🌱 New City Fitness And Play Equipment + Compost-A-Thon This Friday

Good morning, Fredericksburg! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek, and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High: 84 Low: 58.
• Friday: Becoming cloudy and very warm. High: 88 Low: 65.

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Here are the top three stories in Fredericksburg today:

1. Fredericksburg residents now have new amenities to enjoy at Memorial Park and the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail! There is new outdoor fitness equipment located along the Heritage Trail organized into five stations designed to improve strength, flexibility, core strength, balance, and agility. The fitness equipment was funded by donations from local organizations, individuals, and businesses. There is also new ADA-accessible playground equipment at Memorial Recreation Park's playground. The five new pieces of accessible play equipment, including a swing, were donated by Kiwanis of Fredericksburg. (Potomac Local)
2. In nearby Stafford, a man who had been released from Rappahannock Regional Jail returned to the jail hours later with a hammer and vandalized the building and a vehicle. Officials said he broke windows on a jail vehicle as well as a magistrate's office door before fleeing. Sheriff's officials report they caught the man shortly after, and he admitted to committing vandalism at the prison as well as a nearby business. (Fox 5)
3. This Friday, a Compost-A-Thon event will be happening at Hurkamp Park from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. There will be compost demonstrations, and residents of the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford can receive a free compost starter kit or bin. There will also be a food drive at the event site to benefit the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. (Free Lance-Star)

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Today and tomorrow in Fredericksburg:

Thursday, May 11

• Tabletop Game Night For Adults At Fredericksburg Branch Library (5:30 PM)
• ArtsLIVE! 34th Chamber Music Festival At Seacobeck Hall (7:00 PM)

Friday, May 12

• Movies In The Park At Old Mill Park (All Day)
• Marc Allred Music At Mellow Mushroom Fredericksburg (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Registration is now open for Camp Wilderness and Camp Lakeview with Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events. Camp Wilderness is for ages 13-17, and Camp Lakeview is for ages 18 and older. Visit this link to learn more. (Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events via Facebook)
• Officers with the Fredericksburg Police Department are currently bicycling 250 miles to Washington D.C. as part of the Road to Hope Memorial Bike Ride. This event honors law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty. (Fredericksburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Students from the James Monroe High School Start on Success Intern Program were recognized for their paid internships at the University of Mary Washington. Start on Success is a program that helps students learn work readiness skills. (Fredericksburg City Public Schools via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.