This weekend is your first opportunity to take the proficiency test for the city fall deer hunt at the Cedar River Archery Club located at 54691 270th St, Austin MN 55912.

The fee will be $5 per shooter and will take place from an elevated platform at a distance of 20 yards. You will only have one chance to qualify during the following dates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: May 5-6; June 9-10; July 14-15  Sept 8-9. The Club will be running events on these dates during this this time.

Not a member? You can pay a non-member fee and participate or better yet join the club.  For those of you that did not apply last year and would like more information give our office a call.

Oak wilt

In the latest UMN Extension Yard and Garden Blog please be aware that now is the high-risk period for oak wilt in Minnesota.

This means that you should not prune oaks until November through March. Oak wilt disease can kill a red oak in four weeks where white oaks will decline over several years. The oak wilt fungus in infected trees produces a fruity smelling spore which is spread by sap beetles who transport the spore to a fresh wound of a non-infected tree.  If your oak has a branch that needs to be removed or is broken in a storm, the wound area should be covered immediately with a water-based paint or shellac.

May is Arbor Month — plant a tree!

Making Austin greener

Thank you to all that have helped to pick up our city green spaces.

Our park crew will be getting around to pick up the backs that have been left by trails.  Also, please be aware that as we approach the end of the school year and people are out enjoying parks, playgrounds and bike paths either riding or walking in the nice weather, please be cautious while driving past them. Young children are excited to be outside playing and they don’t always remember to watch for cars, please drive with awareness.

Camps

Austin High School will host a summer volleyball camp June 25-28 in the Packer Gym. You can register at GoldMedalSquared.com. Click on Registration Center and follow the prompts to find the camp located in Austin.  There will be three sessions per day, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with the exception of day 4). The cost is $199 per athlete.

There will be a tennis camp June 11-22 at the Paulson Tennis Courts located at Wescott Field. Camp will be held Monday to Thursday with Fridays as rain days. Grades 5-6 are from 9-10:30 a.m. and grades 7 -12 are from 10:30 a.m. to noon.  The cost is 25 per person, sign up on-line at our site on the City web page.

Captain of the Belle

Ever thought about being a boat captain?

The captains of the SpamTown Belle are looking for some new recruits to help take a couple of weekends out of the summer.  No experience needed as you will be trained by one of the seasoned captains.

You will learn how the boat runs, docking and some history about the boat and East Side Lake.  The schedule usually runs June through August on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. weather permitting.  Captain’s will be paid $15 per hour this year.  Seasonal applications can be printed off our website. If you are interested please fill one out and turn it in to our office.

Summer brochure

Our Summer Program Brochure is out so you can start planning your summer activities.

Online registration is open for you to register for Park and Rec programs and Nature Center Programs.  The link is on our city web page at www.ci.austin.mn.us. If you have questions please call.

Power plant construction

Construction will continue on the redevelopment of the downtown power plant site throughout the summer of 2018 and into the 2019 construction season.

Upcoming work on the site will include completion of the building demolition, flood levee construction and rec center construction. In order to secure the construction site for safety of the public, workers and equipment a portion of the pedestrian trail will be closed during the summer of 2018 from the library to the pedestrian bridge.

To take the alternate route on the sidewalk over the 4th Street bridge and back on the trail north past Packer Arena. We apologize for any inconvenience this may provide, but we feel it is best for the safety of all. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 507-437-9950.

Riverside schedule

Stick Time: 5:30-6:45 p.m., Wednesday.

Ice will be removed starting May 10 for some repairs and will be back in July.