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

Don’t miss these upcoming GIVE 365 volunteer events
Start your weekend with the summer kick-off hosted by GIVE 365 and bike recreation volunteers at Bandemer Bike Park, Saturday, June 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Bandemer Bike Park is located in Bandemer Park (1300 Lake Shore Dr.) along the Border-to-Border Trail.

• Free jump clinic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (all ages).
Register online at www.a2gov.org/parksregister.

• Free volunteer maintenance clinic, 1-2 p.m. Learn how to help maintain the course and ways to get involved in bike recreation this summer! Feel free to stay after to continue working and riding!

• Free water, snacks and a raffle for prizes – including a kids BMX bike at 1 p.m.

The Visit Every Park (VEP) Challenge is back! If you are looking for a way to spend more time in the parks, June is the perfect month. Check out the VEP webpage for details and upcoming walk events. You can also give GIVE 365 a call at 734.794.6445 or email volunteer@a2gov.org to request staff mail you a packet.

Beginning June 17 the Ann Arbor Senior Center is debuting a series of weekly walks every Friday tailored for seniors. Visit the webpage for dates and locations.

GIVE 365 volunteers wanted
Friday, June 10, noon-2 p.m. Join us for painting preparations at Argo Cascades footbridge. We are excited to have a new mural project coming this month but we need volunteers to paint the base coat. Let us know if you are interested: volunteer@a2gov.org or 734.794.6445.

A2Zero Week featured events
Next week GIVE 365 has partnered with the Office of Sustainability and Waste Knots to host three waste audits of  zero-waste stations in the parks during A2Zero Week. Join us to pick up litter and then sort through the waste to catalogue and photograph the contents of trash, recycling and compost bins. The waste will be resorted into the appropriate containers and this feedback and analysis  will be used to help assess the current signage and sorting instructions. Contact GIVE to sign up: 734.794.6445 or email volunteer@a2gov.org

​* Tuesday, June 7, 10 a.m.-noon, waste audit at Island Park
* Wednesday, June 8, noon-2 p.m., waste audit at Bandemer Park
* Thursday, June 9, 2-4 p.m., waste audit at Fuller Park 

Love-a-Park Days
Lend a hand and join us to help beautify and clean up a park that needs a little love and attention. With 160+ parks, there are many ways to support park beautification and help steward our shared green spaces! Love a Park Days are so much fun because we bring the music, refreshments and tools; you bring the energy and the desire to make a difference, and together we can create a wonderful parknership!​ Email to rsvp your spot: volunteer@a2gov.org or 734.794.6445

* Sunday June 5, 1-3 p.m., Waterworks Park​​, Love-a-Park Day
* ​​Wednesday June 15, 5-7p.m., Huron Highlands Park, Love-a-Park Day

For additional volunteer activities with GIVE 365, check Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities. If you are looking for a service day for a group that gets you out in the parks this summer, be sure to complete the group inquiry form or visit group volunteer projects for ideas.

Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Spring is in full bloom at the markets! The community is happy to have the market open on Wednesdays, in addition to Saturdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., at 315 Detroit Street. You will find flowers and plants, hanging baskets, vegetable and herb seedlings, leafy greens, root vegetables, 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.

Join Natural Area Preservation (NAP) this weekend in the parks
Preregistration is encouraged for the events below. 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.

To view all the NAP opportunities in June visit the website.

Buttonbush Nature Area, Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m.-noon. Join NAP to remove non-native plants, and spend some time getting to know this new and unique park. Meet at the park entrance at the end of Hickory Point Drive (map). Preregister here.

World Environment Day, Oakridge Nature Area, Sunday, June 5, 9 a.m.-noon. Join NAP at Oakridge Nature Area this #WorldEnvironmentDay to take part in the UN’s Decade on Ecological Restoration by pulling invasive plants. Meet in the southwest corner of the intersection of Glazier Way and Huron Parkway (map). Preregister here.

World Environment Day, Ruthven Nature Area, Sunday, June 5, 1-4 p.m. Join us to pull invasive weeds. Meet at the Gallup boat dock parking lot, at the southeast corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes Road (map). Preregister here.

Don’t wait … start saving at the pool today with a punch pass
Have you purchased a summer pool punch pass yet? They are good for one daily admission for you, your family members and any guests you bring with you; one punch per visit per person. Punch passes are accepted at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial park pools. Passes are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Once you purchase a pass you will need to pick up a key fob from a pool facility to track your punches. The key fob is the quickest way to check-in and track your visits. Click here to purchase.

Survey ends soon – please share your ideas!
The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan process is now underway. An online survey is gathering community feedback to help identify goals, needs and priorities for Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation for the next five years. The survey will close June 5.
Save the date: Juneteenth celebration is approaching
The Ann Arbor Branch of the NAACP hosts their 28th annual Juneteenth celebration, Saturday, June 18. At 10 a.m. there will be a community unity march from Fuller Park to Wheeler Park. Throughout the event enjoy a variety of Juneteenth activities including hustle lessons, original poetry, cake walks and vendors from noon-6 p.m. at Wheeler Park. This year Al Wheeler’s (the park’s namesake) daughters, the Honorable Nancy Francis and the Honorable Alma Wheeler Smith, will be in attendance.

Churchill Downs Park remains closed
The City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County are collaborating on a project to design and construct stormwater management control measures for the Churchill Park Pond adjacent to the Churchill Downs subdivision. Construction began in April and is expected to run through the fall of 2022. Until the project is complete, Churchill Downs Park will be closed, including the playground. Please stay out of this area for your safety. Visit www.washtenaw.org/churchill for project details. Questions? Harry Sheehan, Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner, sheehanh@washtenaw.org; 734.222.6851.

Save the date: Park renaming ceremony
The community is invited to the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation dedication
ceremony of Dr. Harold J. Lockett Park Saturday, June 25. The program begins at 1:30 p.m. featuring comments from City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, family members of Dr. Lockett’s and elected and appointed officials.

Enjoy light refreshments, lawn games and educational displays about Lockett. Attendees can use the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School main parking lot (located in front of the school at the corner of Stadium and St. Francis drives). Visit the website to learn more about Lockett.
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