Now that April showers brought May flowers, it's the perfect time to head out to your county parks. Here's what's planned:
Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
OLD BRIDGE, NJ — Now that April showers brought May flowers, it’s the perfect time to head out to your county parks. Here's everything planned this May in the Monmouth County Parks System:
Seabrook-Wilson House Open
Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; Sundays, May 4, 11, 18 & 25; and Mondays, May 5, 12 & 19 from 1-4 p.m.
Located at Bayshore Waterfront Park in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown
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!
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Holmes-Hendrickson House Tours
Fridays-Sundays, May 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, and 30-June 1 at 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Located in Holmdel Park, Holmdel
Tour this house, which dates back to 1754, and is furnished to reflect the status of a successful colonial farming family and is an example of how Dutch and English cultures melded to form Monmouth County’s unique heritage. Tours are limited to 10 persons. FREE!
Jigsaw Puzzle Swap
Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Held at the Thompson Park Theatre Barn in Lincroft
Bring used puzzles and swap them for "new to you" ones. For every puzzle you bring, you will get one token to take a "new" puzzle home. Complete puzzles in good condition, please. All categories welcome. FREE!
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration
Saturday, May 3 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!
Hands-On History
Saturday, May 3 from 12-4:30 p.m.
Held at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Explore some of our favorite “hands-on” items through operation and physical contact. FREE!
Traditional Quilting Demonstration
Saturday, May 3 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See our quilter demonstrate how to hand sew a quilt. FREE!
Historic Portland Place Tours
Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays-Sundays, May 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, and 28-June 1 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Located in Hartshorne Woods Park, in the Locust section of Middletown
Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house with exhibits that help tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during severe weather conditions. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center day of tour. FREE!
Milling Demonstrations
Saturdays & Sundays, May 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 & June 1 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 grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!
Vintage Base Ball - Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club
Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel
Spend an afternoon watching one of America’s favorite pastimes played using rules from the 19th century. FREE!
Plant a Sunflower
Sunday, May 4 from 12-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Help the staff plant this year’s sunflower field. Then return in the fall and harvest one to bring home. Weather and field conditions permitting. FREE!
Casual Birder
Tuesday, May 6 at 9 a.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park - Meet in the Rocky Point parking lot in Highlands.
Tuesday, May 20 at 9 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Visitor Center 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. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!
Creative Arts Festival
Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
See the works of artists and fine crafters from all mediums including pottery, jewelry and painting. Event includes art demonstrations, live music, and food vendors. Admission and parking are free.
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
Saturday, May 10 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!
Cookstove Demonstrations
Saturdays, May 10 & 24 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!
Splendid Spring Strolls
Wednesday, May 14 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro - Meet in the Lower Pond parking lot.
Wednesday, May 21 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.
Join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk and soak up the season. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE!
Native Plant Exchange
Saturday, May 17 - Plant intake from 8:30-10 a.m.
Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown
Swap labeled plants native to the Mid-Atlantic region for same size and number. Event includes lecture from 9:15-10:15 a.m. FREE!
Open Shoot Archery
Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-1 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.
Walnford Day
Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Spend a day celebrating 200 years of Waln history with demonstrations, music and wagon rides. FREE!
Nature Lecture: Horseshoe Crabs in Monmouth County
Thursday, May 22 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Find out more about this extraordinary living fossil and what you can do to help restore the population of horseshoe crabs to the Jersey Shore during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!
Embroidery Demonstration
Saturday, May 24 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how various stitches and embellishments are used to create beautiful pieces of clothing or decoration for the home. FREE!
Historic Battery Lewis Tours
Saturdays & Sundays, May 24 & 25, 31 & June 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands – Use Rocky Point parking lot.
Tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site. FREE!
Boat Tours at the Manasquan Reservoir
Saturday-Monday, May 24-26 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, May 31 & June 1 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. Children must be at least one-year or older to attend and be able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Lifejackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only.
The Libby Prison Minstrels
Sunday, May 25 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear historical songs performed by the Libby Prison Minstrels about life on the battlefield and the home front during the Civil War era. FREE!
Decoration Day Celebration
Monday, May 26 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Enjoy the good company of family and friends as we honor this early American holiday. FREE!
Climb Time
Friday, May 30 from 3-6 p.m.
Thompson Park, Lincroft
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!
To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.
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