Temperatures are cooling down but A2 parks programming is heating up!

Outdoor pool season is winding down - then swim at Mack! Buhr Park Pool: The schedule for the weekend is below with it's final day of the season being Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day). Visit us: * Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30, noon- 8 p.m. * Sunday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (tot splash and lap swim only); open swimming 1-8 p.m. * Monday, Sept. 1, noon- 8 p.m. (final day) Fuller Park Pool: The outdoor swim season continues through Sunday, Sept. 14. A new open swim schedule begins Monday, Aug. 25. Private swim lessons are available through Sept. 14 - call 734.794.6236 or visit the website.  Mack Indoor Pool Registration is open for the fall session of the Octopods swim team and group swim lessons for all ages, October through December. Mack Pool opens for the season on Monday, Sept. 22. Learn more and register here.

Broadway Dog Park utility work During construction activities at the adjacent Broadway West Development, a watermain line was damaged. To repair the water line, some work needs to be done park property. The impacted area will be relatively small, and construction fencing will be installed around the impacted area. Work is anticipated to start the week of Sept.1 and should take 4-6 weeks. Once completed, the affected area will be restored to its original condition. Thank you for your patience.

Yoga in the Parks Join us for a gentle outdoor yoga flow every Wednesday in September, 8–9 a.m., at Furstenburg Nature Area (2626 Fuller Road). This free program is open to new and returning yogis. Preregister here.

This fall in the parks
Veterans Memorial Ice Arena
Registration is now open for ice skating lessons (Sessions 1 and 2) for all ages and skill levels. View levels and dates before registering. Draft hockey league registration is also underway for the Fall season, beginning with two draft skates followed by an official draft. Sign up online here.

Hit the links in September and beyond!
Take advantage of the beautiful weather and book a a tee time. Both Huron Hills and Leslie Park golf courses are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Go online to view availability!

Guided kayaking adventures
Explore the Huron River with expert staff through themed paddling classes designed for all levels. From wildlife discovery to leisurely floats, these outings are fun and educational. Register here.

• Birding by Boat: Gallup Pond Exploration Monday, Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $32/person, ages 18+. Explore the Stillwater section of Gallup Pond with a local naturalist and spot herons, kingfishers, ducks and more.

• Fall Colors Kayak Tour Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4:30-6 p.m., $35/person. All ages welcome (children over 1 with a parent/guardian). Enjoy autumn’s vibrant display from the water with guided instruction and breathtaking views.

Local food abundance continues at the A2 market On Saturday, Aug. 30 and Wednesday, Sept. 3, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit St. It’s been a wonderful season for local fruit of all kinds and the abundance keeps coming! Stock up on local peaches, nectarines, melons, watermelons, grapes, plums, pears, early apples, blackberries, raspberries, and more! It’s still sweet corn and tomato season as well, and we are seeing the first mums, winter squash, cabbages, and other autumn favorites arriving! You’ll also find eggplant, peppers, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, fresh greens, mushrooms, dahlias, 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. 30: Vegano Italiano Food Truck, Pilar's Tamales, Baan Phad Thai and Samosa House will be serving brunch & lunch.

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 we provide tools/supplies. 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 right: Volunteers helped spread new play-safe woodchips at the Olson Park playground!) Shoreline Garden Workday at Gallup Park - Tuesday, Sept. 2 Join us to help maintain the shoreline native gardens near the Rotary Centennial Universal Access Playground in Gallup Park! Register here. Love a Park Day at West Park - Thursday, Sept. 4 Join the Ann Arbor Volunteer Program for a Love a Park Day at West Park! We’ll tackle a variety of projects to help care for this popular and well-loved community space. Register here. Stewardship Workday at Dicken Woods Nature Area - Sunday, Sept. 7 Help preserve/maintain this beautiful natural area. Volunteers will cut invasive brush. Register here. Please reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.

Join Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation for free outdoor playtime designed for children ages 3–5, accompanied by an adult. Each Tuesday, 10–11:30 a.m., little ones can enjoy games, crafts and social fun in a new park setting. Next up: Sept. 2, Fuller Park (1519 Fuller Road).

Free dance lessons Take part in a West Coast Swing beginner lesson followed by a social dance Wednesday, Sept. 3. The lesson runs 6-7 p.m. and social dancing follows from 7-9 p.m. at Cobblestone Farm (2781 Packard Road) in the air-conditioned barn. The lesson will be taught by Chris Moy with music by Steve and Robin Plawinski with Michigan West Coast Swing.

Outdoor education: Register today for hands-on fun in the parks! We have two events for young children with an adult. Outdoor Story Hour Sept. 2, Fuller Park, 10-11 a.m. Preregister here.

Squirrel snacks: Forest Friday, Sept. 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Marshall Nature Area. Preregister here.

Ann Arbor Senior Center upcoming programs
Animals of Ann Arbor workshops
Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Come learn which creatures call Ann Arbor home! We’ll celebrate our biodiversity by learning from City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation field biologists and will go out into the park to try to find the animals in the wild. Expect a mile walk on a flat, dirt path or a boardwalk. Dress for the weather in comfortable shoes. Binoculars provided. Water and restrooms are available. Classes include: Sept. 4: Turtles and Frogs with George Hammond; Sept. 11: Mammals with Eleva Potter; Sept. 18: Birds with Juliet Berger. Classes meet at the Gallup Canoe Livery Meeting Room, 3000 Fuller Rd. (first building on left upon entering Gallup Park). Free parking: it is recommended to come early to find a spot. Preregistration required. Sign up for each class separately by clicking the link of each class date or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

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.

Bridge for beginners - Part I
Tuesdays, Sept. 16-Dec. 16, 1-3 p.m. (No class Nov. 4; 13-week course). A beginning course focusing on basic aspects of bridge featuring bidding using the Standard American system taught in the required text “Bidding in the 21st Century” by Audrey Grant. Also included are sections on scoring, defense and more. Each class consists of 90 minutes of presentation including a brief break. The last 30 minutes will be for students to play pre-dealt hands that deal with the material from the lecture. Come and learn this fun yet challenging game! Open to all ages. Instructed by Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option: members, $15; nonmembers, $17).

Project Grow programming
Register for the Master Composter Class 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).