New Ulm NU-You Weight Loss Challenge 2020 – Start the New Year with a NU-You! This 60-day weight loss challenge provides you with the resources needed to meet and surpass all types of fitness goals. The program starts January 13 and ends March 16. Register now online or at the Rec Center.

Tot Swim is held the first and third Fridays of the month; the next one will be held Dec. 20. This is an opportunity to Swim and play with your tot in the shallow part of the pool. Toys are provided and tot slide will be open. Whirlpool is closed during this time. Admission is $2.75/tot.

Lifeguard Training will be offered over Christmas break; Sunday Dec. 22 from 1-4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 26 from 1-4 p.m. Participants must be at least 15 years old and be able to perform a pretest of swimming 6 laps (300 yards), tread water for 2 minutes with no hands, retrieve a 10 pound brick from 7-10 feet of water and swim 20 yards back to the side of the pool, get out of the pool without using a ladder or stairs within 1 minute and 40 seconds in order to proceed with the class. This is a blended learning class which requires 5 to 7 hours of online work to be completed before the start of class. Register online or at the Rec Center by Dec. 20.

Winter/Spring Activities Brochure will be distributed in the New Ulm Journal Dec. 28 and Shopper Dec. 31. Registration begins Jan. 6 at 10 a.m.

PreK Open Gym Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. Run, chase and burn off energy! Play with balls, scooters, hula hoops, parachutes and more! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Open Pickleball at Rec Center Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 1-2:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10-11:30 a.m. Memberships, Punch cards, cards or Daily Admission apply.

Open Co-Rec Broomball at the Civic Center runs each Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. Regular admission, punch card or membership fees apply.

Thank you Sponsors and New Ulm Steel for last weekend’s Day of Play and Skate with Santa! This was a fun FREE event in which items and cash was raised for our local food shelf.

German Park Amphitheater is in great need of improvement! Over $1.2m is needed. Much of this has already been raised or pledged by donors and the City of New Ulm. Fundraising for this project continues. You can help transform it into the area’s premier Outdoor Performing Arts Center venue. Any size of donation is accepted and greatly appreciated. This project is a perfect way to memorialize your loved one or honor a friend, family, business or any of life’s celebrations. Donations should be made payable to City of New Ulm Amphitheater and mailed to the Park and Rec. Dept., 122 S. Garden Street, New Ulm. Please direct questions to Tom Schmitz, Director at 233-2121, ext. 202 or toms@newulmmn.gov

Riverside Environmental Learning Center located in Riverside Park is open Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. or by appointment (Please call Ron at 507-766-5770.)

Holiday/Gift Giving Ideas – Looking for the perfect gift for that “hard to buy for” person? Why not give them the gift of healthy activity! We have gift certificates available in any denomination that can be used toward admissions, memberships, punch cards and Park and Rec. activities (swimming lessons, recreational athletics, crafts, etc.) Inquire at the Recreation Center! OR Purchase one or more memorial paver stone(s) with inscription(s). They can be placed in the walkway near Hermann Monument for $200 each and in German Park for $100 each. Contact www.hermannmonument.com or the Friends of German Park at 233-2423. Memorial park or trail benches range in price from $1,500 to $2,000 each, German Park Amphitheater Replacement Project…. Contact the Park & Rec Office at 359-8344.

Email List – review what Park and Recreation Commissioners are discussing by subscribing to the meetings through E-Updates. To subscribe, simply go to https://cityofnewulm.civicweb.net/Portal/Subscribe.aspx and check the box next to Park and Recreation Commission, enter email and complete verification code. The next time an update is made, you will receive a notification directly to your email’s inbox.

Information on Fees & Hours of Facility Operation: Visit us on the web at: www.newulmmn.gov Email parkandrec@newulmmn.gov or cherylk@newulmmn.gov or call 359-8347. Rec Center, 122 South Garden St., hours: Monday-Friday 5 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. There will be new open swim hours starting Jan. 1. Stay tuned for more information. Civic Center is located at 1212 N Franklin St. Community Center is located at 600 N German St.