOT be supplied.  Participants are welcome to bring their own saltwater fly-fishing gear, specifically an 8-10 weight fly rod, and receive help in getting started fishing.  FREE!  

Cider Making Demonstration

Sunday, November 13 from 12-2 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Help press this year’s apple harvest into cider. Sample some fresh cider and talk about other uses for cider on the farm. FREE! 

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, November 19 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE! 

Nature on the Move 

Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m.
Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown 
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!  

No More Grist for the Mill

Sunday, November 27 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Celebrate the end of the milling season and the start of the holidays as the mill grinds the last of this year’s corn. Decorate a paper stocking, take a selfie in a sleigh, and sip on a cup of hot cocoa in our early 20th century Cow Barn. Then explore our 18th century house and see the gristmill in action. 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.