Vision 2020 Austin Community Recreation Center Committee challenges you to do jumping jacks for one minute at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday May 30.

Join us in the Municipal Pool parking lot for the fundraising finale press conference to announce the fundraising grand total.  If you can’t get away, step outside and join the community by participating in the Jumping Jack Celebration.  Take a video or photos and share to the Vision 2020’s Facebook page for a chance to win prizes including a membership to the new facility!  #POWERINGHEALTHYLIVING

Festival of fun

Mark your calendar to attend the 4th Avenue Fest in Horace Austin Park from 5-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 13.  The Austin Community Band will utilize the city portable stage from the pool parking lot.

Please bring your lawn chairs or blankets as the stage will face the park.  MacPhail Percussion will be will begin in the park at 5:15 p.m. along with some other fun things to do.  The evening swim at the pool from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will be free for all to join in.  The finale begins at 7:30 p.m. with La Victoria (Mariachi) performing free at the Paramount Theatre, go in and enjoy the show!

Keep your lawn neat

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. 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.

Swimming pool

Opens at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 11. You can get you pool membership online at the link above. The fee is $40 per person.   

Daily fees are $4 per person for the afternoon session and $2 for our evening sessions.  The first session of swim lessons begins on June 18 and you can sign up online.

We also have aqua Zumba and deep-water fitness classes available beginning June 11, check out the classes in our summer brochure and sign up online. You do not need a pool membership to join a fitness class. Your pool membership will allow you to swim during adult lap swim from noon to 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Program sign-up

Online registration is open for you to register for Park and Rec programs and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Programs.

You can find our Summer Program Brochure on our web site for your summer planning, recreation programs begin the week of June 11.  The link is on our city web page at www.ci.austin.mn.us. Click on City Departments; then on online registration or  cityofapr.maxgalaxy.net .   

From there click on the registration tab, click on youth and the programs will be listed. If you have not created your account when you click on the register tab it will ask you to log in or create an account.  Questions — please call.

Raffle tickets available

Freedom Fest fireworks raffles are now available with many great prizes and coupons.  Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber or any Ambassador and are $10.  We have some in the Park and Recreation office as well.