The Monmouth County Park System is honoring Earth Day with nature walks, pond studies and more at select parks throughout the county this Saturday, April 23. Get outside and enjoy one of these free events on your own or with the grandkids! Here’s what is planned:
Nature Walks at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold – Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking area.
10 a.m. & 12 p.m.
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than a walk in the woods? A Park System Naturalist will lead
the walk and highlight the many sights, sounds and smells of the spring season. Please wear
appropriate footwear as trails might be muddy. Walks last about an hour.
Bird Walks at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen – Meet at the Visitor Center. 7 a.m. & 9 a.m.
Experience the best of morning bird activity with a Park System Naturalist. Monmouth County hosts a
wide variety of wildlife throughout the year and is home to some important “stopover” sites for
migratory birds in eastern North America. Join us on this casual walk as we look for birds and other
unique wildlife. Walks last about an hour.
Discover Freshwater Creatures at Huber Woods Park Environmental Center, Middletown
10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Join a Park System Naturalist as we explore life in a shallow pond. We will take scoops of water from a
local freshwater pond and make them available for you to explore. These scoops will contain plant
material as well as lots of insects to study. The Reptile House will be open for tours afterwards.
Programs last about an hour.
Nature Walks at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell – Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot.
10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Explore the woods and wetlands around the Manasquan Reservoir during a Park System Naturalist-led
walk. Observe local flora and fauna as you’re guided on this outdoor exploration. Please wear sturdy
shoes; walks are on uneven trails and last approximately one hour.
Beachcombing and Cleanup at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch
10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what types of shells wash up on our shores? Accompany a Park System
Naturalist as we comb the beach of Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park and learn about what we can
find along our local shorelines. During our walk, we will also participate in a small beach cleanup.
Nature on the Move at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold – Meet in the main parking area.
1-4 p.m.
See the Park System’s eye-catching Nature on the Move van that comes filled with hands-on tabletop
activities and displays sure to educate and engage everyone this Earth Day. Join one of our Park
System Naturalists for a hands-on interactive program.
Admission and parking for all activities are free. The Park System is also hosting an Earth Day Shore
Planting from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, April 22 at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth. Assist with a dune restoration project by planting native plants that will provide valuable habitat for local wildlife.
Plants are in limited supply, so this free program is on a first come, first served basis.
For more information about any of these offerings, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or
call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the 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.
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