June Recreation Updates

June Programs and Registration Deadlines
For additional details on a specific event or to view the full listing of upcoming programs, visit our website at https://www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/489/Parks-Recreation.

55+ Day Trip: Schell’s Brewery and New Ulm

Did you know New Ulm is considered the Bavarian capital of the Midwest? Come explore the history of New Ulm’s scenic landscapes and architecture, unique landmarks, and cultural heritage. We’ll enjoy a traditional German lunch at Kaiserhoff restaurant before touring the historic Schell’s Brewery. Bus pick up and drop off will be at City Hall.

• Date: Wednesday, July 31, 7:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
• Cost: $98/person (includes round trip transportation on a coach bus, guided historic bus tour of New Ulm, guided tour of Schell’s Brewery, lunch, and beer samples)
• Pre-registration required by: Friday, June 21

 

BINGO with a Purpose

Join us for "Bingo with Purpose," where you can win prizes, learn about protecting against senior violence and financial exploitation, and support the Alexandria House in making our community safer. This program will be in the Alexander Ramsey Room in City Hall.

·Date: Tuesday, June 4,  10 – 11 a.m.

·Cost: Free

• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

 

Community Art Classes

Join us with the Rumriver Art Center to flex those creative muscles! Visit the registration page for details on each of the projects. Locations vary.

• Hand Built Pottery Mug
  • Date: Tuesday, June 4, 6-8 p.m.
  • Ages: 14+
  • Cost: $35/person. Pre-registration required.
• Mixed Media Floral
  • Date: Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Ages: 16+
  • Cost: $25/person. Pre-registration required.
• Mixed Media Minis
  • Date: Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Ages: 16+
  • Cost: $25/person. Pre-registration required.
• Nature Printmaking
  • Date: Saturday, September 14, 10 a.m. – noon
  • Ages: 16+
  • Cost: $26/person. Pre-registration required.

 

Happy Days 5K and Youth Fun Run

Join us at Elmcrest Park for a beautiful and scenic USATF certified 5K Race before the Happy Days festival events!

• Date: Saturday, September 7 at 8 a.m.
• Registration: Sign up today, May 31 and the cost is only $30 AND includes a t-shirt!

 

Movies in the Park

Gather your friends and family, pack a lawn chair or blanket, and join us for a movie night under the stars! Our first movie in the park will feature The Super Mario Bros. Movie at Elmcrest Park!

• Date: Saturday, June 8. Movie will begin around 9 p.m. Food trucks will be available for purchase ahead of time. We invite you to bring some yard games or come play your own before the movie!
• Cost: Free to attend.
• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

 

Playground Party and Grand Re-Opening

River’s Bend Park is one of the city’s oldest parks—and also one of the most beloved—and now with a refurbished playground ready for play! Join Ramsey’s Parks & Recreation Commission for an evening of family-friendly yard games, food trucks, and plenty of summer-time fun. Enjoy re-connecting with your neighbors, meet new friends, and stay for the June Commission meeting at the park to hear about the latest park and trail initiatives in the city, and provide your thoughts too.

• Date: Thursday, June 13, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The Park & Recreation Commission meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with Citizen’s Input.
• Cost: Free to attend
• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

 

Summer Concert Series

The City of Ramsey is delighted to host the 14th annual Concert Series at The Draw in the Summer of 2024. Concerts are held at 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated below. The outdoor concerts are a family-friendly event series accompanied by supplemental programs such as Art in the Park and conclude with the Trott Brook Benefit Bash.

• Date: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. from June 13 through August 22 with no concert on July 4.  
• Cost: Free to attend.
• See the full lineup on our website.

 
 

Kids’ Corner

Last fall we sent out a Recreation Opportunities Survey to gauge areas of interest for the community. One of the top items requested was programs specifically for youth and families. This summer we are excited to host our first Summer Camps as well as expand on current offerings.

 

Art in the Park

We are excited to have the Rumriver Art Center join us again for Art in the Park this summer during the Draw Concert Series! Celebrating 50 years of Ramsey, the series this year will highlight insects, animals, landscapes, and local activities found in Ramsey. We will use a variety of materials such as oil pastels, watercolor paints, graphite, and more! Classes will take place at The Draw prior to the Concert Series.

• Dates: Thursdays, June 13 – August 15, 6 – 7 p.m.
• Cost: $5/child, open to ages 5-15. Pre-registration is required, open until full. Registration will be taken through the Rumriver Art Center here.

 

Musical Theatre Day Camp

We are partnering with Northern Starz to offer TWO brand new Day Camps for kids! This is a great opportunity for your child to unleash their inner star, develop performance skills, and boost confidence. A final performance will take place on the last day of camp at Elmcrest Park.

• Frozen the Musical (grades K-3)
  • Dates: Monday, August 12 - Friday, August 16 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Seussical the Musical (Grades 4-12)
  • Dates: Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Cost: $315/child. Pre-registration is required. See each listing for registration deadlines.

