The Recreation Center is open with limited hours and for fitness only. The fieldhouse and track will be open, but no basketball, racquetball or use of the indoor pool or locker rooms will be allowed. All fitness equipment has been relocated to the Vogel Fieldhouse & spread out to maintain physical distance. At this time, we are only allowing individuals with memberships to enter the facility and you must be at least 15 to enter. Memberships can be purchased the day of by check or credit card and you may purchase multiple months up front, if so desired. Anyone entering will be asked to perform a self-health screen that is posted on the door. You are asked to stay home and/or not enter if you answer yes to any of those questions. Customers must also sanitize their hands immediately upon entrance into facility, wipe any and all equipment used before and after each use with provided sanitation wipe(s). Members are greatly encouraged to wear face masks in the building, except during active exercise. New hours are Monday, through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 7-11 a.m. We are closed Sundays. Follow us on our Facebook Page for the latest information.

The Community Center remains closed to the general public. If you would like to schedule private rentals, please call 359-8340.

Big Tree Contest – Find the largest Ohio Buckeye tree in the city limits of New Ulm and win up to $200 toward a tree to plant anywhere in the city limits of New Ulm, including your own yard! Complete and return an entry form and submit to the Park and Rec Dept (office located in the Rec Center) by 3 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2020. Your tree will be measured by members of the New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission. Final determination of winning tree will be made by the Commission. Entry forms can be downloaded at newulmmn.gov

Park Playgrounds and Restrooms are open! Please use at your own risk, as they are not cleaned or sanitized. Restrooms are cleaned and sanitized once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Portable restrooms are sanitized daily; users are encouraged to carry their own sanitizer and supplies for personal use. Physical distancing is required and no more than 10 people allowed at a time per playground. Please follow CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Dog, BMX and Skate Parks are open. Please use at your own risk; parks and amenities are not sanitized. Physical distancing is required. No more than 10 people allowed at a time. Follow CDC guidelines.

Wading Pools are being prepared to open at limited capacity! Staff is preparing the mechanicals, filling and chemically balancing the water. An opening day will be announced soon.

Civic Center ice removed until August; no open skate or hockey offered until late summer/early fall.

Monday night Community Concerts are canceled for the month of June.

Summer Recreation Programs are canceled until at least July 13. In the meantime, please follow us on Facebook for ongoing Virtual programs and resources (New Ulm Park and Recreation).

Leash Law – A friendly reminder that pets are required by law to be on a leash at all times in city limits, except on private property and inside the Dog Park. Also, owners are responsible for picking up waste.

Meals on Wheels and Senior Citizens Center takeout meals are still operating. Please call 359-2243 for meals delivery or to call and reserve a meal for pick up/take out.

German Park Amphitheater construction has begun and will be completed this year. The project cost is over $1,200,000 and $933,723 has been raised. Past donors, thank you for generously supporting this project! Fundraising continues. The next $100,000 in donations will be matched by a private donor, in honor of Janet and Terry Dempsey. Any size donation is greatly appreciated. Checks should be made to City of New Ulm Amphitheater and mailed to Park and Rec. Dept., 122 S. Garden Street, New Ulm MN 56073. For credit card donations please call 507-359-8340. For questions call Tom Schmitz at 233-2121 ext. 202 or toms@newulmmn.gov

Another noxious weed gone rogue. It’s called Dames Rocket; a phlox like flower that has escaped from gardens and seems to be following an explosive growth pattern, similar to noxious garlic mustard. It has abundant seeds that are spread by animals or people. It crowds out native plants and produces toxins to kill them. Pull dames rocket out by the roots, and NEVER put them with compost. Place in regular garbage or garbage bag marked “Invasive Species” and bring to a DNR approved landfill. You may also put it under a heavy plastic tarp for a long time. Do not place clumps of dames rocket loose on the ground or it will start to spout new plants from under the clump.

Hermann Heights Park construction continues. M. R. Paving & Excavating Inc., continues to work on the retaining wall, entrance road and parking lots. Autumn completion is expected. The entire park, including Hermann Monument, the playground and shelters are closed for the summer. Please stay out of the park.

Memorial/Gift Giving Ideas – purchase one or more paver stone(s) with your inscription(s), in the walkways near Hermann Monument and/or German Park for $200 each, contact the Park & Rec office at 359-8344. Park or trail benches range in price from $1,500 to $3,500 each, call 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 359-8344. Rec Center, 122 South Garden St.

We will continue to communicate with the Public via Facebook, The Journal and KNUJ