Party in the Parks (West Park) is Saturday, Aug. 23 - don't miss out!

Bridge work update The bridge at Bandemer Park (off Barton Road) will reopen to vehicle traffic this evening, Friday, Aug. 22, following a temporary closure earlier this week. Pedestrian access has remained open throughout construction, and the parking lot continues to be accessible. This work is part of the Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel project. Visitors are asked to follow posted signage and use caution in the construction area. Find project details and future updates here.

THIS WEEKEND: Party in the Parks
Join us TOMORROW for a community party on Saturday, Aug. 23, 4–7 p.m. to kick off new park programming. The West Park (215 Chapin St.) event will include live music from Dog Latin and Indie Rock Royalty, food trucks, face painting, a bounce house, crafts and more! Bring a blanket or chairs, enjoy some fantastic local music, play lawn games, eat outdoors and enjoy the park! 

Additionally, please take the West Park Activation Survey and share what temporary activities — from pop-up concerts and yoga to outdoor games — you’d love to see in the park after a two-year analysis of the future of the bandshell. The survey closes Sunday, Sept. 7.

It’s peak summer fruit season at Ann Arbor Farmers Market On Saturday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 27 the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit St. Farmers say it’s been one of the best peach seasons in years, so stock up on local peaches, melons, watermelons, plums, nectarines, early apples, blackberries, and more! Don’t forget the sweet corn and tomatoes! You’ll also find eggplant, peppers, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, fresh greens, mushrooms, potatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, cut flowers, native plants, house plants, 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 much 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, Aug. 23: Vegano Italiano Food Truck, Pilar's Tamales, Baan Phad Thai, and Samosa House will be serving lunch. Live music provided by Molly Kober, as well as Mark Schantz on classical guitar. * Wednesday, Aug. 27: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet will be playing live at 10 a.m., back by popular demand! The City of Ann Arbor’s Stormwater Outreach Team will be tabling throughout the day. Ann Arbor Planning Department staff will also be on site to chat, answer questions and share updates, 9 a.m.-noon. Find details on the planning website.

Buhr Park Pool's last day of the season is Sept. 1 (Labor Day) It's hard to believe but outdoor pool season is coming to an end. Buhr Park will have reduced hours beginning next week: * Sunday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. lap swim/tot splash; 1-8 p.m. open swim * Monday, Aug. 25-Thursday, Aug. 28, 4-8 p.m. open swim * Friday, Aug. 29, Noon- 8 p.m. open swim * Saturday, Aug. 30, Noon- 8 p.m. open swim * Sunday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. open swim/tot splash; 1-8 p.m. open swim * FINAL DAY: Monday, Sept. 1, noon-8 p.m. open swim

Construction nearly complete!
Decking work on the Island Park/Fuller pedestrian bridge is expected to be finalized by today, with full reopening anticipated by the weekend. Additional work to replace side boards will follow but is not expected to require further closures. Thank you for your patience during these improvements.

Veterans Memorial Pool closes for the season Sunday
Veterans Memorial Park Pool will be open through this Sunday, Aug. 24. 

* Registration is now open for ice skating lessons for Sessions 1 and 2! All ages and skill levels welcome. Visit the webpage to view the levels and dates before you sign up here.

* Registration for the Fall season of the draft hockey league is also underway. We are planning to hold two draft skates, followed by an actual draft at the beginning of the Fall season. Go online to learn more.

Fuller Park Pool’s outdoor swim season continues through Sunday, Sept. 14, offering extra time to enjoy the water before fall. A new open swim schedule begins Monday, Aug. 25; visit the website for updated hours. There are openings for private swim lessons through Sept. 14 available too - call to register 734.794.6236.​

At Mack Indoor Pool, registration for the fall session of the Octopods swim team is now open as well as group swim lessons for all ages, from infants to adults, with classes running October through December. Mack Pool opens for the season on Monday, Sept. 22.

