 Gallup Park Livery opens Saturday, April 22
It's that time of year when the liveries begin to open for the 2023 season. The current schedule will run from April 22-May 5:
Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (weather permitting: predicted high for the day must be above 55 degrees).
* Stillwater rentals available 11a.m.-5 p.m.
* Argo to Gallup 1.5 hour river trip. Remember the vans leave out of Gallup on the hour from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Used boat auction at Gallup Park Livery
Join staff for a public auction, Saturday, April 29, noon, of used and damaged boats featuring two-person kayaks and one-person kayaks, aluminum canoes and standup paddleboards. We estimate that we will have four canoes, 5 SUPs and 25 kayaks for sale and prices generally range from $50 to $150 per boat. Boats will be available to view 30 minutes prior to the auction. Boats must be picked up by end of day.
Earth Day Festival, Sunday, April 23, noon–4 p.m.
The Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival is an annual celebration coordinated by the Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival Planning Committee, a coalition of local environmental nonprofits and agencies, and will be held this year at Leslie Science & Nature Center.
This free, family-friendly event features displays; hands-on activities; live entertainment; green building and commuting technologies; energy topics; water awareness; sustainable agriculture; and more.
In the true spirit of Earth Day, this festival will again be a zero waste event. Visitors can help keep up the average of 90 percent waste diverted from landfills during the Earth Day event by bringing their reusable water bottle, and putting their waste in the right receptacles.The Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival is a free event thanks to local donors and sponsors!
Nature Stewardship for Earth Day!
Join the world's largest environmental movement and celebrate Earth Day 2023. Established in 1970, the mission of Earth Day is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Earth Day 2023's theme is “Invest in Our Planet," and your investment of time and labor will be instrumental in fulfilling this pledge.
Preregister through VolunteerHub so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. Tools and know-how provided! For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.-noon, Mary Beth Doyle Park Invasives removal. Preregister through VolunteerHub.
Saturday, April 22, 1-4 p.m., Furstenberg Nature Area Invasives removal. Preregister through VolunteerHub.
Sunday, April 23, 1-4 p.m., Bluffs Nature Area
Removing large trash from the park. Preregister through VolunteerHub.
Ann Arbor Farmers Market is in full spring mode!
Flowers and plants are back at market! We are currently open Saturdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. You’ll find vegetable and herb seedlings, seasonal produce, cut flowers, annuals, house plants, maple syrup, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, cheese, bread, baked goods, jam, pickles, juice, coffee, mead, prepared food, artisan items, and more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at our market office window. Service animals are welcome. Accessible restrooms are available. Free Rapid COVID testing provided by MDHHS and VisitHealth. More information at our website.
Tacos El Mariachi Loco Food Truck will be onsite Saturday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
BIG NEWS: The Wednesday market returns next month
Put Wednesday, May 3 on your calendar! That's the day the weekly Wednesday market returns, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. AND May also rolls the start of the Saturday market back to 7 a.m. (from 8 a.m.). On May 3 look for to a great mix of vendors with seasonal produce, plants, flowers, eggs, honey, beverages, prepared food, artisan items and more! At this time there are two food trucks confirmed: Fork in Nigeria and Vegano Italiano. Stay tuned for more!
GIVE 365 Love a Park Day volunteer events
Join GIVE 365 for a stewardship event in Ann Arbor’s parks! Tasks may include litter pick up, garden maintenance, playground maintenance, and invasive shrub removal. All tools and supplies will be provided. View event details and sign up below:
Huron River Day 2023
GIVE 365 is looking for volunteers to help with Ann Arbor's annual Huron River Day event at Gallup Park Sunday, May 21! There are two volunteer shifts and a variety of stations to join in on for this fun summer event. Register today through the Sign Up Genius event page!
Workshop for families in need of caregiving services
Thursday, April 27, May 18, and June 15, 10-11:30 a.m. Please join us for monthly workshops hosted by Miriam Vincent, care specialist of Ann Arbor Care Consulting, to learn about different caregiving resources and options in Washtenaw County. Topics will include in-home care, respite, assisted living, long term, memory care, palliative and hospice care. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Questions and to RSVP contact a2careconsulting@gmail.com or 734.972.1074. Free of charge.
