Share your opinion - take a brief survey

Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation survey underway
Your voice helps shape our parks. Tell us what’s working, what’s missing and what you’d love to see next. The survey will be open until April 20. Click here to participate. This research is part of an ongoing effort to better understand how community members utilize local parks, park programs, events and assess what programming opportunities the city may be missing. We look forward to hearing from you.

Skate outdoors at Buhr Park Ice Arena this weekend We're happy to report the drop in temperatures is allowing us to reopen the ice arena this weekend for your enjoyment. Visit the website for details about hours for open skating, sticks and pucks and drop-in hockey. Learn more here. NOTE: Due to the unexpected closure of Veterans Memorial Ice Arena staff have extended the winter ice skating punch passes to last for a full year from the date of purchase and updated the expiration date for everyone who purchased one this last season. Thank you for understanding.

Construction update Liberty Street Creek Restoration Project begins on Monday, March 16 with mobilization and tree clearing. Access to the site is through Virginia Park, from Siller Terrace along the southern border to and through the southwest corner of the Park. Staging will also be located along the western border of the Park. All significant trees located in Virginia Park will be protected from construction activities. Minimal vegetation will be cleared along the western and southern borders, but will be mitigated with restoration plantings in the fall upon completion of the project. After tree clearing in these next two weeks, the construction activity will pause until July for more favorable site construction conditions. For more information about the project, please visit the webpage.

FREE: Family Trivia Night Family Trivia Night at the Ann Arbor Senior Center (1320 Baldwin Ave.), Friday, March 27, 5-6:30 p.m. Suitable for ages 5+. Looking for a fun event for the whole family? Questions will range in difficulty from things your kiddos will know to things that might be challenging for our adult kids at heart! Registration required to attend. Sign up here.

FREE: Register to participate in this fun spring walk Join us for a free and fun walk around the loop at Gallup Park (3000 Fuller Road) Saturday, April 4, 9-11 a.m. Participants can bring a basket and travel the path, stopping along the way to meet volunteers dressed as different animals. Each volunteer will invite participants to complete a quick, playful challenge, such as hopping like a bunny, twirling in a circle, or trying a short hula hoop spin. After completing the task, participants will receive a small treat or toy before continuing along the route. When participants finish the loop, they can enjoy a simple craft activity, take a photo with Hopps the Bunny and visit with real bunnies on site. Environmental Education staff will also host a bunny-themed story time from 10-11 a.m. This family-friendly event is a great way to get outside, stay active and having a hopping good time in the park. You must register to participate. Sign up here.

Learn about the new Bluebelt Initiative in Ann Arbor
Rosie Pahl Donaldson, City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation land acquisition supervisor, joined WEMU’s Washtenaw United to discuss the city’s new Bluebelt Initiative and its first land preservation project. In partnership with Washtenaw County and Scio Township, the effort will protect 79 acres of woods, wetlands and farmland along Mill Creek upstream of Barton Pond—helping safeguard Ann Arbor’s drinking water and regional ecosystems. Listen to the full interview here on WEMU.

Eat local at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market On Saturday, March 14 the Ann Arbor Farmers Market will be open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit St. to bring you all the local goods you need. We will have plentiful produce, artisan goods, jams and honey, protein options, warm drinks, decorative plants, prepared food from Rite Spice and Tacos El Mariachi Loco Truck and more! In-season, locally grown produce that you can find at the market this time of year includes the following: lettuce, apples, kale, chard, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, mushrooms, beets, winter squash, salad greens and more! Vendors 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.

Volunteer opportunities in the Ann Arbor Parks
Are you looking for an individual or group volunteer opportunity. We have openings in the parks. See below and sign up today:

Saturday, March 14, 2-4 p.m., Gallup Park Workday. We'll either be cutting invasive shrubs to open up the viewshed near the canoe livery or working to clean up leaves and tidy from winter at the Universal Access Playground. Which project will depend upon the weather leading up to the event (warmer temperatures and sunshine will allow snow to melt and work to be done at the playground while lack of snowmelt will allow us to continue cutting shrubs). Sign up here.

Saturday, March 21, 2-4 p.m., Buhr Park Stewardship Workday Help preserve and maintain this beautiful park! Volunteers will cut invasive shrubs to help take back this greenspace and help native species thrive. Register here.

**New Special Event** Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m.-noon. volunteer help needed at Hop, Skip, Spring! We are looking for both costume activity station volunteers and flexible volunteer support

Saturday, April 11, 1-4 p.m. Removing invasive shrubs at Mary Beth Doyle Park - sign up here.

Sunday, April 19, 1-4 p.m. Removing invasive shrubs at Furstenberg Nature Area - sign up here.

