Plan to spend your weekend in the Ann Arbor parks

National Cleanup Day at Olson Nature Area Saturday, Sept. 21, 1-4 p.m.
National Cleanup Day, in concert with the UN's World Cleanup Day, sets out to engage community members in cleaning up waste like trash and litter – so NAP is expanding the definitions to include invasive plants! What could be more trashy than rapidly spreading shrubs that threaten the ecosystem? Join other community members to clean up natural habitat and help spread awareness of the need for clean and invasive-free natural areas.

Meet at the entrance on Dhu Varren Rd, just east of Pontiac Trail. Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off-trail. Preregister through VolunteerHub so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. 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).

Say farewell to Summer and hello to Fall at Ann Arbor Farmers Market On Saturday, Sept. 21 and Wednesday, Sept. 25 the market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. Our vendors will have sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, melons, grapes, plums, raspberries, blackberries, apples, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes, winter squash, mums, gourds, cut flowers, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, leafy greens, mushrooms, onions, garlic, baby ginger, microgreens, herbs, honey, maple syrup, house plants, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, Lake Superior fish, cheese, bread, sweets, pastries, spices, jam, pickles, hot sauce, salsa, olive oil, chocolate, coffee, tea, mead, Polish food, Mediterranean food, prepared food, artisan goods and more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit/debit card, mobile payment, and SNAP/EBT are available at the construction trailer in the parking lot. The market office building is closed for a demolition/renovation project. Service animals only. Accessible restrooms are available. More information at our website. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Vegano Italiano food truck will be serving breakfast and lunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pilar’s Tamales will be serving lunch, 11 a.m.-sold out. Ann Arbor Symphony String Quartet will also be playing a free concert 10-11:30 a.m.

Hello, Fall! Volunteer season is still going strong with GIVE 365
Check out the GIVE 365 website to see or register for all upcoming events. ​​You can also register​ in ​our volunteer database to receive our monthly newsletter and email updates about upcoming opportunities and some of our current projects.​​ All experience levels are welcome. All tools and supplies are provided at events. Just dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring water. Visit the links below for event details and to sign up.

• Bike Park Workday at Tuebingen Park - Saturday, Sept. 21
• Join GIVE 365 staff and volunteers in working on the Tuebingen Bike Park. We will be doing trail maintenance work with hand tools (shovels, clippers, etc). We will provide the tools, guidance about each task and background music. Check out the event description for more details.

• Love a Park Day at Gallup Park "Goat Islands" - Tuesday, September 24
• Join us for a big workday cutting invasive brush at the islands in Gallup Park known as the "goat islands." We may also plant some native plants.

• Love a Park Day at Leslie Park - Wednesday, Sept. 25
• We'll be working on one of the playgrounds in Leslie Park. Tasks may include pulling weeds and spreading woodchips.

• Love a Park Day at Huron Highlands Park - Friday, Sept. 27
• Join GIVE 365 to help garden at Huron Highlands Park. This adorable neighborhood park needs some help maintaining the garden beds.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with any questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.

Plan a custom volunteer workday with your group or organization! We work with groups of 5-25 people, and sometimes larger. Fill out our Group Volunteer Inquiry form if your group is interested in planning an event with us.

Glide into fun at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena
Looking for a cool way to keep your little ones active? We’ve got openings in our Ice Explorer class for children ages 2½ to 3½! This fun introduction to skating is held every Wednesday from 9:15-9:45 a.m. — perfect for tiny skaters to take their first steps on the ice.

For slightly older skaters, there’s space in the Kinderskate class, running Wednesdays from 10-10:45 a.m. It’s a great way for kids to sharpen their skills while having a blast.

Planning a party? Why not make it an unforgettable day on the ice with our skating birthday party package? It's perfect for celebrating in the coolest way possible, give us a call at 734.794.6235.

The fall Draft Hockey season is underway, registration is open for the upcoming Winter I seasons.

For more details or to register, visit the website.

Planning an event? Rent the Ann Arbor Senior Center
Whether you are planning a baby shower, birthday party, reception, work retreat or something else, your perfect venue is right here in Burns Park. The facility is equipped with multiple rooms, ample onsite parking, a kitchen with space for food storage and preparation, air conditioning, balloon frames and inflating tools, LCD projector, tables, chairs, sound system, and more. Click here for information about pricing. Located at 1320 Baldwin Ave. (near Burns Park Elementary). Call 734.794.6250. Visit websitefor pricing.

Instructional Bridge Classes
Instructional bridge classes are directed by Ray Gentz and are open to all ages. Each class requires its own registration. Courses include: Bridge II Play of Hand, focuses on declarer play methods, Mondays through Dec. 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Bridge Defense, studies defensive concepts and analysis, Tuesdays through Dec. 17 (no class Nov. 5), 10 a.m.-noon.; Bridge for Beginners, focuses on basic aspects using the Standard American bridge system, Tuesdays through Dec. 17 (no class Nov. 5), 1-3 p.m. For complete class descriptions, visit the website. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Cost of each course is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option: members, $15; nonmembers, $17). ​

Balance screenings
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 15-minute screenings from 9:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Hosted by Galaxy Brain and Therapy Center. Physical Therapist Amanda Kelch, DPT will review fall prevention strategies, recommendations on how to reduce fall risk, and how physical therapy can improve your balance. Participants will receive resources from the National Council on Aging and the CDC to assist them in taking steps to prevent falls and take an active role in staying well. ​Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Space is limited. Preregistration required. Contact 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Croquet in the Park
Fridays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Enjoy this classic and popular outdoor game in Burns Park. Players use mallets to hit balls through hoops, or wickets, in a specific order. No experience necessary. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere, croquet just might be the game for you. All ages welcome. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Contact 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 nonmembers. ​

Save the date! Get ready for a fang-tastic time at the Halloween Spooky Skate on Sunday, Oct. 27, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena (2150 Jackson Ave.) Dress up in your best costume for a spooktacular contest, enjoy Halloween candy and skate to themed music. Bring your own skates or rent them onsite; regular admission rates apply. Perfect for ghouls, goblins and families looking for some frightfully fun activities! For location information visit the website.

Volunteers needed for popular GIVE 365 annual event
Sign up online for this fun day volunteering on the Huron River

Some of our favorite green spaces are parks and natural areas in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor’s 160+ parks and natural areas host a variety of amenities and activities for all. Find your own happy place and visit a park or recreation facility today! Many of our neighborhood parks offer play structures, scenic paths and spaces to relax, all designed to give you the best experience in nature! Playground equipment lasts about 30 years, and we regularly assess its condition and accessibility for improvements. Recent updates at Allmendinger Park, Lockett Park, Barton Nature Area, West Park and Bromley Park are ready for play! Did you know the park millage has been supporting the Ann Arbor park system since 2006. In November 2024, Ann Arbor voters will decide whether to renew the 20-year Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage, which funds park system repairs and improvements. The current millage expires in 2024, and the new one would cover 2025-2044. #greenspaceshappyplaces

Ann Arbor voters will find the 2025–2044 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage renewal proposal on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot. If passed, the renewed millage would continue funding park system enhancements, repairs and restoration for the next 20 years. The millage renewal proposal remains for 1.10 mills and does not pose an increase; the rate would remain the same as the millage that is expiring this year. Visit parks online for answers to frequently asked questions, to learn about projects and activities funded through the current and past millages and much more. Additional questions — or interest in scheduling a parks and recreation informational presentation for your neighborhood or community organization this summer or fall — can be directed to parks@a2gov.org.