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Eat local with the Ann Arbor Farmers Market
On Saturday, March 21 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, cut flowers, maple syrup and honey, pastured meat and poultry, warm drinks, bread and pastries, decorative plants, artisan goods and prepared food. Rite Spice Kitchen and Hao Chi-Real Chinese Food will also be popping up for you to grab a bite!

In-season, locally grown produce at market this time of year includes head lettuce, apples, salad mix, kale, chard, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, mushrooms, beets, radish, winter squash, micro 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.

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.

Short-term closure planned
The Gallup Park Pathway that crosses the railroad track south of the Gallup Vehicle Bridge will be closed from Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 5 for track maintenance. The Michigan Department of Transportation has timed this work to coincide with Ann Arbor’s Public School’s spring break in order to minimize disruption to students who use the path to get to Huron High School. Signs will be posted to route pedestrians around the area during this closure. Thank you for your patience while this track maintenance is underway.

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:

**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.

Sunday, April 26, 1-4 p.m. Join us at Mary Beth Doyle Park (natural area entrance at Cardinal Avenue and Sharon Drive) to help remove invasive shrubs and support native habitat - 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 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Flowers

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

Free: Spring walk at Gallup Park
Join us for a fun, free walk around the loop at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road, on Saturday, April 4, 9-11 a.m.

Bring a basket and follow the path, stopping to meet volunteers dressed as animals along the way. Try quick, playful challenges — hop, spin or test your hula hoop skills — and earn small treats or prizes at each stop. After the loop, stick around for a simple craft, photos with Hopps and a chance to visit real bunnies. A themed story time will also take place from 10-11 a.m.

This family-friendly event is a great way to get outside, stay active and have some fun in the park. Registration is required. Sign up here.

Construction underway
Liberty Street Creek Restoration Project is now underway 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.