The next Gene Roden Memorial Track Meet will be held on Tuesday for participants age 3 and up at the Wescott Stadium track. This is a free event that begins at 6:15 p.m. for field events and 6:30 p.m. for running events.

This is a great family event so bring the family and enjoy.

Nature center

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

•Thursday: Roger Hellesvig as Ole Oleson, 9:30 a.m. senior special and 1 p.m.

•Aug. 6: Pat and Donna Surface with the Boundary Water Boys and Marina Whight, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 7 p.m. During this event freewill donation will be accepted for Alzheimer’s research.

•Aug. 25: Singer-songwriter Tom Pease, 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Thursday Nature Play program theme on Friday will be “See What’s Blooming in the Midsummer prairie with Nature Center Staff”

Nature play afternoons are from 1 to 4 p.m. to get you outside to discover nature with your child. Activities include free canoe and kayak rental, pond scooping for aquatic critters, netting dragonflies and butterflies, self-guided nature trail activities and more. We do ask that you please call and reserve a spot, free of charge at 507-437-7519.

Did You Know: That park use continues throughout the life cycle. Recreation participation may decline with age, but park use does not. A study conducted by Ross C. Brownson, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, people between the ages of 65 and 74 use local parks more frequently than any other age group from those 15 and older. Austin has 28 parks including the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for everyone to get out and enjoy some fresh air. The prairie is beautiful this time of year.

Austin municipal pool

The swim meet continues today at the Austin Municipal Pool.

We will have the tot pool and splash pad open from 1 to 5 p.m. free of charge, enter from the gate on the north side of the splash pad.

Our regular open swim hours are from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening; 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The adult lap swim will be held 12 to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Our season membership is $30 per person, ages 2 and under are free. The daily admission is $3 in the afternoon and $2 for the three evening swims.

A reminder to following the signage regarding the lockers that are now available on the pool deck for your convenience. We no longer staff the locker room with an attendant. There are lockers with locks, free of charge. We also have lockers that you can use with your own lock, free of charge.

National Night Out

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Aug. 2, for the Austin Police Department’s National Night Out. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. with a K-9 demo at 6 p.m. in Bandshell Park on South Main Street. They will also be serving up free hot dogs, chips and a beverage. Vehicles will also be on display for kids to tour.