AMHERST — Outdoor swim season is underway in Amherst, with the full-size pool at Mill River Recreation Area opening in early June and both War Memorial Pool and the wading pool at Mill River scheduled to be ready for swimmers this week.

At a recent Recreation Commission meeting, Denise Leckenby, the aquatics coordinator for the town, said the staggered opening of the two full-size pools is beneficial to the public, with an opportunity for swimmers to do “early bird” swimming at Mill River for a few weeks, and helpful to the Department of Public Works, which does the work to get the pools ready.

At War Memorial, that work has included a new liner for the pool and renovations to the locker rooms located inside the aging pool house building.

In case of a possible delay in the June 20 opening of War Memorial, Leckenby said swim lessons were pushed off until June 30. But there will still be a full slate of swim lessons, including summer camp programming and evening swim lessons, with 10 hours per week for lessons at both pools.

Last summer, 900 swim lessons were taught. Leckenby told the commission she expects about the same number this year.

The schedule includes lap swim of 35 hours per week at Mill River and 26 hours per week at War Memorial and open swim for 37 hours per week at Mill River and 39 hours per week at War Memorial.

Seasonal memberships, for individuals, are $169 and $189, with the higher price for nonresidents, $129 and $149 for children and seniors, and $259 and $279 for families. Daily pool passes are $5 for adult residents and $4 for children and senior citizens, with an extra $1 charged for nonresidents.

Another place for children to cool off is the splash pad at Groff Park, which had its opening briefly delayed due to a computer part failure.

Girls on the Run celebration

Marking its 10th anniversary, Girls on the Run Western MA recently had 4,000 people attend its 5K celebration at the University of Massachusetts, recognizing the program’s empowerment, growth and positive impact for girls in third through eighth grades in Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden and Berkshire counties.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills. During the 10-week, 20-lesson social emotional program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service while they prepare for the end-of-season celebratory 5K.

The June 8 event celebrated the girls' teamwork, personal growth, and the culmination of months of running and skill development. This spring, Girls on the Run had 1,150 participants at 75 sites, including Crocker Farm and Wildwood schools, with 320 volunteer coaches bringing the curriculum to life.

Queer Artisan Market

The Mill District General Store, 91 Cowls Road, is holding its fourth-annual Queer Artisan Market Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 30 LGBTQIA+ makers are expected to be set up at the event, which will be held in the parking area outside the store.

North Common nears completion

Final aspects of the $1.79 million overhaul of the North Common are being completed, including the stamping and formalizing of a plaza on Boltwood Avenue in front of Town Hall.

That work was recently done by McNulty Construction of Framingham. Still to be finished are installation of the light fixtures that will illuminate the space and the permanent furniture.

In a report to the Town Council, Town Manager Paul Bockelman wrote that a standalone bathroom at Kendrick Park is not yet ready to be installed. There have been some delays in the permitting of the Portland Loo, with a review underway by the state’s plumbing board.

New UMass agriculturedirector

Lynne McLandsborough was recently named director of the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment at UMass, bringing 30 years of experience to the role from the UMass Extension program. McLandsborough, a food microbiologist, also will serve as assistant vice chancellor for research and engagement.

McLandsborough noted that the center has a presence across the state, including at the Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown and the UMass Equine and Livestock Research and Education Farm in Hadley.

 “We have extension specialists across the state who deliver educational seminars to support farmers and the horticultural industry, oversee the state’s 4-H program, support clean energy solutions, publish tipsheets on everything from dandelions to invasive jumping worms, offer soil testing and plant diagnostics, McLandsborough said. “And we do this all using sound science to support the people of the commonwealth.”

Meetings

MONDAY: Historical Commission, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: School Equity Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.