January Events Planned for Monmouth County Parks in Holmdel

Start the new year off right by resolving to spend more time in the parks. It’s never been easier thanks to the numerous drop-in activities the Monmouth County Park System has planned in January including at parks right in Holmdel.

Here are the events taking place at parks in Holmdel:

Historic Longstreet Farm

• Parent/Child Morning Chores - Saturday, January 3 at 8 a.m.: Join the farm staff and help milk a cow, collect eggs, and feed the animals. The cost is $15 per parent/child pair. Additional sibling is $5. Cash or check only. Please dress for the weather.

• Blacksmith Demonstration - Sunday, January 11 from 1-3 p.m.: Come see what the blacksmith is making in his workshop. FREE!

Here are the events taking place in Middletown:

Deep Cut Gardens

• Drop-In Surprise Story Time - Saturday, January 3 from 11-11:45 a.m.: Join in for story time. If the weather is nice, look for the clue at the Horticultural Center’s entrance that leads to the secret spot. If it’s rainy or cold, we’ll be inside. FREE!

• Opening Reception for The Residents of Deep Cut Gardens Photography Exhibit - Saturday, January 3 from 1-3 p.m., Horticultural Center: Meet with the photographers of this charming exhibit. Light refreshments served. Exhibit open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m., January 4-31. FREE!

Thompson Park (Lincroft)

• Open Ceramics - Sunday, January 4 from 12:30-4:30 p.m., Creative Arts Center: Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.

• WinterFest - Saturday, January 10 from 1:30-5:30 p.m.: Beat the winter blues during this family-fun festival that features a snowman building contest, broom ball, and more. See ice sculptures, decorative lighting, and more. Warm up by the outdoor fireplace with music and a hot drink. Admission and parking are free!

• Sweetheart Clay Ornament - Friday, January 30 from 4-6 p.m., Creative Arts Center: Make a special valentine for your sweetheart. We will bisque and fire your creation and have it ready for Valentine’s Day. FREE!

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

• Nature Lecture Series: Snowy Owls of Monmouth County - Thursday, January 15 from 7-8 p.m.: Discover where snowy owls come from, where they go, what they eat and more during this slide presentation. FREE!

Huber Woods Park

• Roving Park System Naturalist - Sunday, January 18 at 10 a.m.: Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. FREE!

Here are the events taking place in Tinton Falls:

Fort Monmouth Recreation Center

• Women’s Open Gym Fitness - Saturdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 7:30-9 a.m.: Challenge yourself on this self-guided, self-paced fitness circuit which includes stability balls, hand weights, resistance bands and more. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only. Release form must be signed upon payment.

• Men’s Open Gym Basketball - Sundays, January 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 8-10 a.m.: Shoot some hoops on our full court gym. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

• Early Bird Open Gym - Monday-Friday, January 5-30 from 7:30-9 a.m.: Start your morning shooting some hoops. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

• Men’s Open Basketball – 30 & Up - Mondays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 7-8:30 p.m.: Open to men age 30 and over, the emphasis of this program is fun and exercise. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

• Teen Open Gym Fitness - Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 7-8:30 p.m.: These sessions are just for teens! Use stability balls, hand weights, resistance bands and more. Open to ages 13-18. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

• Family Gym Time - Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.: Enjoy tunnels, gym mats, trampolines, scooters and other play equipment available. No instruction provided. Parent supervision is required. The cost is $10 per family per day; cash or check only.

• Teen Open Gym Basketball - Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 3-4:30 p.m.: Teens age 13-18 are invited to play or practice on the full court gym. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

• Lunch Break Basketball - Fridays, January 9, 16, 23, 30 from 12-1:30 p.m.: Play full court pick-up games in the gym. The cost is $5 per person per day; cash or check only.

Here are the events taking place in Howell:

Manasquan Reservoir

• Eagles at the Environmental Center - Saturday & Sunday, January 24 & 25 at 12:30 p.m.: Hear the latest updates on the site’s eagles. FREE!

• Vernal Wetlands, Environmental Center - Saturday & Sunday, January 31 & February 1 at 1 p.m.: Learn about these special wetlands. FREE!

Here are the events taking place elsewhere in Monmouth County:

Seashore Open House, Long Branch

• Sunday, January 25 from 1-4 p.m.: Have some seashore-related fun during this open house. FREE!

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

• Celebrating Benjamin Franklin - Saturday, January 17 from 1-4 p.m.: Celebrate this amazing multifaceted man’s birthday with hands-on experiences and experiments. FREE!

Big Brook Park, Marlboro

• Roving Park System Naturalist - Saturday, January 31 at 9 a.m. (Meet in parking lot.): Join our Roving Park System Naturalist for a walk and learn about seasonal points of interest. FREE!

Beginning January 1, the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center will offer a monthly pass for $50. These cards are valid for Early Bird Open Gym, Open Gym, Men’s Open Gym Basketball, Men’s Open Basketball 30 & Up, Teen Open Basketball, Lunch Break Basketball,Women’s Open Fitness and Teen Open Fitness. For more information regarding the pass, please call the Recreation Center at 848-456-4278, ext. 1# or 4#.

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 Chosen Freeholders, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.