Editing Austin, Minnesota (section)

==Parks and recreation==
Austin has an extensive network of 28 parks and green spaces, which the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry oversees. These range from small, passive spaces like Sterling Park (manicured but lacking recreational equipment) to the 507-acre Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
[[File:Monarchs.jpg|thumb|right|Monarchs at the [[Jay C. Hormel Nature Center]]]]

===Jay C. Hormel Nature Center===
{{main|Jay C. Hormel Nature Center}}
Established in 1971, the Hormel Nature Center is in western Mower County, within Austin's city limits. It features restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. There are more than ten miles of trail, giving visitors the opportunity to see deer, mink, raccoons, salamanders, many different birds and other native wildlife. It features an Interpretive Center, open daily, where visitors can learn about the history and biology of the area through hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and live educational animals. The Nature Center offers equipment rental throughout most of the year: canoes and kayaks in the summer and cross-country skis and snowshoes while snow conditions are good.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hormelnaturecenter.org/about.html |title=About |author=<!--not stated--> |website=Jay C. Hormel Nature Center |access-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref>

===Other parks===
Horace Austin Park, in downtown, is the most centrally located and has a blend of modern amenities, including playground equipment, the municipal pool, and trails and green spaces surrounding Mill Pond.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/park-recreation/park-information/horace-park|title=Horace Park}}</ref> Austin has parks in all four of its quadrants and many are connected by a trail system, including three of the largest: Bandshell Community Park, Driesner Park, and Todd Park. Todd Park is a popular summer recreation space, with several sand volleyball courts and 11 softball and baseball diamonds.<ref name="parks" />

Bandshell Community Park is the site of Austin's annual Independence Day celebration, which draws thousands of residents for two days of music, carnival games, and evening fireworks.<ref name="parks">{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/park-recreation/park-information |title=Park Information |author=<!--not stated--> |website=City of Austin - Department of Parks, Recreation, & Forestry |access-date=March 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austincoc.com/parks.htm |title=Parks and Recreation |author=<!--not stated--> |website=Austin Chamber of Commerce |access-date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235250/http://www.austincoc.com/parks.htm |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austindailyherald.com/2015/07/freedom-fest-schedule-parade-lineup-saturday-july-4/ |title=Freedom Fest Schedule |author=<!--not stated--> |website=Austin Daily Herald |date=July 4, 2015 |access-date=March 24, 2016}}</ref>