By Kevin D. Nelson

Austin Parks and Recreation

There are some upcoming events at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center which still have some space for registrations as of the time of the writing of this article,  including:

Honey Harvest Open House

1-4 p.m., today: This event provides those who attend the opportunity to witness the unique process of the honey harvest from the Nature Center’s own beehives. No pre-registration is necessary.

Monarch Tagging Session (ages 10-12)

Session 2: 1:30-4 p.m., Tuesday

Session 3: 1:30-4 p.m., Wednesday

Help with research and learn to catch, tag, record and release monarchs before they begin their 2,000-mile migration. Space is limited to 12 children in each section.

Please contact the Nature Center regarding all of the above events to RSVP. Please call 507-437-7519, or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org for more information, or visit the website: www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Arena public skate times:

• 2:30-3:45 p.m., Sunday
• Noon-1:30 p.m., Tuesday

Stick-time dates:

• 1-2:15 p.m., Sunday
• Noon-1:30 p.m., Monday

We add times as different opportunities arise, so check our Facebook page for updates.

Splash pad

The splash pad will remain open and free to the public, weather permitting, through Labor Day.

Enter via the gate facing the north parking lot. See you again next summer.

Deer hunt

For those interested in the 2019 City Deer Hunt, you must pass your proficiency test and also complete the NBEF/Advanced Bowhunter Education program hosted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which you can find online.

The proficiency test is available at Cedar River Archery Range, 54691 270th St, Austin, MN 55912. The fee will be $5 per shooter and will take place from an elevated platform at a distance of 20 yards.

Participants will only have one chance (flight of six arrows) to qualify. The two available dates are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 24-25, so stop out one of these two dates to qualify.

Qualification requires placing all six arrows within the six-inch circle on the target. Our city application process will be sent out to those who qualify in late August and must be returned, along with the $20 application fee, by Sept. 13 to the Parks and Rec Office at 500 Fourth Ave. NE.

Did You Know?

The average volleyball player jumps 300 times during a match (source: Parks and Recreation [NRPA] – May 2011).

Tree fun fact

One of the favorite foods of a Japanese beetle is the leaves of a Linden tree. Voracious Japanese beetles can and will defoliate an entire Linden tree. Often times the skeletal remains of the leaves are left beneath the trees, while other times they are left hanging from the trees. Either way, this typically isn’t terminal to Linden trees, as they have secondary buds which will leaf out at a later time.

Wolf Creek

The press release will be out by the time this is printed, but it is great news for avid anglers that trout will be introduced to Wolf Creek annually beginning in the spring of next year.