Thank you everyone who supported the Austin Municipal Pool this season.

We are leaving the splash pad gate open from the parking lot starting this next week for the community to use for a few weeks, weather permitting. This area will not be supervised as it is not a body of water and can be treated like a playground.

The splash pad will be on a timer allowing the features to shut off at 8 p.m. each night.

 Softball

Adult fall softball will begin this Tuesday and Wednesday and go for the next six weeks at the North Todd Park Complex. Both nights begin at 6:30 p.m. Stop out and watch some softball and enjoy the fall weather. The concession stand will be open as well.

 Nature center

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Summer Special events in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium schedules include:

•Thursday: Singer-songwriter Tom Pease (9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.)

The nature center rents canoes and kayaks Monday through Saturday for use on Dobbins Creek to East Side Lake or on the pond at the center.

Rentals will run through Sept. 24 on a first-come, first served basis — no reservations. You must be 16 and older to rent the canoes and kayaks. The cost is $10 for up to three hours or purchase a punch card for $25 and receive five rentals for half the cost.

Are you looking for a place to rent this fall for a special occasion?

Check availability of the Ruby Rupner Auditorium by calling the nature center at 507-437-7519. The rental fee is $41 per hour between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. with a $100 deposit. There is a sound system available for a $25 additional fee. There is no smoking or alcohol permitted in the Nature Center. The log cabin is also available for your use with the auditorium rental.

 Youth baseball tryouts

Save the date, Aug 27-28 for tryouts for the summer 2017 season of All Star Baseball at Todd Park. Check out www.austinallstarsbaseball.com website for more information and to print your permission slip to bring along to registration on the 27th.

 Izaak Walton Cabin

Are you looking for a location to host a family event?

The Izaak Walton Cabin is open year-round. We have updated the serving and clean up area this year as well. The cabin is also available Monday to Thursday for meetings at $20 per hour and a $150 deposit. The week-end rate is $170 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a $300 deposit. This is a great venue for family gatherings.

 Citizen Academy

The Austin Police Department will host the 2016 Citizen Academy 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday’s starting Sept. 13 and going for six weeks. Participants must be an Austin resident or business owner age 21 or older. Fill out your application early as the class size is limited. They are available at the LEC or online at www.ci.austin.mn.us.

 Fall, winter programs

Watch for information on our youth fall and winter programs. In September our 3-on-3 hockey league and the learn to play hockey will start up at Riverside Arena. We will offer a parent and child volleyball camp for those in grades second to fourth.

Our youth basketball starts in October for those in grades kindergarten through sixth grade and wrestling starts in November for those pre kindergarten to sixth grade.

January you can look for a youth baseball dome league for those age 7 to 12, youth archery league ages 9 to 18 and the Austin Area Volleyball Club for U12, U14 and U16.

 Viewing the stars

The next viewing at the Sola Fide Observatory will be held at 9 p.m. on Aug. 27.

The Sola Fide Observatory is open to the public on specified Saturdays throughout the year. On these select evenings, Keith Snyder and other volunteers staff the observatory to assist the public in viewing the heavenly bodies.

Are the stars your passion and interested in being a volunteer? Contact Keith Snyder at 507-440-1244 or the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center at 507-437-7519.