Get out and about in the Ann Arbor parks this summer

The best place to spend your summer is at the pool
Cool off this summer at one of Ann Arbor’s three outdoor pools — Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial Park. Each location offers something a little different, whether you're looking to swim laps, take a private or group lesson, splash with the kids in the tot pool, try the giant slide or just relax on a deck chair. You can even try your hand at drop-in water polo weekly at Fuller Park Pool. Learn more about each facility, purchase a swim pass and review general safety rules by going online.

Shop and eat local at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market On Saturday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 25, Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. Our vendors will have strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetable and herb seedlings, native plants, fresh greens, mushrooms, cut flowers, root vegetables, houseplants, honey, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, fish, cheese, bread, pastries, allergen free baked goods, chocolate, spices, jam, sauerkraut, pickles, beverages, prepared food, jewelry, candles, body care products, art 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. * Saturday June 21, Tacos El Mariachi Loco food truck, Samosa House, Pilar's Tamales and Popo's Real Chinese Food will be serving lunch. Make Music Day will be going on from noon-3 p.m. with performances from Bob HOOT of HOOT and Hollers and the Arbor Consort acapella group. * Wednesday June 25, the TruPizza Co food truck will be serving lunch for the first time here at the market! The City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations and Stormwater Outreach will be attending as a community group along with Third Act. There will be a live music performance by Stephen Castiglione and Noah Gibbs at 11 a.m.

Volunteer in the Ann Arbor parks Check out the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program website to see or register for all upcoming volunteer events. All experience levels are welcome and tools/supplies are provided. Please 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 Baxter Park - Friday, June 18 Help care for Baxter Park during this Love a Park Day event in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI). Volunteers will focus on gardening tasks that may include weeding, mulching, planting, or pruning to keep the park's landscape clean, inviting and thriving. Register here. Love a Park Day at Burr Oak Park - Saturday, June 21 Help us get Burr Oak Park ready for summer. Volunteers will pull weeds, check and tend native plantings, pull and trim invasive woody resprouts in the restoration area and edge garden beds that welcome visitors all season long. Register here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with any questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.

K-5 nature craft program for kids Learn which turtles call the Huron River home and try to find some during this 90-minute hands-on program for kids (accompanied by an adult), Thursday, June 26, 1-2:30 p.m. You'll also make a turtle to take home. Free of charge but you must preregister here. Thank you.

Championship golf at Leslie Park The City of Ann Arbor and Miles of Golf invite golfers to compete in the 2024 Championship Series at Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Road—one of Ann Arbor’s most scenic and celebrated green spaces. The City of Ann Arbor Amateur Championship will take place July 18–20. This 54-hole, stroke play event is $199 for walking participants and $259 for those who prefer a cart. The field will be flighted after the second round. The City of Ann Arbor Senior Amateur will be held Aug. 16–17. This 36-hole, stroke play tournament costs $125 to walk and $165 with a cart. Players will be flighted after the first round. To register go online or call 734.794.6245.

Fuller Pool private swim lessons available seven days a week
Ready to dive in? We're here at Fuller Park Pool for every swimmer 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily!

* Adults ready to learn - Master the life-saving skill you never had the chance to learn
* Parents wanting the best for their kids - Give them confidence and safety in the water
* Swimmers seeking improvement - Take your technique to the next level
* Those who learn best one-on-one - Get personalized attention that makes all the difference

Our certified instructors work with swimmers of all ages and abilities. Whether you want one lesson or ongoing sessions, we'll customize a plan that fits your schedule and goals. Call today, 734.794.6236.  1519 Fuller Road.

Concert and community picnic at the Ann Arbor Senior Center
Join us for a special evening at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, Wednesday, July 2, 5-9 p.m. (1320 Baldwin Ave.) Enjoy a live outdoor performance by the Ann Arbor Civic Band in Burns Park, bring your own picnic and take the opportunity to explore all that the senior center has to offer. Attendees can tour the facility, learn about programs, services and rental opportunities, meet staff and connect with other community members. Picnic outdoors during the concert or dine indoors at the senior center. Complimentary ice cream will be served after the performance. This event is free and open to the public. No preregistration is required. Questions? Call 734.794.6250.

Improve your swimming skills: Sign up for a class Ready to make a splash? Registration for Veterans Memorial Park group swim lessons (session 2) begins Tuesday, July 1 at 8 a.m. Go online to view the offerings.  New rental feature We are excited to announce you can now rent portable pickleball nets! They are perfect for players looking to take their game anywhere. Stop by the front counter (2150 Jackson Ave.) or call to secure a court time, 734.794.6235.

