With the recent flood event, please be aware that several of our low lying park areas will be covered with debris as the water recedes.

Crews will begin the clean-up process in the parks and public spaces including sand replacement under play equipment as the areas dry out and the ground firms up enough to hold heavy equipment.

Our tree crew has been busy removing fallen trees and limbs from public spaces and boulevards due to the high winds that also occurred during the storm event.

Thank you for being patient through this process.

Please continue to help us by reporting things that may be a danger especially hanging limbs in public and boulevard trees.

Riverside Arena

The Austin Riverside Figure Skating Club will offer three free lessons to learn to skate from 1 to 1:30 p.m. starting this Sunday. Feel free to stop in and check it out. You can bring your own skates or use a pair at the arena.

Learn to skate is for new skaters only.  The fall session runs Sept. 25 to Nov. 13. Winter session follows from Nov. 20 to Jan. 22 and show session “Blades on Broadway” runs Jan. 29 to March 5. Show dates are March 4 and 5.

Round up the family and head down to Riverside arena for public skates or get on the ice for some stick time. Adult hockey also started last Wednesday. Cost is $6 per person for each event. Goalies are free.

Public skate times: 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays (Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11); 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 24, Oct. 8) and 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Oct. 1. Cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates.

Stick time times: 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays (Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3); 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays (Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4 and 11); 2:45 to 4 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 24)  and 3 to 4:15 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 1).

The cost is $6 per person each event. Purchase a $25 punch card for five times and save $5. Stick time is designed to work on skills and have fun with friends, family members or coaches.

Players under the age of 18 must wear full gear, those over 18 must wear a helmet, gloves and skates. There will not be any scrimmaging, slap shots and/or horseplay when on the ice.

Halloween Warm-up

Don’t forget to get your tickets for Halloween Warm-Up hosted at our very own Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Tickets can be purchased at Super Fresh Produce Bakery and Garden Center.

This year’s Halloween Warm-Up takes place on Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15. The first hike is at 6:50 p.m. and the last hike is at 9:10 p.m. The cost is $6 per person which includes a cookie and apple cider.

2016  is the event’s 33rd year for the partnership with the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and Matchbox Children’s Theatre.

This is an event you should not miss.

Volleyball

Boys in grades fourth to 12th grade can learn the game of volleyball from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays from starting Oct. 2 and going to Dec. 18 in Hastings Gym located in Austin High School. Drop in or if you have questions please call Aleta Myers at 507-438-4318.

Youth basketball

Park and Recreation will offer youth basketball for those students Kindergarten through sixth grade beginning Oct. 25.

This program is not a traveling program and is geared toward those that would like to learn and try the game.

They will learn and practice skills with games being introduced throughout the course of the program.  They will play at Banfield Elementary school in the wood gym on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Kindergarten and first grade go from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; second and third grade, 6:20 to 7:05 p.m. and fourth to sixth grade from 7:10 to 7:55 p.m.

The cost is $20 and you must register by Oct.14.

Police auction

Watch for information and items for sale on the 2016 fall auction hosted by the Austin Police Department. The auction will take place in the Packer Arena parking lot starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 29.

Austin Bruins

Austin Bruin’s first home games will be against Bismarck, North Dakota, Oct.14 and 15. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena.