Oakdale kicked off its summer community programming this week with the return of the popular ITS Truck program, according to Mayor Zabel's Monday morning update.

The "In the Streets" mobile recreation program began operations Monday, offering free drop-in activities for preschool and elementary-aged children at city parks. The program runs Monday through Thursday with two daily stops and requires no advance registration, according to city officials.

Meanwhile, infrastructure work continues on Water Tower 3 located on the west side of Highway 694. Project crews have moved into the sand blasting and painting phase, with five protective paint layers being applied to ensure the structure withstands Minnesota weather conditions for at least 20 years. City officials noted residents may observe various color combinations on the tower's exterior during the multi-layer painting process.

The city also announced a transit education program scheduled for Thursday, June 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Discovery Center. The "Transition to New Transit" session, offered through Oakdale Wellness 50 Plus, will teach participants how to use new transportation options including the Gold Line service. Registration is available through the city's website.

Oakdale Summerfest is scheduled for June 23-28, with a full event schedule available on the festival's website. The annual community celebration marks one of the city's largest summer events.