Busy season is underway in the Ann Arbor parks

Join our team: Work outdoors, earn money, have fun and add to your resume
Enjoy working in some of the most popular and beautiful places in Ann Arbor - the parks! There are a variety of positions open for the spring/summer of 2026 season at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial Park pools, Huron Hills and Leslie Park Golf Courses and Argo and Gallup liveries. Staff enjoy providing great customer service, teaching valuable skills such as swimming and enhancing their communication and leadership skills.​​ It's also a great place to make new friends and work outdoors. Positions include cashiers, golf maintenance staff, lifeguards, day camp counselors, canoe livery attendants, gardeners, swim instructors and more. View the jobs and apply online.

Hit the links this weekend We're happy to announce both Huron Hills and Leslie Park Golf Courses are open. Enjoy spring rates at this time as we prepare to take online tee times in the coming weeks. Visit both websites for rates and location information. We hope to see you play 9 or 18 this weekend. Inquire at the clubhouse about leagues and special events this summer.

Summer Day Camp registration continues
Spots remain open for some summer day camp offerings in the Ann Arbor parks. There are also waitlists that have been generated after camp sessions reached capacity. If you added someone to a waitlist, please pay attention close attention to your email inbox. If a space opens and you receive the Waiting Listing Notification email, you have 24 hours to complete the sign up online. 

To view the sessions and themes available for sign up go online.

If you have a golfer in your life sign up here for Huron Hills Junior Golf Camps! Camps begin mid-June for juniors ages 8-15 years old. Golfers of all abilities will have fun learning the game of golf, including the fundamentals and sportsmanship. Two hours daily, Monday-Thursday, for two weeks. Camp fee: $190.

Found treasures
It's always fun to experience Ann Arbor through the eyes, taste buds — all the senses — of first-time visitors. Check out this episode of "Lost In" when host DJ BBQ "tubes and grooves" through our city and community, highlighting parks’ gems, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, with Market Manager Stefanie Stauffer, and the Argo Cascades.

New date same fun, free event for dogs! Join us for a tail-wagging good time at the pop-up dog park at Veterans Memorial Park (Ballfield #4). Free. We’ve got plenty to get your pup’s tail wagging — pup cups from Washtenaw Dairy, a dog bandana decorating station, tennis balls galore, beginner obstacles and a few paws-itively fun surprises still up our sleeve. The event will be accessible to everyone, with the addition of ADA parking spaces, an accessible walking mat, and ADA compliant restrooms. Bring your furry best friend and come sniff out the fun! To learn more about the dog parks in Ann Arbor go online here.  Dog park updates Olson Dog Park opened Thursday, April 9 with limited space available at this time. The northern gate, near the parking lot will remain closed. Access to the park will be through the western gate, near the shelter/basketball courts. A fence has been installed to keep dogs out of the seeded area until some time next week. Updates will be provided as often as possible. Broadway Park remains closed. Restoration has been completed in the small dog area and restoration of the large dog area is ongoing. Following the recommendations given by the contractor, reopening of the dog park could happen late next week. When the park reopens fully updates will be made to the website and social media.

Octopods swim team registration is underway
Register for this fun, competitive swim team for kids ages 5-17. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool front crawl. Learn more and register here.

Looking for volunteer or community services hours - sign up today!

• Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m.- 1p.m. Join the neighbors of Creal Park and the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program for an Adopt-A-Park workday! We’ll tackle a variety of projects to help care for this popular and well-loved community space during our annual spring cleanup. Register here.
  
  
• Saturday, April 11, 1-4 p.m. Help restore Mary Beth Doyle Park's natural areas by cutting invasive shrubs with hand saws and loppers! Create space for native plants to thrive and support a healthier ecosystem in one of Ann Arbor’s most beloved nature areas. Register here. 
  
  
• Saturday, April 11, 2-4 p.m. Join the neighbors of Buhr Park and the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program for an Adopt-A-Park workday to help preserve and maintain this beautiful park! Volunteers will cut invasive brush along the park boundaries. Register here.

• Sunday, April 12, 12-2 p.m. Join UM Tau Beta Pi and the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program for an Adopt-A-Park workday at Gallup Park! We'll be working to clean up leaves and debris at the Universal Access Playground. Register here.

• Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m.-noon. Join us for Love a Park Volunteer Workday as part of our Park Spotlight week at Foxfire North Park! Give back to your local park while being part of a week-long celebration of family-friendly activities and community connection. We’ll tackle a variety of projects to help care for this popular and well-loved community space. Register here.

• Friday, April 17 from 3-5 p.m. Join the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations and the Ann Arbor Parks Volunteer Program for an Adopt-A-Park workday! We’ll tackle a variety of projects to get Fuller Park ready for the pool's opening day. Register here.

• Sunday, April 19, Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival Volunteer at Leslie Science & Nature Center: Join us to support the annual Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival! Volunteers play a key role in making this event a success, including helping visitors find their way, supporting hands-on activities like paper-making, and promoting zero-waste practices. Explore and register for all shifts and volunteer roles here. 

• Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m.-noon. Join us for Love a Park Volunteer Workday as part of our Park Spotlight week at Bader Park! Give back to your local park while being part of a week-long celebration of family-friendly activities and community connection. We’ll tackle a variety of projects to help care for this popular and well-loved community space. Register here.

• Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Help bring a fun-filled kids costume parade to life! Volunteers will run activity stations along a park path where children in costume complete challenges and earn prizes. Register here.