Volunteer in the Ann Arbor parks Check out the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program website on VolunteerHub to see and register for all upcoming volunteer events. All experience levels are welcome and all tools/supplies provided. Dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Help beautify, maintain and steward parks and natural areas! Visit the links below for event details and to sign up. (Pictured above: Volunteers spread new woodchips to help protect the beloved West Park Oaks). Stewardship Workday at Mary Beth Doyle Park - Saturday, Aug. 23 Many volunteers needed! Join parks volunteerism and Natural Area Preservation (NAP) staff to help preserve and steward this beautiful natural area. Volunteers will be cutting invasive brush, possibly using loppers and/or hand saws. Register here. Volunteer Support for Party in the Parks at West Park - Saturday, Aug. 23 Many volunteers needed! Volunteers will support activities like inflatables, crafts, lawn games, parking, trash pickup, and setup/teardown during our first-ever Party in the Parks community celebration. Register here. Volunteer at Bluffs Nature Area - Sunday, Aug. 24 Help protect native habitat at Bluffs Nature Area. Volunteers will cut invasive shrubs like honeysuckle and buckthorn. This work helps keep Bluffs healthy and supports a diversity of native plants, birds and wildlife. Meet at the South entrance off of Sunset Rd. Register here. Love a Park Day at Frisinger Park - Tuesday, Aug. 26 Help parks staff take care of the garden beds in this neighborhood park off Stadium near the Big House. Register here. Love a Park Day at Cloverdale Park - Friday, Aug. 29 This lovely neighborhood park on the north side could use some love and attention from volunteers. Register here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with any questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.

Join us for a gentle, approachable flow designed for new and returning yogis at Furstenburg Nature Area every Wednesday in September from 8-9 a.m. We’ll move at a steady pace focusing on breath, movement, and building confidence in the basics — all in a relaxed outdoor setting to reset and reconnect. All sessions are free. Preregister here.

Please note: The Ann Arbor Senior Center will be closed Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.

Senior center upcoming programming
Mindful Movement
Wednesdays, Sept. 3-24, 10-11 a.m. Join Environmental Educator Eleva Potter of The City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation on Wednesday mornings to slow down and pay attention to our senses in nature. We’ll practice different grounding techniques focused on mindfulness and stress reduction. Expect to be outside the whole time unless it’s raining. May involve a short walk on a dirt trail with some standing and sitting. Meet at the picnic tables outside of the Burns Park Shelter (across the park from the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.). Open to all ages 18+. No experience necessary. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge. 

DTE Energy Smart Seniors presentation
Friday, Sept. 12, 10-11:30 a.m. Join DTE Community in Action: Energy Smart Seniors Program to learn easy, low cost ways to use less energy which will save you money on your energy bill. We'll also cover tips to be safe with natural gas, and additional energy efficiency and assistance programs. Participants will receive a FREE kit with contents to save money and energy in your home. Some of the contents may include LED nightlights, pipe insulation, bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators, efficient showerhead, window insulation kit, and weather-stripping. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Artist’s Open Studio
Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Calling all artists and craft enthusiasts! Join us for a weekly open studio where we invite you to bring your own projects and art equipment to work on in a creative, and supportive environment. Don’t have your hands on a project or equipment? Not to worry – we have a collection of materials and craft projects that you can choose from. Friends encouraged. Please call ahead of time to learn what materials we have on hand. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Free for members, $2 for nonmembers.

Nature journaling workshop
Thursday, Oct. 9, 1-3 p.m. Are you interested in keeping a nature journal? Journaling about nature can be a fun and creative way to spark curiosity and improve your observational skills. Your journal can include writing, drawing, mapping, and listing the details of everyday nature that you notice. Join us for a ‘how-to’ session as we cover the basics and spend some time in nature. We will explore ways to record observations, types of journals and supplies, resources you can use, and styles used by other journalers. Basic supplies will be provided, and participants will create a small take-home journal to use during class. If you are already keeping a nature journal, feel free to bring it. The instructor, Karen Gourlay, is a lifelong outdoor educator with experience teaching both adults and children. She recently retired from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as coordinator for the State Park Explorer Program, and worked previously as a Park Interpreter conducting programs about nature and agriculture. Offered in partnership with The City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge. 

Project Grow class
Master Composting, Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21, 6-8:30 p.m. This 6-week workshop hosted by Project Grow will help you gain a stronger understanding of composting, sustainable organic waste disposal, and the science of the soils and essential nutrients that feed our gardens. You will leave with the skills to transform yard debris and kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich amendment; to create low-maintenance, low-waste yards; how to utilize several different composting methods; to compost with red worms; and to make compost teas. Washtenaw County Master Composter Certificate granted after completing the class, a take-home exam, and ten hands-on volunteer hours. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. and Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd. Click here to register. Contact info@projectgrowgardens.org. Cost is $69 (includes PDF manual); optional add-ons include printed manual, $10 and/or worm bin build kit ($TBD).