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

Terry Jacoby
June 10, 2022, 3 years ago

Let’s celebrate and enjoy the Universal Access Playground at Gallup
Join us Sunday, June 12,1-4 p.m. as the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation cohost Music at The Playground, celebrating the five-year anniversary of the Universal Access Play Park (UAP) at Gallup park. The UAP received the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor’s Club’s Centennial gift to the community. Community High’s jazz band will perform at 1 p.m. and the event will conclude with a rousing performance by Los Gatos, a local favorite for Latin and Creole jazz! Ice cream treats from Washtenaw Dairy and delicious Absopure water will keep you as cool as the music! Click here for details.

Public input sought June 29 at PROS plan meeting
The City of Ann Arbor is updating the Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan to identify goals, needs, trends and priorities for the next five years and beyond. Please join staff for a Zoom webinar, Wednesday, June 29, noon to hear an update on the PROS plan and to share your input. Please click here to join the webinar or visit the website for further details.

“Community input is very important to defining the priorities that will guide the future of park planning and development. The PROS plan survey provides an opportunity for the community to voice their opinions and share their ideas for the future,” said Park Planner and Landscape Architect Hillary Hanzel.

Updating the PROS plan helps to facilitate community discussion and evaluation of topics of importance and current issues. Public meetings, in addition to the completion of a recent online survey, are another way for the community to participate during the PROS plan process.

Ann Arbor livery classes open for registration
Don’t miss out on Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP) instruction – Argo Livery. Tuesdays, June 14, June 28, or July 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $35/person/one-session course, ages 13 and up. Preregistration required. SUP is fun, easy to learn and is a great workout out on beautiful Argo Pond. We provide the instruction, boards, paddles and lifejackets. Click here to register.

Kayaking for Seniors – Gallup Livery. Kayaking for seniors allows participants over 50 to kayak on the beautiful Huron River, accompanied by trained support staff. Participants are fitted to a kayak, including minor adaptations if needed, given basic kayaking instruction and along with trained guides set out for a practice session on the river. We have easy kayak launch docks making it simple to enter and exit the kayaks. Kayaks, single or tandem, paddles and lifejackets are provided. Each session is two classes. Course Fee: $65/person

Session 01: Wednesdays, June 15 and 22, 9-11 a.m.
Session 02: Wednesdays, June 15 and 22, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Session 03: Wednesdays, July 13 and 20, 9-11 a.m.
Session 04: Wednesdays, July 13 and 20, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Session 05: Wednesdays, Aug. 3 and 10, 9-11 a.m.
Session 06: Wednesdays, Aug. 3 and 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Temporary closures
At this time the waterslide at Veterans Memorial Park Pool is closed due to maintenance. The rest of the pool and facility is open for your enjoyment. Thank you for understanding.

The tot pool is also closed at Buhr Park Pool.

Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the place to shop local!
It’s strawberry season at the markets! Wednesdays and Saturdays continue weekly, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., at 315 Detroit Street. You will find strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, flowers and plants, hanging baskets, vegetable and herb seedlings, leafy greens, radishes, microgreens, honey, eggs, poultry, meat, cheese, bread, baked goods, maple syrup, beverages, prepared food, artisan products and so much more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards and SNAP/EBT/P-EBT are available at our market office window. Please follow all safety guidelines posted and communicated by market staff. Service Animals Welcome. Accessible Restrooms Available. More information at our website.

Ann Arbor Civic Band summer concert schedule
Every Wednesday through July 20, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Burns Park, 1300 Baldwin Ave. The Ann Arbor Civic Band, established in 1935, is a non-profit organization that provides local musicians the opportunity to perform music for the public several weeks each summer. Traditionally, the band performs its concerts at the West Park Bandshell, which is currently under renovation, and will instead be performing its 2022 concert season at Burns Park, free of charge.

Senior center hosted weekly park walks
Join us in collaboration with the GIVE 365 – Visit Every Park program for a weekly guided 1-mile beginner level walk at a different city park each week. Every Friday,10-11 a.m. starting June 17. Hosted by the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Keep track of your walks and earn prizes for completed walks. For questions or learning the walk of the week, please contact mfulton@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Beginner Qigong and Tai Chi: Stretch, destress and empower
Every Wednesday and Friday, noon-1 p.m. Class will be hybrid, both in-person at the Ann Arbor Senior Center and on Zoom. Join instructor Karla Groesbeck for weekly practices. No matter your age or fitness level, the practice of meditation & mind-body exercise can bring calm, improve your flexibility, balance, motor skills, and mental focus. Reduce stress and increase vitality through these natural and compelling movements. To participate via Zoom, contact 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Art therapy workshop
Wednesday, June 15, 9:30-11 a.m. In-person. Join us and art therapy instructor, Margaret Wielbut, as we learn and explore the wonderful ways that art therapy can improve characteristics in our everyday lives. RSVP to 734.794.6250 or bpatton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.

Navigating Medicare workshop
Wednesday, June 22, 9:30-10:30 a.m. In person. Join Medicare Mike for a workshop covering the history of Medicare, what Medicare covers, eligibility, options, important plan dates, costs and much more. RSVP to 734.794.6250 or bpatton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.

Win cash prizes at ACBL Sanctioned Bridge games
Thursdays, noon-3:30 p.m.; fee: $8, member; $9, nonmember. Our Thursday afternoon games are ACBL Sanctioned and directed by Ellen Silverest. No partner? Arrive by 11:30 a.m. and tell the director and she will give you a guarantee to play. Cash prizes are now being offered. Questions? Contact 734.794.6250.

Consider Liberty Plaza for your next event – big or small!
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation is looking for groups interested in activating Liberty Plaza through rentals and events. Liberty Plaza, located at the corner of East Liberty and South Division streets, provides a unique downtown venue for gatherings such as business or department lunches/meetings to larger events such as Sonic Lunch concerts and many things in between. Thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funding, parks staff are able to support groups interested in utilizing the space throughout the entire park permitting process to ensure safe, fun and unique events. Have a great idea for an event at Liberty Plaza or want to find out more information about how to rent Liberty Plaza? Please contact parks Manager Josh Landefeld, at jlandefeld@a2gov.org or parks customer service at parkevents@a2gov.org.

Natural Area Preservation stewardship workdays
Preregistration is encouraged. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. NAP continues to monitor recommendations from health officials, volunteers registered for events will be notified in advance of any changes to the workday. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided.

Narrow Gauge Way Nature Area, Saturday, June 11, 9 a.m.-noon. Enjoy views of this natural wonder while removing invasive species from the park. Meet at the corner of Narrow Gauge Way and Watershed Drive (map). Register here.

Huron Hills Golf Course Woods, Saturday, June 11, 1-4 p.m. Join NAP to pull invasive weeds to protect and restore this lovely location. Meet on Hunting Valley off Provincial Drive (map). Register here.

Brokaw Nature Area, Sunday, June 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Help staff build and maintain the trails for nature explorers. Meet at the parking lot off West Huron River Drive, just southeast of Wagner Road (map). Register here.

Barton Nature Area, Sunday, June 12, 1-4 p.m. NAP volunteers have made tremendous progress restoring a variety of habitats at Barton, join this workday to pull invasive weeds! Meet at the Barton Dam parking lot on Huron River Drive (map). Register here.

[Parks & Rec]