Nature programming in the parks
March programs for adults 18+ 
Women’s Bird Walk, Tuesday March 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dolph Nature Area. Let's make new friends and meet new birds! We'll look for waterfowls, raptors and spring migrants. Be prepared for a two mile hike on a dirt trail. Wear sturdy shoes. Bring water and warm clothes. Binoculars provided. Meet at the Dolph Nature Area parking lot off of Wagner Road. Register here. Questions? Email epotter@a2gov.org 

Nature Nerds Book Club, Thursday March 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Let's celebrate Women's History Month by reading The Sense of Wonder by the grandmother of the United States environmental movement, Rachel Carson. Meet at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Register here. Questions? Email epotter@a2gov.org

Preregister for free Spring Story Time events
Join us for a series of spring 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 17, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Worms
Tuesday, March 24, 10:30–11:30 a.m. – Flowers

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.

April early childhood programming
Sign up here for the following programs in April! Questions? Email epotter@a2gov.org

Outside Story Time Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 Join us for stories, crafts and outdoor play for children ages 2-6 with an adult.
April 7, Turtles, Allmendinger Park Playground
April 14, Snakes, Foxfire North Park Playground
April 21, Frogs and Toads, Bader Park Playground
April 28, Salamanders, Esch Park Playground

Toddler Move and Grove, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. for children ages 0-5. 
April 8, Allmendinger Park Playground
April 15, Foxfire North Park Playground
April 22, Bader Park Playground
April 29, Esch Park Playground

K-5 classes:
Build a Bird Nest, Thursday April 2, 1-2:30 p.m., Gallup Park Meeting Room. Let's learn about the different type of nests that birds make and create one to take home! We will also spend time outside looking for nests. For K-5 students and an adult. Questions? Email epotter@a2gov.org

Nature Crafts, Mondays 4:30-5:30 p.m. for students K-5 with an adult
April 6, Cloud Identification, Allmendinger Park.
April 13, Natural Dyes, Foxfire North Park
April 20, Tree Bark and Buds, Bader Park
April 27, Nature Art, Esch Park

April adult events:

Adult Art and Nature, Thursday, April 23, 5-7 p.m. Get to know local ducks, swans and geese by creating their portrait with Pan Pastels. We'll also look for waterfowl migrating through the area. No experience needed, all materials provided. Meet at the Gallup Park Meeting Room at 3000 Fuller Road. Questions? email epotter@a2gov.org

Women’s Frog Calls Walk, Tuesday, April 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Furstenberg Nature Area. Let's learn which frogs live in our parks and try to identify them by their calls. One mile hike on a dirt trail. Dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. Meet at the Furstenberg Nature Area parking lot at 2626 Fuller Road. Questions? email epotter@a2gov.org

Nature Nerds Book Club. Thursday April 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. April is National Poetry month, to celebrate pick your favorite poem from Aimee Nezhukumatathil's World of Wonders or bring a favorite nature poem to share. We will be meeting at the Natural Area Preservation Office at 3875 E Huron River Drive. We will sit outside weather permitting. Questions? Email epotter@a2gov.org

Ann Arbor Senior Center upcoming programs
Lunch & Learn: Aging at home with dignity -The misunderstood value of hospice
Wednesday, March 18, Noon-1 p.m. Join our host Hallmark Homecare! Hospice is one of the most misunderstood — and underused — benefits available to seniors. Many people believe it’s only for the final days of life, but hospice can bring meaningful support, comfort-focused care, equipment, supplies, and professional oversight into the home much earlier, often at no cost under Medicare. Light lunch provided. Please note, this workshop was offered in February, if you were enrolled in that session, please allow others to sign up for this one as it covers the same material. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Mind Matters – Fun brain games with students from the AFA U-M Chapter
Friday, March 20, 1-2 p.m.  Join us for this special Mind Matters session that will be hosted in person by representatives from the Alzheimer’s foundation of America at the University of Michigan. The AFA organization is dedicated to promoting brain health and wellness, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, and encouraging proactive approaches to brain care. Join us for engaging and fun brain exercises to keep your brain young and strong! Friends are encouraged! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Workshop: Make a bird feeder
Thursday, March 26, 2-3:30 p.m. Get to know our local winter birds and help feed them until spring begins. We will make pinecone bird feeders with seeds and peanut butter and cookie cutter bird feeders with gelatin. Not for those with a peanut allergy. All materials provided, no experience needed. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5. 

Workshop: Independent living, assisted living and memory care - what are the differences/costs
Friday, March 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Join Stephanie Crane from Next Steps 4 Seniors for this educational workshop. Learn the different levels of assisted living communities; how to finance and prepare for these transitions; and other tips! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Hit the links - weather permitting this weekend The first seven holes at Huron Hills Golf Course are now open (3465 E. Huron River Drive). Stop by the pro shop and pay only $1 per hole. The weather hasn't allowed us to open any more holes at this time but stay tuned! Look for a spring opening date for Leslie Park Golf Course too. Visit the website for location information. A tee time is not necessary at this time.

Last weekend to register for a boat locker 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.

Huron River Day 2026 Save the date: Join us Saturday, May 16, noon-4 p.m. for Huron River Day at the new location in Riverside Park. Stay tuned for update in the coming weeks.