All The June Activities In Monmouth County Parks

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Perhaps the prettiest month of the year, June is the perfect time to head out to your county parks. Even better, the Monmouth County Park System fills the month with activities the whole family can enjoy. Here’s what's planned:

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, May 31 & June 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Freehold

See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturdays & Sundays, May 31 & June 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m. & 7 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.

Dairy Day

Sunday, June 1 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Discover the vital role our dairy cows play in farm life through cheesemaking, butter churning and ice-cream making demonstrations. FREE!

Concert in the Park - Colts Neck Community Band

Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Enjoy an evening of music ranging from light classical to marches to Broadway favorites. Indoor seating is available or bring your lawn chairs. FREE!

Basket Weaving Demonstrations

Friday-Sunday, June 6-8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Visit the Penn/Jersey Basket Weaving Guild as they weave baskets. FREE!

Deep Cut Gardens Open House

Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Spend the day in the gardens! Activities include bonsai demonstrations, pollinator and gardening crafts, koi pond presentations and greenhouse tours. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturday, June 7 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!

Lacemaking Demonstration

Saturday, June 7 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Watch lacemaking in action as our demonstrator shows the historic techniques of crochet, bobbin and shuttle work used in the Victorian era. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, June 7 & 8 and 21 & 22 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. The cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours; cash or check only.

Victorian Laundry Demonstration

Sunday, June 8 from 1-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

From lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons, experience a late-Victorian laundry day during this demonstration. FREE!

Concert in the Park: Sentimental Journey Big Band

Friday, June 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Hear sounds from the Swing Era and beyond as Altha Morton performs with the Sentimental Journey Big Band for an evening of unforgettable music. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food, and soft drinks. Will move inside the Theater Barn if the weather is inclement. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, June 14 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.

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, June 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Listen to melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!

Freshwater Fishing Derby

Saturday, June 14 from 2-5 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Sunday, June 15 from 2-5 p.m.

Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

Starts with a free fishing clinic from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. Fishing pole rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental cost is $5 per pole. A container of worms is included with each registration. The cost is $28 per family of 4; $9 per person. Walk-ins are welcome; cash, check or credit card on site.

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music

Sunday, June 15 from 1-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft – Outside the Theater Barn

The Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association will meet for a jam session under the trees. Bring your own bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar to join in, or just stop by and enjoy an afternoon of music. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, June 15 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Let the toe tapping tunes of an acoustic duo enliven your visit to this historic site. FREE!

Rigging 101

Tuesday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet at the West Dock/Ramp.

If you are an experienced sailor but do not have a sailing certification or would like to refresh your skills, attend this session and learn how to rig our 15’ American sailboats. Sailors showing proficiency will have an opportunity to obtain a Monmouth County Park System sailing card, which will allow them to rent these boats during our drop-in sailboat rental times. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, June 17 at 9 a.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park - Meet in the Claypit Creek section parking lot in Locust.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. We’ll 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!

Climb Time

Saturday, June 21 from 12-3 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft – Use Marlu Lake parking lot.

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!

Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration

Saturday, June 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Discover the art of spinning fleece and learn various methods of knitting. FREE!

Felting Demonstration

Sunday, June 22 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the process of felting wool during this demonstration. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Wednesday & Friday, June 25 & 27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Discover a variety of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures as we pull a long seine net along the edge of Sandy Hook Bay. Closed-toe shoes are required. Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. No swimming during the event. This program is designed for individuals and families. Weather permitting. FREE!

Life in a Freshwater Pond

Thursday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet outside the Visitor Center.

Join Park System naturalists to explore a freshwater pond. We’ll look for basking turtles, hopping frogs, hunting herons, splashing fish, and anything else that catches our eye. We will also discover the unique life that lies underneath the water in a freshwater pond. Wear closed-toe shoes. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Weather permitting. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Sea Stars and Sand Dollars of the Jersey Shore

Thursday, June 26 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Learn about these little aquatic invertebrates during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!

Traditional Chair Caning Demonstration

Saturday, June 28 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the process of weaving natural plant fibers into the seat of a traditional chair during this demonstration. FREE!

Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century

Saturday, June 28 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!

Under the Summer Stars

Sunday, June 29 from 10:30-11:30 p.m.

Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck – Use the soccer field parking lot.

Look for key objects and constellations in the night sky with our guide. Bring a camp chair to rest on as we star search and a flashlight to light your way in the dark. Program may be cancelled due to overcast skies or inclement weather. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. FREE!

That’s not all! The Monmouth County Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours during the warmer months including:

Historic Battery Lewis

Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 13.

Hartshorne Woods Park - Use Rocky Point entrance in Highlands.

Historic Holmes-Hendrickson House

Friday-Sunday from 12-3 p.m. starting every half hour; tours offered through October 5.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Historic Portland Place

Wednesday-Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.; tours offered through November 16.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust section of Middletown

Historic Racing Stable

Fridays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 19.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Historic Seabrook-Wilson House

Mondays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1-4 p.m.; tours offered through October 30.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Please note that these historic sites may close due inclement weather and on county holidays.

To learn more about these Park System activities, parks and historic sites, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.