Parks & Rec: Plenty of things to do this weekend in Ann Arbor parks

Countdown and skate on New Years Eve!
Join us for this family-friendly event on Friday, Dec. 31 to count down until noon. Pre-registration will be required and the opening date to sign up online is Tuesday, Dec. 7. Be sure to save-the-date.


We need your help!
GIVE 365 is looking for volunteers in December. Go online for details!


We need you! We’re hiring
Working in the Ann Arbor parks is a great way to earn money, have fun and meet new people. There are a variety of jobs open at Mack Indoor Pool and Buhr and Veterans Memorial ice arenas. You can view the job descriptions and apply today – it’s that easy! Click here.


Golf at Huron Hills (weather permitting) in December
Did you know you can still play golf at Huron Hills Golf Course? The website and social media will be updated when it closes for the season. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.


Spend your Saturday at the historic Ann Arbor Farmers Market
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 wreaths, centerpieces, holiday décor, gifts, apples, apple cider, pumpkins, winter squash, root vegetables, cabbage, herbs, 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 safety guidelines posted and communicated by market staff. Service Animals Welcome. More information at our website

burhdecemberEnjoy open-air skating at Buhr Park Ice Arena
Join us for drop-in hockey, sticks and pucks and open skating at the open air arena at Buhr Park.  For fees and COVID guidelines go online. Preregistration is encouraged. Click here to sign up to skate.


Participate in the Ann Arbor Senior Center Winter food drive
Please consider donating now through Dec. 30, a non-perishable food, soap or paper product to those experiencing food insecurity. Examples of items include unopened canned goods, dry mixes, packaged pasta, baking supplies, juice boxes, paper towel, toilet paper, dish and laundry soap and more. Donations will be given to Community Action Network’s Emergency Food Pantry Program. For other ways to donate visit canwashtenaw.org/donate. If you have any questions please contact bpatton@a2gov.org or 734.794.6250. Drop off at 1320 Baldwin Ann arbor, MI 48104.

Winter wonderland drive-thru
Please join the Ann Arbor Senior Center for a holiday drive-thru, Wednesday, Dec. 15, noon-1 p.m. Goodie bags and gingerbread kits will be provided by Promedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation if you sign up in advanced (spots are limited). All will be welcome to enjoy cookies and beverages to take home or enjoy in your car! As we are in the season of giving, we will be collecting non-perishable food donations for Bryant Community Center’s Emergency Food Pantry. If you would like to contribute but transporting food is not an option, visit canwashtenaw.org/turkey-drive to donate online. To RSVP, contact bpatton@a2gov.org or 734.794.6250 to reserve your spot today! Free of charge.

Supervised bridge play
This winter enjoy the flexibility of attending Supervised Bridge Play in the morning, the afternoon, or mix it up and come when your schedule permits! There will be a Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon option.

Mondays, Dec. 20 and Jan. 3 and 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays, Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 and 11, 1-3 p.m.

Supervised Bridge play is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their bidding, declarer and defensive play. The program will run with students playing seven to nine hands per session. Hands will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play and defense. No book or partner needed. It is highly recommended that students have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Drop-in fee: $15 members; $17 nonmembers. Please note that this is not a duplicate game; just practice. For more details, contact the instructor Ray Gentz at ray62856@gmail.com or the senior center at 734.794.6250. No partner needed. Alll levels accepted. Masks are required and no food will be served.


Solarize your house through the Office of Sustainability and Innovations (OSI)
If you have been thinking about installing solar at your home, winter is a great season to research and make informed decisions. OSI’s Solarize program is a great resource to help you navigate the terrain. For details, please refer to the web page and consider signing up for a Solarize event happening Sunday, Dec. 4.

Solar stories
Ann Arbor Solar Stories is a series of Zoom presentations that are held the first Thursday of the month from 7-8 p.m. and explore local Ann Arborite’s adventure with solar. Learn more and join an event online.

The biggest loser home energy competition
Are you the biggest (energy) loser? Ann Arbor’s Biggest Loser program is a home energy competition run in partnership with the GreenHome Institute. Running from March 1-Dec. 31, 2022, participants will aim to save energy by reducing their gas and electric bills – and the household with the largest reduction in their energy bills will win $500! (deadline to register is Jan. 12, 2022). Other prizes will be available, based on improvements in the home enegery score, decreases in water usage and more! For details, check out the list of prizes and see the competition eligibility criteria. Join us for an information webinar on Jan. 12, 6 p.m.

Neighborhood sustainability grants
The City of Ann Arbor administers a grant program for residents to advance community-wide sustainability, known as Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T). SA2T is currently accepting applications for this year’s grant program. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 to advance social or environmental sustainability in the community. Learn more online.