 

Pop-up Play - Time2Play with Northgate Church

Let’s play! Did you know play is fundamental to a child’s healthy development and community gives children a feeling of belonging and safety? Time2Play combines the two by providing a weekly destination for fun. Bring your kids and their friends for games, sports, crafts, snacks, and more! Program will take place at the Ballfield at The Draw.

• Dates: Tuesdays, June 18 – August 20, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
• Note: Although this program is partnered with a church, it is not a religious activity. Northgate wishes to provide services to the community, regardless of religious belief.
• Cost: Free. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

 

Play Ball!

Introduce your child to the basics of T-ball. Sessions will focus on learning the basic skills of hitting, throwing, and fielding, with mini games later in the season. Class will take place at Central Park Ballfields.

• Dates: Monday and Wednesday evenings from August 12-28
  • Ages 3-5: 5:15 – 5:55 p.m.
  • Ages 5-7: 6 – 6:50 p.m.
  • Ages 7-8: 6:55 – 7:45 p.m.
• Cost: $49. Pre-registration required.

 

Sports Discovery

Explore your child’s potential passion for sports! These introductory programs are a perfect way to familiarize kids with a variety of athletic activities and learn the importance of sportsmanship. We are offering both weeknight sessions and half-day camp sessions, grouped by age. Classes will take place at Central Park.

• Tuesday Evenings, June 11 – July 2:
  • Cost: $69/kid, includes t-shirt
  • Ages 3 to 4: 5-6 p.m.
  • Ages 5 to 6: 6:15-7:15 p.m.
  • Ages 7 to 9: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
• Half Day Camps:
  • Cost: $155/kid and includes t-shirt.
  • M-Th, 9 a.m. – noon
  • Grades 3 to 5: July 15-18
  • Grades K to 2: August 5-8
• Pre-registration is required. See each listing for registration deadlines.

 
 

Active Programs

Ongoing programs promote healthy habits, get you moving, and even learn a new skill or sport!

Intro to Pickleball

Would you like to learn how to play pickleball? Join us with top instructors from the North Star Pickleball Association. We will cover the basics of pickleball rules, terminology, primary skills, coordination, and how to get connected on how to play. Paddles and balls will be provided. Classes will take place at the Central Park Pickleball Courts.

• Two of four sessions remain this season, please only register for one:
  • Saturday, July 20, 3 – 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 25, 1 – 3 p.m.
• Cost: $12.50/person. Pre-registration required, registration is open until full.

 

Pickleball Skill Development

Are you an experienced pickleball player looking to bring your game to the next level? Join us with the North Star Pickleball Association for this exclusive four-week series of two-hour classes. Classes will take place at the Central Park Pickleball Courts.

• Two sessions will be offered:
  • Saturdays, June 1 – 22, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays, August 3-24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $90/person. Pre-registration is required, open until full.

 

Pickleball Open Play

We host Open Play on weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon at Central Park. Open play regulations are consistent around the region and use the NextUp paddle rack system to manage court assignments. Open pickleball is for everyone! For more information on the rules, click the link above or refer to postings at the park. There may be some exceptions to this schedule, please refer to posted schedules for changes.

 

Mindful Movement Yoga

Connect your mind and body with Gentle Movement yoga sessions led by our instructor.

• Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. at the Public Works Facility.
• Cost: $5/session. Pre-registration required.

 

Qigong Meditation

Experience the holistic and healing benefits of Qigong with our slow, rhythmic exercises that promote mind-body harmony.

• Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Alexander Ramsey Room.
• Cost: Free. Drop-in program, no registration required.

 
 

May Highlights

Thanks to all who participated in our April programs and events! Here are just a few of our favorites from last month:

• Kites and Bites
  • We had just over 100 people join us at Elmcrest Park to fill the skies with kites! Check out photos our Facebook!
• Garage Sale Trail 
  • Another successful year for our second annual City-Wide Garage Sale! We had over 88 houses participate and plan to bring this popular program back again next year!
• Pickleball
  • Our first Pickleball League got started last month and will wrap up at the end of June. To see current rankings or sign up for the second League this season, visit the North Star Pickleball Association’s page.

 
 

What’s Next?

·Two Rivers Art Fair

• Join the City of Ramsey and Rumriver Art Center for the Two Rivers Art Fair on July 20 at The Draw! This event will feature local food vendors, artist demonstrations, and introductory art classes. Visitors can vote on their favorite artists, with a grand prize for the “People’s Choice Award.”
  There is still time for artists to apply!

·Summer Social Programs

• We want to invite the community to enjoy our parks with us this Summer! Stay tuned for some family-friendly drop in opportunities this season.

·Happy Days

• Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 7 for our 26th annual Happy Days. You won’t want to miss this year’s festivities! The Happy Days website is being updated with details for the 2024 event, check back in the coming weeks for more information.

 

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