Clear Computing presents: Tech talks
Thursday, April 27, 2-3 p.m. Join James Giordani for in-person monthly seminars that provide answers to all of those frustrating tech questions! His company, Clear Computing LLC, teaches tech skills and provides in-home tech support in the Ann Arbor area. James breaks down the confusing world of technology into clear, understandable and interesting presentations whether you're a tech novice or a tech master. The next seminar is April 27: Digital Playground - Why are kids spending all day on their phones instead of finding adventure outside? Let's learn about the apps they're using and why they're so much fun. Maybe you'll discover an app you'd like to try! Preregistration is required. Free of charge. Call 734.794.6250.
Spring senior park walks are back!
Fridays, beginning April 28, 10-11 a.m. Join Ann Arbor Senior Center staff for a weekly guided one-mile beginner level walk at a different park in the City of Ann Arbor! When you register, you will receive a weekly email with instructions on where to meet at/within the selected park. Path conditions may include paved, unpaved and boardwalks (some with little or no elevation changes). Please bring your own water bottle, we will have a water refill station and provide a light snack at the end of the walk. Each walk will be weather permitting, and a weather determination will be made by 9 a.m. the morning of the walk. The full list of spring walks will be available online, and in next week’s newsletter. For more information and to register call 734.794.6250 or email mfulton@a2gov.org. Members, free; $2 per walk for nonmembers.
Life writing class
Wednesdays, May 10-31, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join writing expert Simon Mermelstein as he leads this captivating class. Everyone's got a story to tell. This class will help you take important moments of your life and turn them into powerful pieces of writing. Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for ages 65 and older. Preregistration is required. Please contact 734.794.6250 or mfulton@a2gov.org to sign up. Free of charge.
The path in Plymouth Parkway Park, that runs along Plymouth Road, will be closed starting April 25 for repairs. We anticipate this work being completed before April 29. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
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We value your opinion - please complete this public art survey
The City of Ann Arbor has identified two upcoming parks and recreation projects to incorporate public art. The intent is that public art will improve the aesthetic quality of these public spaces and structures, as well as contribute to the overall park experience. These projects are the new pedestrian and vehicle bridge in Gallup Park and the pedestrian tunnel between Bandemer Park and Barton Nature Area.
Both projects are located along the Huron River and the Border-to-Border Trail, and act as gateways into the city segment of the river and trail. It is our intent that a single artist would produce one work of art at each location and that they would relate to each other. We also anticipate similar timeframes for construction completion targeted in 2024, which is aligned with the city’s 200th anniversary and bicentennial celebration.
This survey (click here) is your opportunity to provide input on what themes, elements, and ideas we should consider incorporating into the public art. Our intent is that it will be something that will feel integrated into the park experience at both locations and not detract from the experience of finding respite in the outdoors. The survey closes May 1.
Questions and comments may be directed to Hillary Hanzel, Park Planner & Landscape Architect, at hhanzel@a2gov.org or 734.794.6230 ext.42548.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in the survey and if you need additional assistance or accommodations, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 734.794.6140; via email to: cityclerk@a2gov.org; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk’s Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Requests need to be received at least two business days in advance of the survey closing date.
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NEW city-wide swim team
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation is moving forward with a collaborative approach to the aquatic programming offered to residents of Ann Arbor. Staff are excited to announce that all City of Ann Arbor swim teams will be combined into one NEW team. The move to a city-wide swim team is a transition designed to help the facilities to be more equitable and more responsible for the resources that we have available.
There will be four sessions throughout the year organized as one cohesive program to meet the needs of your swimmer. The swim team is for kids ages 5-17. To participate the child must be able to swim one length of the pool front crawl. You will need to sign up for each session.
Registration is underway now (click here to register) with the summer session getting started Monday, June 12. It will run for seven weeks and includes meets. For summer practices, all three outdoor pools will be utilized (Buhr Park, Fuller Park and Veterans Memorial Park). Fall, winter and spring sessions will be hosted at Mack Indoor Pool (located inside Ann Arbor Open School, 715 Brooks St.)
The fall and winter sessions will run for 11 weeks and include meets. The spring 2024 session will run for seven weeks and serve as a way for swimmers to continue to build stroke technique and endurance.
Questions? Visit the Octopods website, email Sarah Stewart, swstewart@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6235. Shop for Octopod apparel on the eCommerce website for for parks.
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Shop local and show your love for the parks
The Ann Arbor online apparel store has shirts, hoodies, tote bags and more available for purchase representing your favorite programs and places in the parks.
Click here to puchase skatepark designs, get a new Octopod swim team t-shirt or a tote bag from the farmers market or Natural Area Preservation program.
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