by Dennis Dalman
The record-hot summer’s over, but fun activities will continue in St. Joseph during the coming cooler months.
Rhonda Juell, the city’s parks and recreation director, outlined new amenities and activities in an interview with the Newsleaders.
Hollow Park
New park equipment was recently installed in Hollow Park, located at 207 Fifth Ave. N. The equipment includes a climbing structure, bouncy “animals” on springs, a slide and new swings that replaced the ones that were at least 20 years old. Under the equipment is also a new bed of wood chips.
Millstream Park
Thanks in part to a $15,000 donation from the Minnesota Twins, the Millstream Park baseball fields have been redone. Improvements are a new scoreboard, new dugouts, new bleachers.
Scavenger hunt
A St. Joseph Scavenger Hunt ended Sept. 25. Based on distributed clues for 11 places in the city, scavenger seekers received 1 point for every place they found accurately and 2 points if they submitted photos they took at that location. Prizes were given by Obbink Distillery, Tacoholics and Cloud 9 Energy Bowl.
Dodge ball
Dodge-ball games took place at Kennedy Elementary School on Wednesday and Thursday of last week for children in grades 3 through 5.
Volleyball
Volleyball games, also at Kennedy Elementary School, began on Oct. 3 and 5 and will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and Thursday, Oct. 12. The games are for children in grades 3 through 5. The cost to participate is $10 per child.
Pickleball lessons
Pickleball lessons by the St. Cloud School District will be given for learners of all ages at Kennedy Elementary School from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12. People can register online through St. Cloud Community Education.
Open pickleball
There will be open pickleball games at Kennedy Community School starting Monday, Oct. 30 and lasting through April. The games will take place from 6-9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday and from 8 a.m.-noon every Saturday and Sunday.
Adult trivia
Digital Adult Team Trivia will take place starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at LaPlayette Bar & Restaurant in downtown St. Joseph. Each team will play the game via their iPhones and/or via a large TV screen. The cost to participate is $10 per team, and that pool of money will be divvied up among the three top-scoring teams.
Basketball
Open basketball games will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 19 at Kennedy Community School. The games are open to children in grades 3 through 5. The participation cost is $10 per child.
