Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Moorhead’s Municipal Pool and neighborhood wading pools open Friday. Hours and locations are listed at www.cityofmoorhead.com.
School’s out – the first sure sign of summer. The second certain sign is the roll-out of the Parks and Recreation Department’s full schedule of events to keep the season swinging.
Swimming: The big news this week is the opening of Moorhead’s pools Friday. The Municipal Swimming Pool welcomes swimmers every day from 12:30 to 4:30 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The admission fee is $3 for children over the age of 1. Starting Monday, the pool will be open for lap swimming and water walking from 5:30 to 6:15 ($2).
The pool kicks off the season Tuesday, June 6, with a free open swim from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children 8 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Season pool passes will be available for purchase.
The six neighborhood wading pools also open their gates Friday, remaining open daily from 1 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. The pools are for children 10 and younger; all must be accompanied by and closely supervised by an adult. Small float devices and water toys are permitted,
Farmers Market: While the gardens and fields are just getting going, Moorhead’s weekly Farmers Market begins Tuesday, June 6, and continues through Sept. 26. Browse vendors’ wares from 3:30 to 6:30 in the Hjemkomst Center parking lot. You’ll find home-grown vegetables and fruits as they ripen, baked goods, honey, jams, pet products and an array of hand-crafted items. Shoppers can enjoy live music each week from 4 to 6 p.m. SNAP benefits are accepted, along with matching dollars courtesy of Hunger Solutions of Minnesota.
RiverArts: Five RiverArts evenings highlight the summer schedule starting June 13, when Post Traumatic Fund Syndrome entertains on Nordic Night. You’ll find plenty to do from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The rest of the schedule features the Gina Powers Band and a petting zoo June 27; Heart&Soul and barrel car rides July 11; Hiahli and a fishing clinic July 26; and the Front Fenders and a drunk tank Aug. 8. All but one are in Memorial Park. The exception is July 11, when the event moves to the Heritage Garden and Amphitheater in Woodlawn Park.
Paddling on the Red: Rent a canoe or kayak from the Parks and Rec kiosk at Hjemkomst Landing, then paddle and learn on one of six expeditions. The first on June 14 is led by Audubon Great Plains and explores birds of the Red River environment. It’s followed by expeditions that focus on trees June 28, conducted by the Moorhead Forestry Department; the history of the Red on July 12 and July 26, led by the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County; animals and riverine habitats Aug. 9, directed by the Red River Zoo; and “Discover the Red” by River Keepers on Aug. 23.
All skills levels are welcome. Registrants must arrive by 5:30; the basics of canoeing and kayaking are covered at 6 p.m.; then participants hit the river. The cost is 410 per person if you bring your own vessel; if you rent one of the Park Department’s canoes or kayaks, the total cost is $15.
Concerts at Gooseberry: The F Kicks Band has scheduled two free outdoor concerts in Gooseberry Park. The first is Thursday, June 22; the second, July 20. Both begin at 7 p.m.
Skateboarding Parks and Camps: Three parks will have skate parks this summer — Hjemkomst Landing, Queens Park and Romkey Park. Two skateboarding camps are being offered at Romkey Park June 3-11 and July 15-23 by the Parks Department and Sleep Talk Skate. Youth from kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome. They’ll team up with experienced skateboarders to learn kick turns, balance and board control, ollies, and dropping in.
More information and opportunities to register for programs are available online at www.moorheadparks.com.
