Please be safe when using our Parks.

The posted rules include: Parks are closed from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

There is no camping, no driving or parking on the grass, no glass, and no hitting golf balls allowed in the parks. The speed limit is 15 miles per hour.

For your safety and the safety of others, please follow these rules.   The city of Austin also has a policy prohibiting the use of tobacco in all city facilities and at any playground/park location. Please be considerate to others and abide by this policy.

Summer programming

Have you signed your kids up yet for the summer programs or swimming lessons we offer? What about the nature center programs?

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center still has openings in their summer adventure classes as well as several others.  We continue to take registration for many of our classes as we will add teams or change some of our swim lessons as needed.  Call the nature center at 1-507-437-7519 or check their website at www.hormelnaturecenter.org or class updates.

Nature center

The nature center rents canoes and kayaks for use on Dobbins Creek to East Side Lake or on our pond. 2017 rentals are available Monday-Saturday (no rentals on Sundays or City of Austin holidays), starting on June 3 through Sept. 23.

Rentals are first-come, first-served. No reservations. Patrons who are 16 and older may rent canoes and kayaks (children must be accompanied by an adult). Single kayaks can be used by children who are in first grade and older.

We have six single and two tandem kayaks. (Life jackets and paddles are provided.) Patrons are responsible for transport of the canoe or   kayak to and from the pond or Dobbins Creek. Canoe/kayak rollers are available.

A signed liability waiver must be on file at the nature center-children 17 and under must have waiver signed by an adult.  Individual canoe or kayak rentals are $10 for up to three hours or purchase a punch card for $25 and receive five canoe or kayak rentals for half the fee. Check or cash only. Punch cards are available in $25 increments only. We are not responsible for lost or stolen cards.

Nature Play Afternoons are on six select Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Our first one will be June 15 with photographer John Duren who will take you through his winter travels at Yellowstone National Park and explain the story behind the photographs.  This program is a great opportunity to get outside and discover nature with your child. Enjoy free canoe or kayak rentals, pond scooping for aquatic critters, nature programs, archery, netting dragonflies and butterflies, crayfish hunting, survival games, and/or self-guided nature trail activities.

Canoe and kayak availability is first-come, first-served, for an adult (18 and over) with a child (adults must accompany children). Please call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org for more information, or visit the website: www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Arena schedule:  We will have summer ice. Think about renting the arena for a skating party, call our office for details. 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:  Summer session is 5 to 7:30 p.m. on June 13 and 5 to 6:30 p.m.  on June 14. Check their Facebook page for information.

Adult Open Hockey: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.  Cost is $6 per person for each event. Must be 16 . Goalies are free.

Public skate: 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. May 28 and 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. May 30. The cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates.

Cool down and burn some calories on your lunch hour.  Starting June 5. you can skate from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $2 with  a $1 skate rental. Watch for Friday nights during the summer.

Stick time: Tuesdays in May from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Newly added: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on May 28.

Free goalie clinic:  4:30 to 6 p.m. May 28; 1 to 2 p.m. June 4 and 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 11 and 5 to 6 p.m. on June 18. More dates to come.