Ten Activities to Enjoy in Middletown This Spring

Here is a list of fun ways to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Celebrating the arrival of spring with your family and friends can be really fun and refreshing after a long winter. Now that the weather is finally improving, it's time to break free from cabin fever, get some fresh air and enjoy fun outdoor activities. Here are 10 fun ideas to try in the Middletown area.  1)    Take to the extensive network of locals trails. Explore a trail near you at a local park, including Thompson Park, Huber Woods Park and Hartshorne Woods Park, or plan a day trip along the the Delaware Water Gap: Mt. Tammany on the NJ side and Mt. Minsi on the PA side with The Monmouth County Parks Dept. 2)    Zip to the Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River, or coo over the purebreed puppies behind clear windows at the American Puppy …

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Winter Sports in Middletown's Parks

Snow just made cross-country skiing possible Thompson Park, Huber Woods and Hartshorne Woods.

Interested in trying out winter sports in the Monmouth County Parks today? Here is the latest information about equipment rental from the Parks' website.  Cross country skis and snowshoes will be rented from the Thompson Park Ski Hut beginning at 9am Sunday. Rental is for one hour.  Ski Equipment: $15.00; Snowshoes: $10 Equipment rented after 3pm must be returned by 12noon the next day. The Ski Hut is next to the Three Barns Parking Lot (near Creative Arts Center and Off-Leash Dog Area).  Cross country skiing is also permitted at  Hartshorne Woods and  Huber Woods in Middletown.  Holmdel Park Sled Hill at Longstreet Road in Holmdel will be open until 8am - 7pm Sunday, conditions permitting. Call Holmdel Park at (732) 946-9562 for current …

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In Thompson Park, Soaking In A Little Sun Before the Drenching Rain

After weeks of frigid weather, Thompson Park visitors enjoyed remarkably warm day with temperatures in the mid-60s. The break ends tonight with windy rain showers through tomorrow morning.

On Jan. 30, 2013  the temperature in this part of the world fleetingly rose to a balmy 66 degrees. Outside was cloudy and breezy, and cooped-up local residents stepped outside to stroll the paths in the stark, leafless beauty of Thompson Park.  Around 3 p.m., mothers in sneakers were power-walking while pushing babies in strollers. Dog owners were meandering the paved paths. Cyclists were whooshing along the loop on Christmas bikes. Two students were laying on a blanket in the grass, shoes off, cramming for midterms.  On Thursday, the weather is forecasted to be cold and windy with a chance of rain, with temperatures only reaching 39 degrees. 

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Hurricane Sandy

Sandy County-Run Distribution Sites Close 5 p.m. Sunday

Donations still accepted at Thompson Park in Lincroft

Monmouth County government's two remaining supply distribution sites will close at 5 p.m. today. Holy Family Church in Hazlet and Monmouth Park in Oceanport will discontinue operations while the county's third distribution site, Circle Factory Outlets in Wall, was shut down Friday. "The distribution sites have served our residents well over the past 11 days,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “We thank our partners and the volunteers who helped our residents through some difficult days.” However, donations are still being accepted at Thompson Park (805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and will be distributed directly to municipalities and nonprofit organizations. Towels and blankets are among the most frequently …

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Weekend Outlook for July 14 & 15 in Middletown

Find out what is going on in Middletown this weekend

This weekend in Middletown, temperatures are forecasted to reach the upper 80s and there is a chance of thunderstorms. Whether you pass the time indoors or outdoors, there is plenty to do right here in town. Middletown’s Comic Con Middletown Township Public Library will be holding its own Comic Con. Talk to artists and learn how you can create comics during the event from 1-4 p.m. Costumes welcome.  Prizes will be given out courtesy of The Hobby Shop.   On the Water Drop-In with Thompson Park Canoe Rentals The Monmouth County Park System will offer canoes to paddle on Marlu Lake in Thompson Park, Lincroft on Saturday - Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All equipment is provided but only limited number of canoes available. Fee is $15 per boat. A…

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In Their Opinion ...

