Registration is open for Recreation Programs. Please register online or call the Rec Center at 507-359-8344 or 507-359-8347. We are offering various young child swimming lessons at our wading pools, soccer, t-ball, sports and games camps, sand volleyball and a variety of virtual programs. Please follow us on Facebook (New Ulm Park and Recreation).

WE ARE OPEN! Anyone entering our facilities will be asked to perform a self-health screen posted on or near entrances. Please do not enter if you answer yes to any of those questions. Users must sanitize their hands immediately upon entrance. Please follow CDC guidelines (and maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet and note that some play areas are not staffed or disinfected. Use at your own risk.

Splash Pad at North Park open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with limited capacity.

Washington and Lincoln Park Wading Pools are open daily 1-6 p.m. with limited capacity. At the top of every hour, we will allow 25 people (kids and adults) in the gate to swim for 50 minutes. At that time, we will clear the pool, wipe commonly touched surfaces and reopen at the top of the next hour. If you would like to swim longer, you may wait in line to be re-admitted. Wading pools open to those 8 and under and must be accompanied with an adult of at least 18 years old. Wading pools will remain closed if temps do not reach at least 72 degrees by 2 p.m. During this time of limited capacity, we are asking groups of no more than 5 (4 children and 1 adult) come to the pool per time. If you have a larger group and would like to rent the pool for a private swim, we are offering this for $64 per hour.

The Recreation Center is open for walking the track, fitness equipment and fitness classes only; no basketball, racquetball through July 3. There is no pool or locker room use until the Rec Center project is completed. Please maintain physical distance. Only individuals 15 years and up with memberships are allowed to enter the facility. Memberships can be purchased the day of by check or credit card and you may purchase multiple months up front, if so desired. Customers must also sanitize their hands upon entrance and wipe any and all equipment used before and after each use with provided sanitation wipe(s). Hours are Monday, through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 7 to 11 a.m. and closed Sundays. Follow us on our Facebook Page for the latest information. We are in the process of planning open gym, racquetball and pickleball times starting July 6. Due to tracing efforts, you must have a membership or punchcard to use the Rec Center.

Park Playgrounds, Restrooms, Dog, BMX and Skate Parks 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.

The Community & Civic Centers are closed to the general public. Open Skate/hockey will resume sometime in July. If you would like to schedule private rentals, please call 359-8340.

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.

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 3:00 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

Monday night Community Concerts are scheduled to begin Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Ken and Ken Show, followed by the Wendinger Band on July 13. Concerts will be held at Johnson Football Field until further notice.

German Park Amphitheater construction continues and will be completed this autumn. 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 roque. 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. Help save our prairies, wetlands and forests. Pull dames rocket and garlic mustard before your favorite places are degraded beyond repair.

Hermann Heights Park construction continues. Work continues on the retaining wall, entrance road and parking lots. Autumn completion is expected. The entire park, including Hermann Monument, 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