360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747
732-264-7277
Park Map | Tick Advisory
Park opens at 7 a.m. daily, year round.
Closing time is 9:30 p.m. through July 26; 9 p.m. July 27-August 23; and 8:30 p.m. August 24-September 13.
Life in a Freshwater Pond runs Thursdays, June 25-August 20,
Located along the headwaters of Matawan Creek and Lake Lefferts, this 334-acre park is comprised mostly of woodland and protects critical wildlife habitat and bolsters water quality in the region. Both historically and environmentally significant, the park provides open space in a densely populated area of the county.
Trails may be accessed from the Monastery Lane and Greenwood Avenue entrances. Modern restrooms are available in the Visitor Center when programs are in session. Work is underway on expanding the trail system and making improvements to the buildings.
The park is named after a poet of the American Revolution, Philip Morin Freneau, whose family once partly owned the property. Known for his inspirational poetry and influential political articles in support of the American Revolution, Freneau played an important role shaping the country’s history.
FREE PROGRAMS
Explore the Rainforests of Belize
Sunday, October 18 from 1-2 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center
Belize’s rainforests are a pristine, biodiversity-rich area that includes jaguars, green iguanas, howler monkeys, and over 400 species of birds. Join a Park System Naturalist to take a rare glimpse of one of the most secluded rainforests in the world. Along the way, you will discover how our choices in Monmouth County directly influence the ecosystems and threaten the Belize rainforest from deforestation and climate change.
Nonnative Fish of New Jersey
Sunday, November 15 from 1-2 p.m.
Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center
Nonnative fish can severely disrupt ecosystems in New Jersey by preying on native species, competing for food, and spreading diseases. Discover some of the nonnative and invasive fish species swimming in New Jersey’s waters that threaten our native aquatic ecosystems. Nonnative fish, including some that were stocked for recreational fishing, can be found all over New Jersey, including right here in Monmouth County. Find out more and what you can do to help.
In accordance with New Jersey’s Smoke Free Air Act, all Monmouth County parks are tobacco free. The ban applies to cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaporize cigarettes, as well as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chew.
Directions:
FROM ROUTE 79
Take Route 79 (also called Freneau Road) north or south to Wilson Avenue. Go west on Wilson Avenue. Turn right onto Monastery Lane. Continue to the end of the road. Parking area is on the right.
FROM ROUTE 34
Take Route 34 north or south to Mill Road. Go west on Mill Road. Turn right onto Route 79 North (also called Freneau Road). Turn left onto Wilson Avenue. Turn right onto Monastery Lane. Continue to the end of the road. Parking area is on the right next to the Visitor Center.