All The May Events In Monmouth County Parks

LINCROFT, NJ — From Splendid Spring Strolls to canoe rentals in Thompson Park, May is the perfect time to enjoy a county park. The Monmouth County Park System has filled the month with plenty of family-friendly fun. Here’s what is planned:

Splendid Spring Strolls

Friday, May 4 from 3:30-5 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Monastary Lane parking lot.

Friday, May 18 from 3:30-5 p.m.

Huber Woods Park, Middletown - Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.

Say “farewell” to the frigid weather as you join a Park Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk. FREE!

Roving Naturalist

Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m.

Tatum Park, Middletown - Meet in the Holland Activity Center parking lot.

Join our Roving Naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 1.5-2 hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. FREE!

Creative Arts & Music Festival

Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thompson Park, Lincroft

This juried arts festival features specially selected artists’ works of pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings and other mediums. Besides the artwork, visitors will enjoy live music and free art demonstrations and activities. Admission and parking are free.

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, May 5 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See how 19th century woodworking tools were used to create various items. FREE!

Embroidery Demonstration

Saturday, May 5 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See this delicate craft demonstrated. FREE!

Cookstove Demonstration

Saturdays, May 5 & 19 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Visit the out kitchen and see what's cooking on the woodstove. FREE!

Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir

Saturdays & Sundays, May 5 & 6, 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Saturday-Monday, 26-28 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. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center.

Open Ceramics

Sunday, May 6 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft

Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Children age 12 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.

Climb Time

Sunday, May 6 from 1-5 p.m.

Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen

Try the Park System’s 25’ portable climbing wall. Climbers must be 42” or taller and age 8 or older (under 18 with adult). FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Tours

Sundays, May 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 see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!

Deep Cut Gardens Open House & National Public Gardens Day

Friday-Sunday, May 11-13 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

This event features tours, a gardeners’ helpline conducted by the Master Gardeners, demonstrations by local plant societies, drop in activities for children and more. For a complete schedule, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. FREE!

Clayton Park Open House

Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Clayton Park Activity Center, Upper Freehold

Discover the splendor of spring with your family in beautiful western Monmouth County. Enjoy the Park System's portable climbing wall and create some spring treasures. FREE!

Find Your Path in Volunteering

Wednesday, May 16 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft

Learn about the many unique opportunities the Park System has to offer. Open to ages 14 & up.

The Casual Birder

Thursday, May 17 at 9 a.m.

Manasquan Reservoir, Howell - Meet by the Visitor Center.

Thursday, May 31 at 9 a.m.

Perrineville Lake Park, Millstone - Meet in the Agress Road parking area.

Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour 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 to borrow if needed.FREE!

Nature Lecture Series: Horseshoe Crabs Trying to Survive in the Modern World

Thursday, May 17 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Join us as we discuss why the population of horseshoe crabs is declining and how people are currently working to protect the crab through research and what you can do to help. FREE!

Dedication & Opening of the Historic World War II Battery Lewis

Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m.

Hartshorne Woods Park, Rocky Point section, Highlands

Come to the dedication and opening of the Historic World War II Battery Lewis. Open House until 4 p.m.

Vintage Base Ball with the Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club

Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the game played with the styles and rules of the 19th century. FREE!

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

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

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Hear music from yesteryear played on an accordion. FREE!

Open Shoot Archery

Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft

All equipment is provided. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. Open to ages 10 and up (under 18 with adult). Cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.

Walnford Day

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

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Enjoy demonstrations, hands-on activities, games, exhibits and displays. FREE!

Beach Walk Along Sandy Hook Bay

Sunday, May 20 from 1-2 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Join a Park System Naturalist as we walk the sandy beach and search for shells and other treasures. Bring a cloth bag or bucket to collect shells. FREE!

Thompson Park Canoe Rentals

Saturday & Sunday, May 26 & 27 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 ages 3 and up, 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.

Decoration Day Celebration

Monday, May 28 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Join in the celebration as the farm staff enjoys an old-fashioned Decoration Day. FREE!

PICTURED – Creative Arts & Music Festival on Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft.