On Saturday, Oct. 10, approximately 25 volunteers cleaned up areas of the future community park at 5658 Ontario St. Volunteers cleared vegetation from the roadside ditch, trimmed trees, picked up trash and removed old fencing.

Parks and Recreation extends a huge thank-you to everyone who volunteered their time to help!

Below are before-and-after photos of one section that was cleaned up.

Ames Parks and Recreation Department is inviting volunteers to help clean and maintain Ada Hayden Heritage Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, located at 5205 Grand Ave., at the north parking lot shelter. Efforts will focus on cutting sumac encroaching on the trails and trash pick-up. Participants should bring work gloves, loppers, and water bottles.

If you have questions, please contact Keith Abraham at Keith.Abraham@cityofames.org or 515.239.5349.

For Ames residents interested in learning more about sustainability, energy and water conservation, improving water quality, creating pollinator habitat, and reducing your carbon footprint, the EcoFair has the answers. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the west parking lot of City Hall, 515 Clark Ave., will be filled with booths, vendors, activities, and displays focusing on these topics and more! The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

The EcoFair will provide a broad array of conservation information featuring displays about the City of Ames’ electricity, water, and recyclingprograms. Vendors and organizations from around the community, including both returning and new, will be participating in the event. There will be activities specifically targeted at younger participants, City vehicle and equipment displays, and an electric car showcase.

City departments and divisions participating include Ames Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Resource Recovery Plant, Water and Pollution Control, Electric Services, Sustainability, and the Ames Public Library’s Bookmobile. Participants will have the opportunity to visit displays, talk to vendors, and ask questions of City staff.



All Ames residents are encouraged to attend this free, informative, family-friendly event.

Registration is now open for fall courses!

Session two: Saturday, Oct. 17

Registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 9

Session three: Saturday, Nov. 21

Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 13

Session four: Saturday, Dec. 12

Registration deadline: Friday, Dec. 4

8:30 to 11 a.m.

Ages: 10 and older

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.

Registration: $90 resident, $105 nonresident

These courses will certify you in American Red Cross adult and pediatric CPR, AED, and first aid upon successful completion.

Session two: Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24

Registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 16

Session three: Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21

Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 13

Session four: Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12

Registration deadline: Friday, Dec. 4

Friday, 4-8:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Ages: 11 to 16

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.

Registration: $115 resident, $130 nonresident

The American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training program is designed to prepare youth ages 11-16 to safely and confidently care for children and infants. The program includes hands-on activities, videos, and discussions to develop essential, real-life babysitting skills.

The course covers feeding, diapering, picking up and holding children, safety, and emergency response. The program includes classroom-based Babysitter’s Training, as well as pediatric CPR, AED, and first aid training to help participants respond in the event of an emergency.

Please bring a water bottle and lunch to eat on-site.

Euchre

Mondays, Nov. 2 to Dec. 7

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $36 per individual

This is a two-person team league. If you do not have a partner, staff will try to match individuals. Teams of two must register individually. A schedule will be sent weekly. All skill levels are welcome. Tutorials and demonstrations will be provided on the first night.

Socialize, meet new people and improve your skills. Points are awarded for attendance and games won each night. League winners will receive a Parks and Recreation gift card.

Cribbage

Wednesdays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 9

10 to 11:30 a.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Homewood Golf Course, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $30



This card game will be played individually. A scheduled rotation will be sent out weekly. All skill levels are welcome, as tutorials and demonstrations will be provided on the first night. Socialize, meet new people and improve your cribbage skills. Points are awarded for attendance and games won each night. A Parks and Recreation gift card will be awarded to the winners at the end of the season.

Charcuterie Workshop

Thursday, Nov. 12

6 to 7 p.m.

Homewood Clubhouse, 401 E. 20th St.

Registration: $60 per participant

Homewood Clubhouse and Letter Eats by B are partnering for a charcuterie workshop. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own 10-by-10-inch charcuterie tray to enjoy, take home or give as a gift. All materials are provided. Adult and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.



This is the perfect workshop to prepare you to impress your friends and family during the holidays.

Residents of Ames, Cambridge, Gilbert, Huxley, Nevada, Story City, and unincorporated Story County can dispose of yard waste at no charge during Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days planned in October and November. The scheduled Saturdays are Oct. 24, Nov. 7 (includes brush), Nov. 14, and Nov. 21, at Steenhoek Environmental, 3892 N. 500th Avenue. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those participating in Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days are asked to enter the site from the southwest side of the property and follow the road to the northwest exit after dropping off yard waste. All paper compostable and plastic bags of yard waste must be dumped out.

For more information about Steenhoek Environmental’s rules for yard waste disposal, go to https://www.secompost.com/copy-of-yard-waste-site.

For additional information or questions, contact Steenhoek at 515.599.0503.

Yard waste is not accepted at the Resource Recovery Plant. For more information about yard waste disposal, visit www.CityOfAmes.org/YardWaste.

Evening Swim Lessons

Session three: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 10 to Dec. 10

Registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 2

Various times

All ages

Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave.



Registration: $72 resident, $87 nonresident

Parks and Recreation is now hiring for upcoming fall youth and adult activities.

We're hiring for the following positions:

• Lifeguard and swim instructor
• Youth dance and gymnastics instructor
• Youth sport official (soccer, volleyball, and basketball)
• Adult basketball scorekeeper
• Adult site supervisor (basketball and softball)
• Adult sports officials/umpires (softball, basketball, sand volleyball, and indoor volleyball)
• Youth sports instructor (soccer, basketball, and volleyball)
• Youth sports director/site supervisor (Miracle League, youth soccer, youth basketball, and youth volleyball)

View more information about each position and apply below.