All The June Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — With its warm days and blue skies, June is perhaps the best month of the year to head out to your county parks. Even better, the Monmouth County Park System has filled the month with exciting activities the whole family can enjoy.

What's planned:

Deep Cut Gardens Open House

Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Enjoy tours, demonstrations, drop-in activities for children and more. FREE!

Historic Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, June 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 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!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, June 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 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!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturdays & Sundays, June 1 & 2, 8 & 9, 15 & 16, 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Friday, June 7 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. 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.

Seabrook-Wilson Open House

Sundays, June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30; Mondays, June 3, 10, 17 & 24; and Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20 & 27 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!

Historic Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, June 5-9, 12-16, 19-23 and 26-30 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Historic Portland Place, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust

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!

250th Anniversary of Walnford

Thursday, June 6 from 3-5 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Tour the house that the Walns once called home and sample ice cream made from an 18th century recipe on the front porch as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Walns at the site. FREE!

Concert in the Park - Colts Neck Community Band

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

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

Enjoy an evening of music and fun with the Colts Neck Community Band. The concert features popular music and showtunes. Indoor seating available or bring a lawn chair. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, June 8 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.

Lacemaking Demonstration

Saturday, June 8 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Storytelling in the Barn

Saturday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Gather around for a night of storytelling with host James Dalton. The evening will feature characters offering different voices and perspectives. Audience members will be encouraged to share their stories. Light refreshments will be served. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, June 8 & 22 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!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturdays & Sundays, June 8 & 9 and 22 & 23 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.

Nature Lecture Series: Snapping Turtles of Monmouth County

Thursday, June 13 from 7-8 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen

Come to this talk by a Park System Naturalist and learn about our snapping turtle population including what they eat, how they mate, and how they got their unique name. FREE!

Concert in the Park: People, Places and Possibilities!

Friday, June 14 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft

Hear vocalist Altha Morton and the Sentimental Journey Big Band combine the past with the present. Breaking the barriers between eras and genres of music, these performers can play everything from swing to Taylor Swift. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert is outdoors; however, if the weather is inclement, the concert will be moved indoors. FREE!

Pre-WWII Auto Display

Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Antique automobiles dating 1941 and earlier will be on display. FREE!

Climb Time

Saturday, June 15 from 12-3 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen

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!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

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

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Freshwater Fishing Derby

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

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell

Sunday, June 16 from 2-5 p.m.

Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold

Each day 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 16 from 12-5 p.m.

Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft - Outdoors

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

Casual Birder

Tuesday, June 18 at 9 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and a half and 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 this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!

Story Time at Walnford

Sunday, June 23 from 11-11:45 a.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Join us for storytime beside the picturesque Crosswicks Creek. Children are welcome to bring a snack and a mat, blanket or towel to sit on. During inclement weather, storytime will take place in the Cow Barn. Open to ages 2-7, with adult. FREE!

Victorian Laundry Demonstration

Sunday, June 23 from 12-2:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

From lighting the wood stove to ironing the aprons, experience a late-Victorian laundry day as we cover loads of material during this demonstration. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, June 23 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Let the sound of bluegrass music enliven your visit. FREE!

Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay

Monday, June 24; Wednesday, June 26; and Friday, June 28 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. Meet on the beach near the parking lot. 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 27 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 and 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!

Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration

Saturday, June 29 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the art of spinning fleece and learn various methods of knitting during this demonstration. 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.