| Recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons in and around Austin. Spend a warm summer day with your family, enjoying any one of our 27 community parks. Take a walk or ride a bike along miles of paved trails. Or simply relax alongside the water’s edge beside the Cedar River, East Side Lake, the Mill Pond or either of the two streams that meander through our community. Three challenging 18-hole golf courses await the avid or the occasional golfer. The beautiful Austin Country Club also maintains four tennis courts, a swimming pool and a large golf practices facility. Ramsey Golf Club and Meadow Greens Golf Club both offer competitive public courses and full clubhouse facilities.  The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is a yearround haven for outdoor enthusiasts, encompassing 279 acres along Austin’s northeast side. The preserve features restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. The land is alive with native plants, flowers and wildlife, including deer, turkeys, songbirds and more. Nine miles of hiking paths lead the way to a cross country skier’s paradise during winter months. The center also offers natural exhibits in its Interpretive Building, and a variety of educational programs throughout the year. The 150-person capacity Rudy Rupner Auditorium is available for both private and public gatherings. Nature center staff also oversees the Sola-Fide Observatory, providing the public with a close up look at the stars through a 10-inch refractor telescope. Austin boasts a rich sports tradition, and is host to many local, state and national softball tournaments. Spacious Todd Park features nine softball fields, a Frisbee golf course and numerous picnic areas.  Marcusen Park is home to the Austin High School baseball team and a frequent site for tournament play. The city further enhanced baseball facilities with the recent completion of a four-diamond complex at Riverland Community College. Horace Austin Park is the center of family fun during summer months. The area features a picturesque walking path around the Mill Pond, a volleyball court and an aquatic center with a large pool, separate diving pit, slide and huge kiddy area. Winter brings a change of weather and recreational opportunities. Austin is home to five city maintained skating rinks, and two indoor ice arenas, the new Packer Arena and the multi-purpose Riverside Arena. Skinner’s Hill is a longtime favorite for sledding fun. Year-round activities are always present at the Austin Family YMCA, where everybody gets to play. The facility includes a swimming pool, four racquetball courts, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, running track, fitness center and day care. An array of youth and adult activities are always available at the “Y,” as well as youth soccer, football, basketball, hockey, baseball and softball leagues. Austin’s newly renovated Wescott Field is a magnificent high school athletic complex. The recently refurbished football stadium, originally built in the 1930s, is home to the Austin Packers. This 20-acre sports mecca also features a state-of-the-art track and field facility, soccer stadium, practice fields and eight tennis courts. Summer or winter, outdoors or indoors, Austin is truly Someplace Special for sports enthusiasts of all ages. |
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