Skate outdoors at Buhr Park, shop at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and more

Shop and eat local every Saturday On Saturday, Feb. 21 the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit St. We will have warm drinks, plentiful produce, artisan goods, jams and honey, protein options, and more! In-season produce that you can find at the market this time of year includes the following: apples, beets, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, winter squash, brussels sprouts, parsnips, salad greens, turnips, kale, chard, cabbage and more! Members of TedXUofM will be tabling and Rite Spice Kitchen will join us from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Vendors accept cash, and tokens for credit/debit card, mobile payment and SNAP/EBT are available at the construction trailer in the parking lot. Any questions about food assistance at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market can be directed to staff at the construction trailer. Service animals only. Accessible restrooms are available. More information at our website.

Registration underway for boat lockers
Bandemer boat locker applications are available online. Complete and return the application via email to a2parks@a2gov.org thru Sunday March 15. Lottery drawing will take place on Monday March 16.

Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena closed for the 2026 season We regret to share that due to an unexpected compressor failure, Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena will be closed for the remainder of the 2026 skating season. We understand how important the rink is to our skaters, families, and community, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption this causes. This was not an outcome we hoped for, and we know how disappointing it is to lose ice time so suddenly. All participants who registered for programs, lessons, or activities that can no longer be held will automatically receive refunds. Our team is working to process these as quickly as possible, and no action is needed on your part. We are happy to share that we are adding additional open skating sessions at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena (2751 Packard Road), 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday starting Monday, Feb. 23. The Veterans Memorial Past Masters program will also be hosted at Buhr, Thursdays 9:30-10:50 a.m. Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support of our ice programs.

Mack Pool: Learn to swim classes available Mack Indoor Pool (715 Brooks St.) has a variety of days/times available for March swim sessions and still have many private lessons available. Sign up for both here.  Save the date: Summer day camp information will be available for viewing on March 1 and  registration opens Wednesday, April 8, at 8 a.m. sharp.

We have volunteer opportunities in the Ann Arbor parks
Check out the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program website on VolunteerHub to register for 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. 

* Tuesday, Feb. 24, 3-4:30 p.m. Join us at the Ann Arbor Farmer Market (315 Detroit St.) to get the market ready for spring and create an inviting space for vendors and visitors. Look for the volunteer check-in flag either at the market office or under the central awning. Register here.

* Saturday, March 7, 1-4 p.m. At this event, you’ll help protect Ann Arbor’s biodiversity and public lands by cutting and removing invasive shrubs with hand saws and loppers. Register here. Meeting Point: Kuebler Langford Nature Area entrance off of Beechwood Drive.

* Saturday, March 14, 1-4 p.m. At this event, you’ll be cutting and removing invasive shrubs with hand saws and loppers. Furstenberg Nature Area, (meet in the parking lot). Register here.

* Sunday, March 22, 1-4 p.m. We need help cutting and removing invasive shrubs at Kuebler Langford Nature Area ( meet at the entrance off Beechwood Drive). Register here.

Take a hike with us during this weekend Women in the Woods event
Looking to get outside, get some exercise and meet new people? Join our FREE guided hike for women Saturday, Feb. 21, 10-11:30 a.m. at Barton Nature Area. Hikes are typically one to two miles on dirt trails. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring water.. This program is for ages 18 and older. Preregister here. For questions or more information, contact Eleva Potter at epotter@a2gov.org

Winter Story Times at Veterans Memorial Ice Arena Tuesdays in March, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Bundle up and join us for cozy winter story times with seasonal themes, songs and hands-on fun. For preschool-aged children and caregivers. Dates and themes are listed below. Please preregister: Tuesday, March 3, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Rain Tuesday, March 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Birds Tuesday, March 17, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Worms Tuesday, March 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Flowers First Saturday Story Time at the Burns Park warming hut Saturday, March 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Bird Nests. A special story time focused on birds and their nests, with stories and simple activities. For ages 2-6. Free; registration required. Questions: epotter@a2gov.org. Preregister here. K–5 Events Birding and Bird Feeders in the Gallup Park Meeting Room, Tuesday, March 10, 1-2:30 p.m. Search for local birds and create your own bird feeder using pinecones and peanut butter to take home. Not suitable for those with peanut allergies. For K–5 students with an adult. Free; registration required. Plants to Jam inside the Burns Park warming hut, Tuesday, March 31, 1-2:30 p.m. Plant a local berry seed to grow at home and make fresh jam using berries and sugar. For K–5 students with an adult. Free; registration required.

