What The Monmouth County Parks System Has Planned This October

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — With its riot of color and crisp autumn air, October is one of the best months to enjoy a county park! Even better, the Monmouth County Park System fills October with fun for everyone. Here’s what is planned:

Historic Portland Place Tours

Wednesdays-Sundays, October 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, and 30-November 3 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!

Seabrook-Wilson House Open

Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; Sundays, October 6, 13, 20 & 27; and Mondays, October 7, 21 & 28 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 Battery Lewis Tours

Saturdays & Sundays, October 5 & 6 and 12 & 13 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, October 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 grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Corn Harvest

Sunday, October 6 from 12-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Help pick this year's crop and learn about the important role corn played in feeding livestock through the winter months. Weather and field conditions permitting. FREE!

Old-Fashioned Fun & Games

Sunday, October 6 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Play a variety of historically themed games to delight and challenge the whole family. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. FREE!

Awesome Autumn Ambles

Thursday, October 10 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.

Thursday, October 24 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley's Hill parking lot.

Explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomena. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, October 12 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.

Cookstove Demonstrations

Saturdays, October 12 & 26 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!

Friendship Bracelets (Walnford's Version)

Sunday, October 13 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Calling all Swifties! Listen to the tunes of Taylor Swift, learn about the history of friendship bracelets, and make one of your own to take home. FREE!

Climb Time

Tuesday, October 15 from 3-6 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!

Fly Me to the Moon

Friday, October 18 from 8-9 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Look for migratory birds crossing the face of the moon as they make their southward journey. Weather permitting. FREE!

Woodworking at Walnford

Saturday, October 19 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Watch as local woodworker Don demonstrates 19th century woodworking. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, October 19 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Thompson Park Day

Sunday, October 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Celebrate the season during this family fun event that includes pumpkin painting, wagon rides, kids races, entertainment and so much more. Some activities have a fee. Admission and parking are free.

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Sunday, October 20 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, October 20 from 11-11:45 a.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Listen to a storybook in front of the hearth in the Waln House. Children are welcome to bring a snack and a mat, blanket or towel to sit on. Open to grades PreK-2. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, October 20 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

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

Casual Birder

Tuesday, October 22 at 9 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell - Meet at the Environmental Center.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. 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!

Nature Lecture: The Real Story of the Jersey Devil

Thursday, October 24 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Listen to this talk by a Park System Naturalist on the history and folklore of the Jersey Devil. FREE!

Trick-or-Treat at Walnford

Sunday, October 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Walk from building to building and gather facts about the site and treats to fill your basket. 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.