| Early Bird Workout |
Monday-Friday, August 31-September 4, 2026
7-10 a.m.
| Lap lanes available in our pool. Daily and season swim passes available for individuals and families (up to 4 people). Weather and conditions permitting. |
| Open Swim at the Fort |
Monday-Friday, August 31-September 4, 2026
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Enjoy the pool at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Daily and season swim passes available. Weather and conditions permitting.
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| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, September 2-6, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing |
Thursday, September 3, 2026
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
| Learn how to rig, bait, cast, and, hopefully, catch your first fish during this program offered at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16-69. Stop by the bait shop for day of registration. No groups please. FREE! |
| Climb Time at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park |
Friday, September 4, 2026
3-6 p.m.
| Head over to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch, and 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! |
| Open Swim at the Fort |
Saturday-Monday, September 5-7, 2026
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Enjoy the pool at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls. Daily and season swim passes available. Weather and conditions permitting.
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| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, September 5, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, September 5 & 6, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir |
Saturday-Monday, September 5-7, 2026
2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
732-919-0996, ext. 4526 | These 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, 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. Children must be 2-year or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only. |
| Music on the Porch |
Sunday, September 6, 2026
1-3 p.m.
609-259-6275 | Let the toe tapping tunes of an acoustic duo enliven your visit to Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. FREE! |
| Casual Birder at Huber Woods Park |
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk at Huber Woods Park, Middletown. We’ll 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!
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| Awesome Autumn Amble at Huber Woods Park |
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
10 a.m.
| Explore the trails at Huber Woods Park, Middletown, with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomena. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, September 9-13, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Jigsaw Puzzle Swap |
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10-11 a.m.
732-842-4000 | Bring used puzzles and swap them for "new to you" ones. For every puzzle you bring, you will get one token to take a "new" puzzle home. Complete puzzles in good condition, please. All categories welcome. Held in the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. FREE!
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| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Potato Harvest at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2026
12-2 p.m.
| Learn how potatoes were grown and harvested at the end of the 19th century. Help the Longstreet Farm staff bring in the crop and dig some potatoes for your own family. Weather and field conditions permitting. FREE! |
| Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century |
Saturday, September 12, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Head to the farmhouse at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, to hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads. FREE! |
| Open Shoot Archery |
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
| Improve your archery skills during this open shoot at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. This is NOT a beginner instructional program. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. All equipment is provided. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only. |
| Bonsai Day at Deep Cut Gardens |
Sunday, September 13, 2026
12-4 p.m.
732-671-6050 | The Monmouth County Park System and the Deep Cut Bonsai Society present this event at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. Experience this intricate and ancient art through demonstrations and displays, with experts on hand to answer your questions. Admission and parking are free. |
| Blacksmith Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, September 13, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Head to the blacksmith shop at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and see craftsmanship in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge. FREE!
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| Open Mic Poetry - Becoming and/or poems written only in the present tense |
Sunday, September 13, 2026
3-4:30 p.m.
| Explore or recite literary works during a time of alliteration, rhythm and verse. All are welcome to read your work aloud or read work from your favorite poet(s). Must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience. Pre-registration is recommended for readers. Held at the Thompson Park Theatre Barn, Lincroft. FREE! |
| Awesome Autumn Amble at Clayton Park |
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
10 a.m.
| Explore the trails at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold, with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomena. Meet in the Emley's Hill parking lot. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, September 16-20, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Nature Lecture: Explore the Galapagos Islands |
Thursday, September 17, 2026
7-8 p.m.
| Come to the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth, for a talk by a Park System Naturalist and learn about the Galapagos Islands and the sights, sounds, and biodiversity of this global hot spot for wildlife. FREE! |
| Open House Square Dance |
Friday, September 18, 2026
7-9 p.m.
| Give square dancing a try during this fun, family-friendly evening with the Middletown Ramblers! Held at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. Ages 14 and up are welcome; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. FREE!
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| Deep Cut Gardens Fall Native Plant Exchange |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
| Bring established native plants in 4-inch, 1-quart, 1- gallon or 2-gallon containers to exchange with like sizes. Label all plants. Only plants native to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States will be accepted. Plant intake from 8:30-10 a.m. Swap starts at 10 a.m. Held at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. FREE! |
| Wind & Sea Festival |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
| Celebrate all things water-related during this family-friendly festival at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth. Some activities are weather and conditions permitting. Admission and parking are free. |
| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, September 19 & 20, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Accordion Melodies of the 1890s |
Saturday, September 19, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Preserving the Harvest at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, September 20, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See 19th century techniques for food preservation such as salting, pickling, drying and jelling during this demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Casual Birder at Hartshorne Woods Park |
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk at Hartshorne Woods Park. Meet in the Rocky Point parking lot in Highlands. We’ll 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!
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| Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap Drop Off |
Wednesday-Tuesday, September 23-29, 2026
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
732-872-2670 | Upcycle gently used kids’, adults’, and even pet costumes for a spooktacular new-to-you ensemble. Costumes must be dropped off in advance at the Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown, or the Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft. The Swap is from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, September 23-27, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Everyone Has a Story |
Saturday, September 26, 2026
6-8 p.m.
732-842-4000 | Gather for a night of storytelling through life experiences. James Dalton, creator of AP & Me Productions, invites a cast of different characters from the region, all with unique voices and perspectives, all sharing their stories through a variety of topical prompts. Audience members will be encouraged to share their stories that relate to the given prompts as time allows. Light refreshments will be served. Held at the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. FREE!
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| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, September 27, 2026
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
| This old-fashioned fair, held at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, is reminiscent of the 1890s. Visitors can enjoy games and live entertainment. Admission and parking are free. |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, September 30-October 4, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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