Ann Arbor Senior Center events/activities
Bloom into a Floral Artist – New flower arranging class
Monday, July 7, 10-11:30 a.m.  This class is designed to help you create your perfect bouquet in a vase. Both the flowers and vases will be provided. You can choose your colors, shapes, and heights. All we need is you and your floral mind! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Must be registered by July 1^st. Cost $15, members; $17, nonmembers.

Drive-Thru: When life gives you lemons ...
Wednesday, July 9, noon-1 p.m. Join the Regency at Bluffs Park for this fun summer event! Enjoy lemon-based snacks, 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. 

Painless Poetry 2.0
Tuesdays, Aug. 12-Sept. 2, 10-11:30 a.m. Poetry can be a lot of fun! We’ll continue to explore writing exercises to free your mind to new ways of writing poetry and introduce you to modes of using language to forge fresh writing pathways. We will discuss works by contemporary poets and hear poetry read by local poets. Class is led by Michael Myers, a Michigan native, poet, educator and photographer. He has presented his work at many poetry venues including Nikki’s All Night Cafe, Crazy Wisdom Writers Series and the Ann Arbor Poetry Slam. 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. 

We value your input: Please take a short survey
Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation has heard an overwhelming desire for more pickleball opportunities to be added to the parks system.

While dedicated pickleball courts are often a preferred option, new courts can be cost prohibitive and take several years to construct. Because of these restrictions, we are exploring more immediate and creative ways to meet public demand. One way to do this is to add pickleball striping to existing city tennis courts. As a result, several parks are now being considered as potential locations to add pickleball striping to the existing tennis courts. For this survey, we would like your input on which existing tennis courts should potentially be prioritized, if we were to add pickleball striping. We also want to hear about your pickleball (and/or tennis) habits and preferences!

Please note that there will be surveys for each individual park before any pickleball striping is added so that each neighborhood can give feedback on preferences for its specific court. This survey will close Sunday, June 29. Click here to participate.

Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel project June 3–5, 2025, a 48-hour, round-the-clock operation resulted in the impressive installation of the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel structure on Ann Arbor’s northwest side. The tunnel goes beneath the MDOT/Amtrak railroad, and the 48-hour window was scheduled with precision so that the contractor could fully remove and replace the tracks for the installation, making this an even-greater overall feat! But don’t head over just yet; the tunnel is still closed! The construction project continues, and there is more to do before the tunnel opens and can be used, including lighting, drainage systems, connecting pathway, a small bridge and site restoration. Once the project is complete and open later this fall, the tunnel will provide a crucial, safe and legal link in the Border to Border Trail. Until then, all are asked to please continue to avoid work areas and follow all posted signs to stay safe as construction is ongoing. In the meantime, check out the time-lapse video to see the construction in action (videography courtesy of Wade Trim). Visit the project page for more updates and images.

Time for fireworks?
If you’re planning to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, please remember to do so safely and responsibly. This Independence Day, fireworks are permitted only June 29–July 5 after 11 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. each of these days, per the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011, section 28.457 Local ordinances.

Also note, using fireworks without permission is ALWAYS PROHIBITED at:

* City parks
* Schools
* All public and private property that isn’t your own

Further, anyone setting off fireworks that cause a fire resulting in property damage will potentially face civil and criminal liability. If you plan to use fireworks, please follow the laws, do so safely and be courteous by letting neighbors know in advance. This includes being mindful of any military Veterans or others who may be sensitive to the noise associated with fireworks.

The city thanks you in advance for being a good neighbor.

Strike up the band - the AACB season continues The Ann Arbor Civic Band's (AACB) 2025 concert schedule includes themed performances on Wednesdays through July 23. Enjoy "A Little Bit of This... A Little Bit of That" on June 25. The July schedule features "United We Stand" on July 2; "Sing, Sing, Sing!" July 9; and "Oh, The Places You'll Go" on July 16. The series ends with "Celebrating John Philip Sousa" on July 23. All 2025 concerts will be at Burns Park (adjacent to the Ann Arbor Senior Center), 1300 Baldwin Ave. starting at 7:30 p.m. To learn more visit the website.

Get ready for a fantastic summer outdoors
With the warm weather officially here, the picnic shelters in the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation system are in high demand, and the busy rental season has officially begun. To ensure you secure your preferred park, date and time for your gatherings, we highly recommend contacting the parks office at least seven days in advance of the date to check the availability of our picnic shelters. Our team can provide you with the most up-to-date information and assist you with your reservation.  Please email parkrentals@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6230 x 0.

Dive into water polo at Fuller Park Pool
Join us for drop-in adult water polo every Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m. at Fuller Park Pool (1519 Fuller Road). All skill levels welcome - whether you're a seasoned player or curious beginner, come splash around with us! We provide caps and balls. Visit the website for location and fee information.