Kudos to County on Thompson Park Bridges

Lincroft Village Green Association pens release of thanks for two bridges added to Thompson Park.

A release from the Lincroft Village Green Association: Finally a bridge, make that two bridges, to somewhere — from the Lincroft section of Middletown to Holmdel and back again. The long sought completion of the 4.4 mile Thompson Park Loop was realized this year. No longer does the jogger, biker or avid walker enjoying the bucolic surroundings of lovely Thompson Park have to detour to the dangerous roadway to continue their journey. The two bridges that complete the loop will be dedicated by the Monmouth County Park System on Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m. in Thompson Park at Longbridge Road. This represents a truly unique endeavor, since the two bridges were constructed by two different county entities. The first bridge, over Marlu Lake, …

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Doggie Treat Truck to Visit Middletown

Local canines can get doggy ice cream and cookies at Thompson Park and Bayshore Waterfront Park.

The Best Friends Pet Care Treat Truck for Dogs is coming to Middletown this week, providing cookie and ice cream goodies for your furry friends. The colorful, doggy-logo’d truck will be visiting local dog parks and other pet- friendly locations all week. At each stop, the staff gives away doggy treats for pups and healthy treats for their human owners, along with fun items like tennis balls, paw towels and paw-shaped bag clips.  The Middletown stop is now: Stops will also be made in Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Howell, Oceanport and Asbury Park. For a complete schedule of stops and times, click here. Best Friends created its Treat Truck for Dogs to give the community a taste of the fun and caring its staff provides to pet guests …

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Traveling a Thompson Park Bridge Trail

A Holmdel resident shares her appreciation for the natural beauty and new man-made enhancements in Thompson Park, in the Lincroft section of Middletown

Have you been to Thompson Park lately? New timber bridges now run through the county's 667-acre Lincroft park, giving walkers, joggers and cyclists a unique five-mile elevated path to traverse. The looped bridge trail gives naturalists and exercise enthusiasts a view of natural habitats they otherwise wouldn't be able to travel through. Holmdel resident Alicia Baylock, who has been watching the progress of the bridge buidling during her early-morning bike rides, has documented and shared her experiences with Patch.  Above are some excerpts from her photo journal that span from September through the end of March.  Also, scheduled tonight at Thompson Park: Earth Hour Under the Night Sky at the Thompson Park Visitor Center, Newman Springs …

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Taking in Thompson Park Day [VIDEO]

A glimpse the sunny day and fall festivities at the annual Monmouth County Park System event in the Lincroft section of Middletown

It was a crisp, bright day and more than 9,000 people were out to enjoy Thompson Park Day on Sunday. Hosted by the Monmouth County Park System, the all-day annual event on the property of, you guessed it, Thompson Park, in the Lincroft section of Middletown, hosted crafts, bouncy rides, hayrides, a vast array of food vendors and entertainment. A scarecrow contest featured creative entries and an enthusiastic crowd. "Strutting your mutt" was encouraged; and, while there were plenty of mutts milling around, not too many actually did any kind of official strut. They just socialized, barked about it a bit and soaked in the day with their owners. A good time was had by all. To get a glimpse into the haunted and happy happenings of the day, …

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Get Out

Get Out: Strut Your Mutt, Haunted Hayride, Antiques Show

Find out where all the fun is in Monmouth County this weekend.

When & where:  Sunday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Thompson Park in Lincroft Why you should go: Thompson Park Day is an annual fall festival featuring pumpkin painting, a scarecrow contest, wagon rides, kids' races, entertainment and the Strut Your Mutt doggie costume contest. What does it cost:  Free to attend, registration for Strut Your Mutt is $15 When & where:  Saturday, Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. starting in the Wells Fargo parking lot, 72 W. Main Street in Freehold Why you should go: Freehold’s streets will be lines ghosts and goblins as haunters role-play scary Halloween scenes for riders on the haunted hayride. Old-fashioned wagons will run continuously throughout the afternoon. This event will cannot be held in inclement…

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