April brings Earth Day, the return of Historic Walnford’s gristmill demonstrations, and countless
other opportunities to enjoy the Monmouth County Park System. Here’s what’s planned for the month:
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
