Adult softball registration deadline is Monday, April 17.

You can find information on our city site at www.ci.austin.mn.us and click on recreation, sports, softball or call our office.

Co-ed 12-week league will play on Tuesday nights starting on May 2. The entry fee is $286 plus an $8 per player fee. Men’s league will play on Wednesdays beginning May 3 with the option of a single or double-header league for 12 weeks. Single entry fee is $286 and double entry is $510. Both also require an $8 per player fee. This fee is paid one time per sport. If someone plays men’s and co-ed they only pay once. This must be noted on the rosters when payment is made. There are no refunds.

Community pride

We will try something new this year for our annual Community Pride Day pick-up of our public green spaces.

Starting April 20 bags and gloves can be picked up at our office, now located in City Hall at 500 Fourth Ave. NE.

We will record where Individuals and groups want to clean up and give us an approximate date. This will give groups a more flexible time frame and weather can also be factored in.

Everyone will have until April 30 to complete their pick-up. We will collect all the bags and dispose of them. This is a much-appreciated opportunity for the community to help pick up our parks and green spaces.

Learn about birds

Stan Tekiela will present “Bird Nests: Amazingly Ingenious and Intricate” program at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, in Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Few creatures craft such brilliant and involved homes as birds do. From holes drilled into trees to intricately woven cups, these magnificent structures are worthy of our admiration. This free program is full of fun details told with Stan’s great sense of humor. Please RSVP by Monday, April 17, by calling 507-437-7519 or info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

Dryland hockey

Dryland hockey training for those ages mites to bantams is coming in April.

Clinic times are from 6 to 7 p.m. for this clinic which starts April 12 and goes to May 17. The cost is $30.

You will need a hockey helmet, hockey gloves and a hockey stick. Sign up at Parks and Rec.

Riverside Figure Skating Club

Riverside Figure Skating Club spring session is underway.

New skaters will have three free lessons from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Session dates are April 2, 23, 30 and May 7. It is never too late to sign up.

You may show up at Riverside Arena on those dates and check their Facebook page for details.

Summer programs

Park and Recreation summer program sign up is underway. Our office is at City Hall, 500 Fourth Ave. NE  and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Brochures were distributed to our local schools and should have come home with your children. You may also find all our information on the city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us.

Summer jobs

Looking for a summer job? We may have something for you.

We are currently taking applications for all summer employment opportunities. You can find the seasonal job application online, print it off and bring it to our office.

Riverside Arena

We will have ice all summer.

Think about renting the arena for a skating party, call our office for details at 507-433-1881. It’s a great place to cool down this summer and still get the benefit of some exercise.

Riverside Figure Skate Club Spring session is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. April 23, 30 and May 7

Adult Open Hockey: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $6 per person each event. Attendees must be 16; goalies are free.

Public skate: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 13, 20 and 27; 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 14 and 21. The cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates. Make sure to like us on Facebook so you receive up to date information.

Stick time: 5 to 6:15 p.m. April 11, 18 and 25; 10:30 a.m. to noon April 15 and 29; and 10:30 to 11:45 p.m. April 22.

Visitors center grand opening

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will hold their grand opening of the new Interpretative building on Earth Day, April 22 with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. The building will be open after 1 p.m. for self-guided tours. We are sure you will enjoy the new exhibit display.