This weekend and beyond in the Ann Arbor parks

Natural Area Preservation (NAP) work day tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 4
* 9 a.m.–noon Greenview Nature Area Workday. Meet at the Greenview Nature Area sign, on Greenview Drive across from Barnard Road. Greenview Nature Area is home to many beautiful native trees, a meadow, a pond, and even wetlands. Come on out to work together with NAP, neighbors, the Friends of Greenview, and Ann Arbor Public Schools. We will spread woodchips on trails and cut and remove invasive shrubs, so the native plants have a chance to thrive. Visit www.friendsofgreenview.org for more information about all of the great restoration work that is happening at Greenview. Details: http://www.a2gov.org/NAP. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to workday events. Workday events are suitable for all ages but minors must be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.

* 1–4 p.m. Leslie Woods Nature Area Workday. Meet at the north end of Upland Drive, just north of Plymouth Road. This oak-hickory woodland has some of the largest trees found in Ann Arbor parks. Join us in removing invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and honeysuckle to give native plants a chance to thrive. Details:  http://www.a2gov.org/NAP. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes to workday events. Workday events are suitable for all ages but minors must be accompanied by a guardian or contact NAP in advance to obtain a release form. Tools, snacks, and know-how provided. Free.

Join us this weekend for open skating at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena
Saturday and Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. While you're there sign up for our first learn-to-skate and beginner hockey session of the season. 2150 Jackson Rd., 734.794.6235. http://www.a2gov.org/vets.

Call to register and help with graffiti clean up this weekend
Inspired from the Grannies & Graffiti program and the senior of the year, we are setting out Sunday, Oct. 5 from 1-3 p.m. to remove unsightly graffiti from parks and public spaces at three Ann Arbor locations. Ann Arbor’s Give365 volunteer program invites you to join us and help us out! We also want to hear from you where we need to clean. Let us know if you want to volunteer or just inform us of destructive graffiti. Call today to volunteer and for meeting locations 734.794.6445.

Open swimming, American Red Cross Swim lessons and more
You can extended summer by swimming indoors at Mack Pool (715 Brooks St. inside Ann Arbor Open School). Mack is open to the public and we offer a wide variety of swimming options including open swim, water aerobics, master swim, American Red Cross swim lessons, log rolling, lifeguard certification and private swim lessons. Visit http://www.a2gov.org/mack for class information or call 734.794.6237. 

Temporary closure of the Swift Run Dog Park
Beginning Monday, Oct. 6 through Friday, Oct. 10 the Swift Run Dog Park will be closed to patrons while routine maintenance is performed including improving accessibility in some areas. During the interim closure we encourage you to visit Olson Park, an off-leash dog play area in the south-central portion of the park. The park is at 1505 Dhu Varren Road (northeast corner), between Pontiac Trail and Birchwood Drive. For information about our dog parks visit http://www.a2gov.org/dogparks.

Controlled Ecological Burn meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 7–8:30 p.m. Controlled Ecological Burn Program Public Meeting Downtown Branch of Ann Arbor District Library. Fire is used as a restoration tool in many of Ann Arbor’s natural areas. This meeting provides information and an opportunity for discussion about the Controlled Ecological Burn Program. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the ecological benefits of burning, and hear about the specifics of effectively and safely using fire as a restoration tool. Burns are conducted in city parks throughout the spring and fall. Details: http://www.a2gov.org/NAP.

Shop local and learn to preserve
Join us for the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market on Oct. 9 from 4- 8 p.m. We'll feature live music all evening and from 6:30-7:30 p.m. our preservation series topic will be: Canning Pie Fillings and Vacuum Sealing for Winter. 315 Detroit St., 734.794.6255 / http://www.a2gov.org/market. 

Concerts in the Park Music Series
Our stage moves inside the Ann Arbor Senior Center for fall concert events. Tickets are $5 and payable at the door. Concerts are made possible by donations, ticket sales, community partners and a grant awarded by the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor. Dave Boutette, Sunday, Oct. 12, 1-2:30 p.m. We welcome Dave Boutette to the stage for an intimate performance that fuses originals and classic folk tunes from artists we love like Woody Guthrie or early Dylan. Boutette’s touch of the blues, storytelling and classic tales of Michigan are brought to life and reminiscent of joyful times around the campfire. “Mending Times” is Dave’s most recent CD, and it will be available at the October concert.

Saturday, Oct. 18 at Mack Indoor Pool
* 2–4 p.m. Splash Days Mack Indoor Pool, 715 Brooks St. Join us for an afternoon of games, activities and prizes both in and out of the pool. All activities and prizes are included in the admission price. Details: 734.794.6237 / http://www.a2gov.org/mack. Interested in volunteering at this event? Be a volunteer with Give 365 to lead games and activities for kids both in and out of the water. Details/to volunteer: http://www.a2gov.org/volunteer.

* 7 p.m. Dive-in Movie Mack Indoor Pool Feature presentation: Little Mermaid. Bring your own inner tube, and float in the pool as you enjoy a family-friendly movie. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors. Take part in the Dive-in Movie Challenge! Come to every Dive-in movie, and be entered to win a free 2015-16 season pass for Mack Pool. Public is welcome - 715 Brooks St. inside Ann Arbor Open School.

Register today for upcoming golf scramble
Sunday, Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m. Longest Hardest Day of Golf LPGC Are you up for the challenge? Tee off from the “tips,” and hit to pins that are placed in the hardest possible locations – all while greens are sped up, and the weather could change the game! This two-person scramble includes greens fee, golf cart, lunch and prizes. Cost: $150/team. Preregistration and payment required, call 734.794.6245. 

Trick or Treat on the River
Sunday, Oct. 19, between noon and 5 p.m. at the Gallup Canoe Livery, fee: $18/boat, no preregistration required, all ages welcome (children must be one year or older). Spend the afternoon enjoying the haunting fall beauty of the Huron River and trick or treating by canoe or kayak. As you paddle up and down Gallup Pond, you will encounter creatures handing out treats and candy. Feel free to join in and dress up. Bring a bag for your candy, and keep an eye out for swamp monsters and pirates! http://www.a2gov.org/canoe.