By Kevin D. Nelson
Austin Parks and Recreation

The pink flags are still flying to remind us all of the exciting local Paint the Town Pink fundraiser events that remain.

The upcoming larger events are the Paint the Rink Pink Bruins game tonight at Riverside Arena and the Smashin’ Cancer Demo Derby on Sunday at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Tickets for the hockey game may be in limited supply by game time.

Nature center

What’s next at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center? “Bird Watching/Banding” with Austin Audubon will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 15. Then, the “Paul LeDuc Endangered Animals Art Show” follows next weekend on both Feb. 22-23. As always, check the Nature Center website for upcoming events at www.hormelnaturecenter.org/programs-events.

Looking to summer

Our summer recreation brochure is entering its final stages of development. The publication should be ready in early March, so watch for it after that time in schools and local businesses as well as at the Park and Rec office. Online registration will begin April 1 for programs offered through both Park and Rec and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.     

Park and Recreation is accepting applications for many summer/part-time jobs for ages high school and up. Are you retired and looking for something to get you outside? We may have something for you. We have job openings in park maintenance, municipal pool management, lifeguarding, and recreation. Wages have increased since last year for the majority of these seasonal positions. Check the city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us for the related employment opportunities.

Packer Arena Stick Time

• 4:30-5:45 p.m., Feb. 14

Packer Arena public skate

• 6-8 p.m., Friday
• 1-3 p.m., Feb. 15
• 5:15-7:15, Feb. 21

Outdoor rinks

Ice conditions at the outdoor rinks are reportedly poor following all of the recent freeze-and-thaw days we’ve experienced. The parks maintenance crew will continue to maintain them in an effort to stretch their use as weather permits.

Snow conditions at the sledding hill are reportedly pretty good, but icy. The predicted additional snow over the weekend should add to the snow base and presumably will improve the conditions.