Ann Arbor Senior Center upcoming programs/activities
Mall walks Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Briarwood Mall by the JC Penny and Panda Express entrance. Join a group of seniors and two staff members on a self-paced walk around the mall (one to two laps - up to you!) Enjoy light snacks and water after your laps. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Educational Presentation: All About Acupuncture! Friday, March 6, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Evan Lebow-Wolf, president and senior acupuncturist at Ann Arbor Community Acupuncture for this informative talk on acupuncture, a healing modality used for to treat pain, inflammation, and stress related issues. The Ann Arbor Community Acupuncture is a non-profit clinic dedicated to making acupuncture affordable and accessible. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Brunch & Learn: Music Therapy Benefits for Seniors Monday, March 9, 10-11 a.m. Join Rachael Lawrence-Lupton, music therapist and owner of Gentle Care Music Therapy to explore how music impacts the aging brain—supporting memory, mood, connection, and overall quality of life for older adults. We’ll look at the neuroscience behind music’s effects, basic music therapy interventions that are utilized with older adults, and share practical, accessible ways caregivers, families and individuals can intentionally use music in everyday settings. The goal is to empower anyone working with seniors to use music thoughtfully, even outside of formal music therapy. Light brunch provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Tech Talks: Cool Tech for Older Adults Friday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-noon. Discover how technology is changing the lives of older adults, learn why it can be so frustrating to use, and explore exciting devices, apps, and websites designed to help seniors stay connected, healthy, and age in place. Hosted by AsKevin and James Giordani, MSW with a focus on enhancing the quality of life and independence of seniors through technology. He has been teaching tech skills and providing in-home tech support tailored to older adults for over 8 years. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Travels With George: The Soul of Southeast Asia Thursday, March 12, 1:30-4 p.m. Join us on a tour with host George Jabol! Twenty-five hours of flight time brought me to Southeast Asia – a world very different from mine in terms of cultures, languages, beliefs, foods, and people. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I began my journey by touring the Royal Palace complex and its Khmer-style architecture. A performance of the classic art of Apsara dancing introduced me to the ancient civilizations at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, whose stunning ruins speak of a glorious distant past. 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.

Join Natural Area Preservation for hands-on training
Saturday, March 7 – Salamander Survey Kickoff and Training: 1-3 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Learn how to help monitor salamanders in Ann Arbor’s parks – there are five species here! Volunteers will select parks to survey and learn how to identify these rarely-seen silent amphibians. Register here.

Friday, March 13 – Frog  and Toad Survey Kickoff and Training: 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Everyone is invited to help monitor frog populations in Ann Arbor! No experience required. You will learn to identify frogs mainly by ear, optionally by eye, and chose an area of the city to survey. Register here.

Project Grow: Uncommon Culinary Plants
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7-9 p.m.  Expand Your Garden: Reimagine It with Unfamiliar Culinary Plants. This new course explores the flora of uncommon edibles and why you might want to consider adding them to your garden plans.  The class will be taught by instructor Darla Kroft of Green Garden Foraging. She describes her experience reviving forgotten culinary plants and honoring native species as not just a passion; it has become her mission. Less familiar culinary plants sustained communities for centuries, cultivated through practices that were often more ecologically attuned than many modern systems. By reintroducing them to our gardens and our communities, we unlock pathways to a more sustainable, rooted future. $5, online via Zoom

Project Grow: Making Sourdough Pizza – Second Class
Saturday, April 11, 1-4 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about sourdough or wanting to expand your range of sourdough baking, Project Grow is offering a class on baking sourdough pizzas that should meet your needs. During the session, students will each make up a batch of sourdough to create their own pizzas at home, as well as see our sourdough baker extraordinaire, Calin Sferdean, prepare pizzas in class for students to enjoy. 18 and older. Class size will be limited to 10. Cost is $35, including all supplies. Learn more here.