• Sunday, April 26, 1-4 p.m. Help restore Mary Beth Doyle Park's natural areas by cutting invasive shrubs with hand saws and loppers! Create space for native plants to thrive and support a healthier ecosystem in one of Ann Arbor’s most beloved nature areas. Register here. 
  
  
• Find all upcoming volunteer opportunities here.

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

April early childhood programming
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 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 15, Foxfire North Park Playground
April 22, Bader Park Playground
April 29, Esch Park Playground

K-5 classes:
Nature Crafts, Mondays 4:30-5:30 p.m. for students K-5 with an adult
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 Signs of Spring 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

Spring is upon us at the farmers market On Saturday, April 11 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. Things to look forward to at market: Summer hours (7 a.m.-3 p.m.) will begin at the start of May and Wednesday market will return on May 6. Flower Day 2026 will be taking place on Sunday, May 24. Also, vendor CSA information will be updated on our website and socials shortly. At market we will have an abundance of produce, artisan goods, jams and honey, protein options, warm drinks, decorative plants and flowers, prepared food from Samosa House and Amapola Detroit Food Truck and more. In-season, locally grown produce that you can find at the market this time of year includes the following: mushrooms, lettuce, apples, kale, chard, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, beets, winter squash, salad greens, and more! Asparagus is on its way slowly but surely. 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.

Your input is important - share feedback on the dog parks
In response to demand for an additional dog park on the City’s west side, Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation has been piloting a pop-up dog park at Veterans Memorial Park Field #4 and collecting feedback from residents and park users. To provide feedback, please take a moment to complete the community survey here.

Ann Arbor Senior Center programming in April

New Artist Exhibit: Featuring Mickey Taylor
Come enjoy the energetic work of Mickey Taylor who shares a colorful collection of oil paintings April-June at the senior center. He shares that he used to be a professor of neuropsychiatry. Now he considers himself an octogenarian (old guy) that paints. He's self-taught and likes bright colors. He has no overarching painting philosophy. He paints places he knows, mainly the states of Montana and Michigan and the people in his paintings reflect the human condition. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Michigan’s own: The Hidden History of Gerald Ford
Tuesday, April 14, 2-3:30 p.m. Join the Gerald Ford Presidential Library for an intimate look at the life of Michigan’s only president, from his days as a University of Michigan football star to his unexpected rise to the White House. We will uncover surprising facts about his journey and explore the "hidden history" of a man who led the nation through a period of profound change. You will also get a sneak peek at upcoming public programs and the new "America at 250" exhibit at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Tech Talks: Essential phone skills for older adults
Thursday, April 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For better or for worse, we've gotta use these pesky phones! Come learn some tricks to help you use your Android or iPhone more independently and confidently. Hosted by AsKevin and James Giordani, MSW with a focus on enhancing the quality of life and independence of seniors through technology. This program is made possible through grant funding provided by the Michigan Association of Senior Centers and Molina Healthcare. Open to ages 55+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Art in the Park: Paint your own terracotta pot
Friday, April 24, 1-2:30 p.m. Paint your own terracotta pot with the Ann Arbor Senior Center staff! All materials provided, no experience needed. Class will be outside weather permitting! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5. 

Open Seed Shares with Project Grow
Saturdays April 11 and May 9. Project Grow had a successful launch on March 14 with the West Side Gardeners Cooperative. Find us at one of the public events below. Bring seeds from your stash to share! Share dates are Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd.); and Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-noon (Dawn Farm, 6633 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti). Seed Share questions? Email us at community@projectgrowgardens.org.

Project Grow: Science for the Home Gardener
Monday, April 13, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m. Hosted by Jennie Williams of Project Grow. This class will give you a deeper understanding of our local soils and your own garden soil. We’ll look at composition, structure and properties of soils, test for pH, and talk about amendments. By increasing your knowledge of soil science, you will better understand what it is underneath and how it makes a big difference in how your garden plants flourish over the growing season. Please bring about 2 cups of soil from your own garden, free of top organic material duff and a jar with a lid. Located at Northside Community Center, 809 Taylor St. Click here to register. Contact community@projectgrowgardens.org. Cost is $10.

Kemp House noon lecture series April 15: Margaret Leary, Librarian Emerita of the University of Michigan Law School and community volunteer, talks about about William W. Cook, who provided money and architects for the Martha Cook Building and the entire Cook Law Quadrangle. He and Harry Hutchins showed that the University could not be the equal of private schools like Columbia, Yale and Harvard without large financial support from U of M's vast alumni body.  April 22: John Hilton, the long-time editor of the Ann Arbor Observer, has recently retired and he's coming to the Kempf House to talk about his work there. Kempf House Museum is located at 312 S. Division St, 734.994.4898. Parking available in the Library Lot and underground structure a half-block south of the museum. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Questions? Email  kempfhousemuseum@gmail.com

Popular boat auction slated for Saturday, April 25 (opening livery weekend)
Save the date for an upcoming public boat auction at the Gallup Park Livery. This is a great opportunity to pick up a project boat or find a budget-friendly way to get on the water. The auction will take place on the riverside lawn at Gallup Park Livery (3000 Fuller Road). Viewing will begin at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes prior to the start, and the auction will begin promptly at noon.

Items are expected to include a selection of kayaks (single and two-person models), aluminum canoes and a stand-up paddleboard, though quantities may vary. Most boats typically range in price from $50 to $150.

No preregistration or entry fee is required—just plan to arrive ready to bid. All boats will be sold as-is and are used and/or damaged units from the seasonal fleet. Payment will be accepted by credit card, cash or check made out to the City of Ann Arbor, and all purchased boats must be paid for and removed immediately following the sale.

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 on the website.