We are very proud to relay that Austin was named a 2015 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 37th year.

Applications are submitted by the end of each year meeting the program’s four criteria. We are notified in March.

We are working toward year 38 with our next Arbor Day observance by planting trees on Friday, April 29 at the Hormel Historic Home in honor of the Hormel family and the 125th Hormel anniversary at 4 p.m. and then we will move to Wescott Athletic Complex to plant three spruce trees.

 Summer programs

It is that time of year to register for Parks and Recreation summer programs. Check out our Summer Brochure located on our website at www.ci.austin.mn.us. If you have school age children they should have brought one home in their book bag and you can pick one up in our office. You will see them in local businesses as well.

Austin Youth Baseball registration is open with forms available at South Central Athlete and our office. The deadline date is April 15 and the fee per player is $30 with a $50 maximum per family. A child is eligible to play if he or she is between the ages of 7 and 15 by June 1.

Adult softball registration is also now open. Deadline to turn in your team entry fee and rosters is Monday, April 18. Co-rec league will play on Tuesday evenings and games begin on May 3. Men’s league will start on Wednesday May 4.

Men’s league will have two options of play this year. They can choose to play in a single or double-header league.

There will be a mandatory meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 for co-ed managers and 6 p.m. for men’s league managers in the Park and Recreation office. If you would like information please call our office at 507-433-1881.

 Riverside Arena

What is Stick Time?

It is designed to allow players to work on skills and have fun with friends, family members or coaches.

Players under age 18 must were full gear, those over 18 must wear a helmet, gloves and skates. There will not be scrimmaging, slap shots and/or horseplay when on the ice.

Scheduled times are: 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday currently through April 21. The cost is $6 per time. Pay at Riverside Arena. Watch for more times to come.

Adult Open Hockey at Riverside Arena will continue through April 20 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 and 20. The cost is $6 per person, you must be at least in High School, no checking, no alcohol and a helmet is required. Goalies are free and must have full gear. April 20 will be the last Wednesday scheduled.

Sign up for 3-on-3 hockey as we are offering another eight weeks starting April 26 and 27. Tuesdays will be the 10U, 12U, squirts and peewees from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday’s the mites will play from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The fee is $45 per person, register at our office.

Mark your calendar for a curling open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at Riverside Arena. Summer league will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 2. Watch for registration information.

 Under the dome

Austin Public School with offer open dome time in April from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday’s April 5, 12, 19 and 26.

 Community pride

Our annual Community Pride Day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 30. This year the VFW will open their club room for us to stage the event. Stop in at 9 a.m. to pick up bags, grab a coffee or hot cocoa and a donut before you go to your spot to pick up.

This will be our 10th year holding this event to pick clean up our parks and green spaces from the garbage that winter leaves behind. Thank you in advance to all the volunteers that come to this event which is held rain or shine, we have always had a great turn out and removed a lot of garbage.

 Working with parks and recreation

Are you looking for a summer job? Fill out an application to assist our park maintenance crew. You must be 18 years old for those positions. Our recreation department will be looking for youth coaches, concessionaires, lifeguards and other pool employees.

 Austin Bruins

The Austin Bruins last regular season games will be on April 8 and April 9 when they will host Aberdeen in Riverside Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the following sponsor locations; Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Jim’s Marketplace and Games People Play or at the Box Office on game day. Visit their website at www.AustinBruins.com for more.