Are you planning a family gathering, special event or maybe have a graduation this spring?

Hosting a get together in one of our city parks can make for a fun day.  You are able to rent a park pavilions to fit the size of your event. The smaller gazebo or pavilions rent for $50 and are located at the following parks: East Side Lake Gazebo, Horace Austin Gazebo, Lafayette Park Pavilion, Lion’s Park East and West Pavilion and Todd Park No. 3 South Pavilion.

There are two larger pavilions’ in Todd Park No. 1 NW Large Pavilion and No. 2 NE Large Pavilion rent for $80. The Veterans Pavilion is located in Bandshell Community Park and rents for $150 and requires a $100 deposit. The Veterans Pavilion is a very popular larger venue and dates fill up fast. All gazebo’s or pavilions fall under park rules which means that your event needs to be done at 10:30 p.m. Parks open for the season around April 15 and close no later than Oct. 15 depending on weather. Call our office for availability at 507-433-1881.

Did you know that you can rent Izaak Walton Cabin year-round? There have been many renovations to the building in the past two years. The cabin is available Monday – Thursday for meetings at $25 per hour and a $150 deposit. The weekend rate is $200 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and requires a $300 deposit. This is a great venue for family gatherings.

With the Sunday forecast for snow, watch for information regarding cross country ski and snowshoe rentals at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. When we have a measurable snow fall they will begin their free Thursday afternoon ski and snowshoe rentals from 3-6 p.m.

To check on ski conditions you can go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org, click on programs, ski rental and click the skinnyski page. You are not required to have a Minnesota Ski Pass to ski within the Nature Center.

Warming houses

Open warming house hours are as follows:

Kaufman Park: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Galloway and Skinners Hill: 6-9 p.m. on Friday; 1-5 and 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Patrons are allowed to use the skating rinks when warming houses are not open.

There may be times that the warming house is not open as we are still filling spots. There are also times that an operator may be coming from another schedule so it may not open until 6:30 p.m.

Online

We would like to invite you to set up your online account. This will allow you to register for Parks and Recreation and Nature Center programs.  Currently you can sign up for the youth volleyball camp and archery.  You will also be able to request facility rentals for your private events.

The link will be at www.ci.austin.mn.us. and click on City Departments. Click on online registration. From there click on the Registration tab, youth and the programs will be listed.

If you have not created you account when you click on the register tab it will ask you to log in or create an account. Please call with any questions.

Camps and leagues

Open gym continues on Wednesday evenings at Ellis Middle School starting on Jan. 3.

Pickleball nets will be in the auxiliary gym, 6:30-8 p.m. The cost is $2 per person at the door.

Dome

The Austin High School Dome will be offering some open times on the following dates:  Feb 6 and 20, March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17.

The cost is $2 per child and $5 per adult. During these same dates they will offer the use of the golf nets at $5 per player.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Figure Skate Club: Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

Austin hockey: Saturday girls varsity, 10:30 a.m. and boys varsity, 1 p.m. both hosting Faribault; Boys versus Red Wing, 5:30 p.m. junior varsity, 7 p.m. varsity, Tuesday; girls varsity, 7 p.m. Thursday versus Rochester Mayo.

Austin Bruins 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday [Boy Scout Night], versus Bismarck; 2 p.m. Sunday [Family Night],  versus the Minnesota Magicians.

Packer Arena

Public skate: 4:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday; 2:45-5 p.m,