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Kick off the start of spring with a trip to the seashore! Stop in during our annual Open House for some fun by the sea. Engaging hands-on activities will entertain and educate you and your family about the shore and the ocean. Speak with a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection or the aquatic animals on display. Free admission and parking.

Splendid Spring Strolls

Thursday, April 4 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Big Brook Park, Marlboro – Meet in the lower pond parking lot.

Thursday, April 18 from 10-11:30 a.m.

Clayton Park, Upper Freehold – Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot.

Welcome the season by joining a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk through the park. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE!

Milling Demonstrations

Saturdays & Sundays, April 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21 and 27 & 28 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 in action. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!

Spring Craft Show

Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls

This seasonal craft show features local artists and crafters. Admission and parking are free.

Open Shoot Archery

Saturday, April 13 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 Demonstration

Saturdays, April 13 & 27 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!

Sowing Seed Potatoes

Saturday & Sunday, April 13 & 14 from 12-2 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Help the staff sow this year’s crop of potatoes. Weather dependent. FREE!

Climb Time

Sunday, April 14 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!

Traditional Quilting Demonstration

Sunday, April 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

See the art of hand-stitching traditionally used in quilt making as the demonstrator uses techniques that pre-date sewing machines. FREE!

Nature Lecture: Dogfish Are Sharks

Thursday, April 18 from 7-8 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth

Discover everything you wanted to know about the most common sharks found in coastal waters in Monmouth County during this talk. FREE!

Earth Day Open House

Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell

Celebrate Earth Day with guided nature walks, live animal presentations, and nature crafts. Plus, local nature organizations will be on hand to provide information. FREE!

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Saturday, April 20 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Accordion Melodies of the 1890s

Saturday, April 20 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

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

Beach Cleanups and Beach Combing

Sunday, April 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Sunday, April 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch

Help clean up trash and debris while learning about local shellfish and shells. FREE!

Vintage Base Ball – Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club

Sunday, April 21 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Spend an afternoon watching one of America’s favorite pastimes played using rules from the 19th century. FREE!

Music on the Porch

Sunday, April 21 from 1-3 p.m.

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

Let the toe-tapping tunes of the Magnolia Street String Band enliven your visit. FREE!

Seabrook-Wilson House Open

Sundays, April 21 & 28; Mondays, April 22 & 29; and Thursday, April 25 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!

Earth Day Shore Planting

Monday, April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth

Help restore our native maritime forest by planting native plants. Your actions will provide valuable food and shelter for local wildlife! Plants are in limited supply; first come, first served. FREE!

Casual Birder

Tuesday, April 23 at 9 a.m.

Holmdel Park, Holmdel – Meet at the Shelter Building.

Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk and 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!

Wool Days/Sheep Shearing

Saturday & Sunday, April 27 & 28 from 12-3 p.m.

Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel

Learn how the farmers use traditional blade shearing practices to remove the fleece from sheep. Gene Sheninger will return with his collies to show their herding skills. FREE!

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