Arbor Day was April 29 and we had great weather to plant the six planned trees.

Thank you to Spruce Up Austin for heading up this project. Three trees were planted at the Historic Hormel Home in honor of the George Hormel family and the 125th anniversary. Some of the group assisted the HHH staff in mulching their gardens while others headed over to Wescott Field and planted three spruce trees to brighten up the Northeast corner. Remember that the month of May is Arbor Month. Did you know that trees decrease mental stress? Plant one for your health.

Registration is open for our Thursday night adult co-rec kickball league with deadline on Friday, May 27.

You can turn your roster, player and entry fees in anytime until then to your office. Team entry fee is $120 plus a player fee of $8. Roster limit is 20. Games will start June 9 and play eight weeks.

 Cycling Team

The Austin Area High School Cycling Team will hold an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23 in the large conference room at the Austin Public Library. This is a co-ed school team for grades 7 to 12 which race mountain bikes against other high schools. Go to www.minnesotamtb.org for more info or if you have questions you may call Gareth Hataye, team director at 507-219-1886 or Tracy Brown, head coach at 678-613-8044.

 Hockey camp

Summer will be here before we know it so make sure you are signed up for any of the area camps. Austin Bruins Youth Hockey School will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13 to 17 and is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 14. Contact Keenan Kelly at keenan@austinbruins.com or call 1-208-761-6849 to get signed up. Cost is $150 and includes lunch.

Municipal swimming pool, summer program sign-ups

Registration for Park and Recreation Summer programs, swim lessons and municipal pool memberships have begun. Check out our summer brochure located on our city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us.

If you have school age children they should have brought one home in their book bag, you can pick one up in our office and you will see them in local businesses as well.

 Riverside Arena

Punch cards are now available at our office for Stick Time. Pick one up at our office for $25 for five times and save $5.

May dates include from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19 and 26 and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday May 22. Dates are also posted on the website and our Facebook page. The cost is $6 per person at Riverside Arena or purchase that punch card from our office

Adult Open Hockey will be from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 and 26. 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.

We will look at attendance through this month before we schedule June dates. Like us on Facebook to get up-to-date information.

Public skate at Riverside Arena is 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Sundays May 15 and 22 and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, May 21.

The cost is $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates. The arenas are also available to rent for private parties at $130 per hour. Call for availability.

 Lawn care

We all enjoy spring and the warm weather that comes with it.

It is this time of year that everyone can get behind with mowing as spring rains do not always work with our schedules.

Keep in mind that the City of Austin does have a long grass and weed ordinance in place. You can find the ordinance in its entirety on the City web site; city code section 10.13.

The following is the first statement of the ordinance: It is unlawful for any owner, occupant or agent of any lot or parcel of land in the city to allow any noxious weeds as defined in Minnesota Statutes Sections 18.77 and 21.72 or grass growing upon any such lot or parcel of land to grow to a greater height than 8 inches.

 Summer job

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 and lifeguards.