Arbor Day is fast approaching.

Spruce Up Austin will be donating and planting two trees on Friday, April 28. The first tree will be planted at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center at 4:45 p.m. The group will then plant the second tree at the new Austin Utilities location.

Mayor Tom Stiehm announced the Arbor Day Proclamation at the March 20 council meeting.  If anyone is planting a tree on Arbor Day or the month of May please send us a picture or share it on our Facebook page.

Community pride

There is still room and time to get your group or yourself to sign up for a green space for the annual Community Pride Clean Up.

Stop in to our office to pick up bags and gloves, now located in City Hall at 500 4th Avenue NE.  We will record where individuals and groups want to clean up. Give us an approximate date between now and April 30.  This will give groups a more flexible time frame and weather can also be factored in. We will collect all the bags and dispose of them. A big thank you to all the volunteers that help with this community event, it is much appreciated.

Nature center interpretive building

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center held their grand opening of the new interpretative building yesterday.  We are sure you will enjoy the new exhibit display.

Riverside Figure Skating Club

Riverside Figure Skating Club spring session has three dates left.

There is a time change on April 23 for any new skaters. There will be three free lessons from 3 to 4 p.m.  The dates following are 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 30 and May 7 for new skaters. 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.

You may also find all our information on the city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us.

Kickball

Adults looking to play co-rec kickball must register your teams by 5 p.m. Friday. Adult sand volleyball team registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5. For more information please call our office at 1-507-433-1881.

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.

Make sure to like us on Facebook so you receive up to date information.

Riverside Figure Skate Club spring session are 3 to 5:30 p.m. on April 23 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. on 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 27 and 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.  The cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates.

Stick time: 5 to 6:15 p.m. April 25, 27 and 10:30 a.m. to noon April 29.

Lawncare

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 website; 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. The following areas and types of vegetation are exempted from this provision if managed in a manner so as not to become infested with weeds or to create a stagnant, foul-smelling condition.