Parks & Rec: Kick off your summer in the Ann Arbor parks

Outdoor pool updates for Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial Park
After the announcement of the rescission of Emergency Orders by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation staff have decided the outdoor pools will continue to operate as it has since June 14 for the foreseeable future.

Pool admissions will be available in two hours blocks and can be purchased online or at the pool the day of, if spaces are available. Fuller Pool will have up to 150 spots available per 2-hour block while Buhr Park Pool and Veterans Memorial Park Pool will have up to 90 spots available per 2 hour-block. Typically, up to 3 swimmers per lap lane will be allowed. Total spots available include individuals that made reservations in the Omnify system.

Due to staffing levels developed under previous MDHHS Orders and historically low numbers of job applicants, the operational model that it is currently in place allows us to provide the safest environment for pool users. We will continue to evaluate staffing levels to determine if additional changes can be made over the course of the summer.

Reservation and admission systems
Individuals and families will be able to purchase pool admissions online or in person for dates on or after July 1 on Monday, June 28 at 10 a.m. While advanced purchases are not necessary, the option is available for those interested.
• You must have a current CivicRec account with all attendees over the age of 3 on the account
• Click on the General Swim Registrations tab at the top of the page
• Choose the pool you would like to visit and click the name
• Choose the time slot and pool area (lap swim or general swim) that you would like to attend (There are separate registrations for general swim and lap swim. If you want to lap swim you must register for a lap lane session.)
• Choose who will be attending the pool
• Click Select Dates and choose dates that the selected individuals will be attending
• Youth and Senior discounts will automatically be applied. (Accounts must have a birthdate in the system for the discounts to apply.)
• Once you have selected your dates and attendees, please check out and pay

Operational updates:
* We will be offering pool punch passes beginning Thursday, July 1.
* Deck furniture will be available for use at all three pools.
* Historically at the city pools, we have required a deep end test for all children under the age of 16 in order to use the deep end. We have spent a great deal of time reviewing our deep end test policy, specifically the age requirement of 16 years. We have looked at best practices around Michigan and throughout the country. We have also looked at other city policies regarding the age of swimmers who are able to come to the pool unsupervised by an adult. Based on this, children aged 12 and older will be allowed to use the deep end without a swim test at all three pools. Unfortunately, at this time, we will not be doing deep end test for children under 12 years old, due to staffing constraints. We will continue to evaluate this and adjust if possible.
* Rentals and large group reservations are not available this season.
* Visitors will be required to wear masks inside (lobby and locker rooms), unless fully vaccinated or otherwise exempt.
* We are very excited to announce the addition of UV filters to our outdoor pool filtration systems. Several years ago, Ann Arbor saw an outbreak of cryptosporidium and many pools in our community had to close for an extended period of time. Prior to that outbreak, we had a UV filter installed at Mack Indoor Pool, which resulted in the pool only being closed for a day. Recognizing the value of having a secondary filtration system that kills all bacteria and water borne illnesses and considering the added safety that it offers our guests, we have installed the UV filters at each of our outdoor pools.
* The City of Ann Arbor will continue to offer times with limited capacity for individuals/families that are immunocompromised. Please be mindful if selecting this time slot.

Berry season is underway
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open for onsite sales Saturdays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., at 315 Detroit St. You will find strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, garlic scapes, rhubarb, vegetable seedlings, hanging baskets, fresh produce, herbs, cut flowers, bread, poultry, eggs, meat, cheese, baked goods, prepared food, beverages, artisan products and more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at our market office window. Preordering from select vendors continues with curbside or walk-in pickup, 8 a.m.-noon. For preorders, contact the vendor directly from our directory. Please follow all physical distancing and safety guidelines posted and communicated by market staff. Find more information on the website.

Bluffs Nature Area event with Natural Area Preservation
Are you looking for a chance to make an impact at a neighborhood park? Over the years, Bluffs Nature Area has accumulated heavy pieces of trash including snowmobiles and jacks. We need your help Sunday, June 27, 9 a.m.-noon to remove this large equipment from the park and keep our natural areas clean. This will be NAP’s most physically demanding workday of the year. Preregistration is required. Please wear extra heavy work pants, a thick shirt, close-toed shoes and very sturdy leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian, but this would not be a good event to bring children. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration. Register here​.

Goats on Broadway!
Thursday, July 1 through Tuesday, June 6 the fenced area of the Broadway Dog Park (designated for large dogs) will be closed. GIVE 365 will be employing a small group of goats for an eco-friendly project to eliminate a patch of poison ivy at Broadway Park. This means the area for large dogs will be closed while the goats eat the poison ivy. Please note that the small dog area will be open for dogs of all sizes during this closure. We apologize for any inconvenience. Visit www.a2gov.org/dogparks for updates. You can also learn more about the Goats at Work Program and other park projects the goats will involved with this summer.

Sign up today! City of Ann Arbor/Miles of Golf championship series
Men’s Championship, July 16-18. Open to amateur golfers of all ages at Leslie Park Golf Course. 54 hole, stroke play competition that’s flighted after 36 holes. The entry fee is $158; $150 for early entries received by Monday, June 28. Final entry deadline is Monday, July 12. Register here.

Senior Championship, Aug. 21-22. Leslie Park Golf Course hosts amateur golfers, ages 50 and up, for 36 hole stoke play championship. This also includes a super senior division, for golfers age 65 and up. The entry fee is $80; $75 for early entries received by Tuesday, Aug.3. Final entry deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 17. Register here.

Be a part of the change: A²ZERO and you

A²ZERO is the City of Ann Arbor’s ambitious and essential plan to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030. Consider applying to be an A²ZERO Ambassador or take the A²ZERO pledge and commit to taking at least one action to help us achieve our shared goal. Or join us at a future event:

• Aging in Place Forum on Tuesday, June 29, 2 p.m.
• Solarize – If you’re interested in learning more about solar for your home or business, join us for two upcoming events: Tuesday, June 22 and Saturday, June 26.
• Climate Coffee and Conversation – Held the second Thursday of every month, this is an opportunity to learn about some of the sustainability activities happening in the community. Register here.
• A²ZERO Scavenger Hunt – Spend an afternoon strolling around town learning about some of the sustainability features within our community by participating in the A²ZERO Scavenger Hunt.

Also, did you know that four local restaurants are working with the city to pilot reusable containers? Known as Ann Arbor Reduce, Reuse, Return (A2R3), this pilot will help us explore different pathways to reducing plastic waste in our community. You can participate by ordering from Zingerman’s Delicatessen’s At Home Menu, or by ordering a vegan dish from El Harissa, the Del Burger from Detroit Street Filling Station or a vegetarian dish from Miss Kim’s.

And consider using your creativity to design a badge on saving energy that OSI and AADL will use in the 2022 summer games.

Volunteer with us and do your part!
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available for individuals and groups with GIVE 365 in the Ann Arbor parks. To learn more check out GIVE 365 volunteer opportunities.