Memorial Day Weekend: Outdoor pools open, A2 Market Flower Day is May 25 and more!

City of Ann Arbor, MI sent this bulletin at 05/23/2025 12:00 PM EDT
weekend

The countdown is on ... all the outdoor pools in the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation system will be open tomorrow! As you know, Fuller Park Pool is currently open Buhr and Veterans Memorial begin their 2025 season on Saturday, May 24.

Visit the website for all things pool-related or each individual webpage for location information. Consider buying a pool pass to save you time and money! Click here.

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Ann Arbor Farmers Market is in bloom
On Saturday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 28, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. Vendors will have asparagus, rhubarb, cut flowers, mushrooms, vegetable and herb seedlings, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, houseplants, fresh greens, apples, apple cider, root vegetables, honey, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, fish, cheese, bread, pastries, chocolate, beverages, prepared food, jewelry, candles, body care products 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. Service animals only. Accessible restrooms are available. More information at our website.

On Saturday, May 24, Vegano Italiano food truck, Samosa House, Rite Spice Kitchen and Baan Phad Thai will be serving lunch. Isaac Roughton will be performing live music at 11 a.m.

On Wednesday, May 28, Samosa House will be serving breakfast and lunch. Daycroft School will be performing live music 10-10:30a.m.

Flower Day returns this Sunday
On Sunday, May 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will join forces with the Sunday Artisan Market for the annual celebration of spring planting season! Shop for locally grown annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, native plants, herb and vegetable seedlings, cut flowers and locally made value-added foods and artisan goods. We’ll also have kid’s activities and prepared food from Baan Phad Thai, Ukrainian Homemade Food and Rite Spice Kitchen.   

Register today: Swim lessons help you make a splash this summer!
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation is offering group swim lessons for swimmers as young as six months at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial park pools. Our friendly, experienced instructors help swimmers of all skill levels build water safety skills and swimming techniques in a fun, low-pressure environment. Each session includes seven 30-minute lessons with small class sizes for more personalized instruction. Registration is underway now for session one and July 1 for session two. Resident fee is $60, non-resident is $77. Swimmers must meet skill-level requirements; reach out for special placements before registering. Ready to dive in? Register here.

Private swim lessons at Fuller Park Pool
Individual swim instruction is for swimmers ages 3 to adult, each private lesson is 30-minutes long and customized to meet the needs of the swimming participant. Private lessons are for one participant only. Fee: Half hour $22 resident; $30 nonresident. Call 734.794.6236 to sign up or click here.

Have fun and swim competitively
The Octopods Swim Team is continuing to accept swimmers ages 5-17 years old. To participate the child must be able to swim one length of the pool front crawl. Visit the website to learn more about the team and then register using the online system.
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Volunteer in the Ann Arbor parks
Check out the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program website to see or register for upcoming volunteer events. All experience levels are welcome. Tools and supplies are provided at events. Dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Visit the links below for event details and to sign up!

Love a Park Day at Fuller Park - Friday, May 30
Join us for a volunteer workday at Fuller Park! Help clean up litter and cut back invasive shrubs to improve safety, access and park health. These are both ongoing projects to help with visibility, accessibility and the health of natural areas in these parks. Register here.

Black Pond Woods Stewardship Workday - Saturday, May 31
Help care for one of Ann Arbor’s hidden gems—Black Pond Woods Nature Area! Volunteers will work to remove invasive plants and support the long-term health of this diverse woodland ecosystem. Register here.

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

Ann Arbor Senior Center programming for June
Travels With George: America’s Southeastern coastal cities
Thursday, June 5, 1:30-4 p.m. The names of cities along America’s southeastern coast are almost magical to us northerners. Names like Savannah and Charleston speak of hanging moss and mystery, of southern charm and hospitality, of beautiful homes and cultures immersed in history. St Augustine, Florida, where it seems everything is the oldest in America, was the first stop on this journey through the deep south. Next came Georgia’s Jekyll’s Island, once a retreat exclusively for the very wealthy and now a vacation paradise for everyone. Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston are within 70 miles of each other and, while each is distinctive, all share in creating a relaxed southern manner of living amid the architectural masterpieces they call home. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Drive-thru: Celebrate Flag Day
Wednesday, June 11, noon-1 p.m. Join Kelly and Theresa from Lockwood of Ann Arbor for this fun, and festive event. Enjoy snacks, receive a goody bag, socialize and pick up information. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $5 nonmembers. 

Workshop: Forager's feast
Friday, June 13, 1-3 p.m. Join Eleva Potter, Natural Area Preservation Environmental Educator for this new workshop. Learn to identify which native and invasive species are edible and turn them into delicious dishes including salad, pesto, frittatas, fritters and tea. Come hungry! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

ACBL sanctioned bridge games
Thursdays, noon-3:30 p.m. Join us for a sanctioned bridge with our new director, Matt Evett. No partner? No problem. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. and tell the director. Open to all ages 18+. More information can be found at annarborbridge.com​. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Members, $8; nonmembers, $9.

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The Octopods Swim Team is looking for new participants! The team is for kids ages 5-17. To participate the child must be able to swim one length of the pool front crawl. Registration will be required for each session. Sign up here to swim at Veterans Memorial or Buhr Park pool this summer. Please note the evening sessions are full.

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Let's get moving
Join us Friday, May 30, 10-11 a.m. for Outdoor Story Hour for children ages 2-5 (accompanied by an adult). The program is free but preregistration is required here. Olson Park Shelter, 1515 Dhu Varren Road. We hope to see you there!
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Barton Dam Embankment Remediation Project Map

Reminders for river and parks visitors
Barton Dam embankment construction continues in areas of Barton Pond, Barton Nature Area, Bird Hills Nature Area and trails to and along the Huron River. While the river is open for recreation, the city is asking BOATERS to PLAN AHEAD for where they will enter and exit the water. More information is available online.

Please also note, an unrelated construction project is taking place in city parks for the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel. Find details and access restrictions specific to that project on the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel page.

All visitors to these areas, whether by water or by land, should be aware of the potential for construction traffic and must adhere to the access restrictions. Your safety is important to us! Thank you for your patience during these necessary projects