Plenty of things to do this weekend in Ann Arbor parks

Enjoy some time on the river this weekend
Labor Day weekend the Argo and Gallup canoe liveries are open Sept. 4-6 for boat rentals, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with all boats due back by 7 p.m. The Argo river trip reservations are already full for Sept. 3-6, so instead paddle canoes, kayaks and paddleboats in 2.5-mile Gallup Pond where there is little or no current and no reservations needed.Gallup: Canoe and Kayak, Sept. 4-Oct. 24
• Weekends 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Argo: Canoe and Kayak, Sept. 4-6
• Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sept. 7: Closed for the season. Go to the Gallup Livery for river trip and stillwater boat rentals.


Golf special at Huron Hills Golf Course (HHGC)
Monday, Sept. 6 HHGC is offering a $100 a foursome special for 18-holes with a cart. Call 734.794.6246 to book a tee time.

Important note: Leslie Park Golf Course will be closing on Monday mornings starting Sept. 13 for ongoing maintenance. The course will open for the day at 1 p.m. This  Monday morning closure will last throughout the rest of this golf season. Thank you for understanding.


Save the date
Mack Indoor Pool will be opening for the 2021-22 season Monday, Sept. 20. We’re happy to announce we will be offering programming and public swim opportunities this fall. Visit www.a2gov.org/mack for registration information and COVID-19 protocols and procedures. There’s a new activity guide posted on the site to view before registering.


The place to be on Saturday is the Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Stop by for onsite sales Saturdays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., 315 Detroit St. You will find sweet corn, peaches, plums, watermelons, heirloom tomatoes, apples, fresh produce, cut flowers, herbs, plants, 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. More information can be found on our website.


Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Customer Service hours update
The parks customer service office located at Cobblestone Farm will be closed Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of the holiday. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7.


Back to school drive-thru
Please join the Ann Arbor Senior Center Wednesday, Sept. 22, noon-1 p.m., for a drive-thru event where themed goodie bags, snacks and beverages will be given out to take home! Going back to school as a kid was such an exciting time. We don’t want to miss out on the fun as adults. In celebration of this time of year, the Ann Arbor District Library will be joining us to rent books and sign up guests for library cards. We will also have Dr. Parvej Khan with Therapy at Your Door (therapyatyourdoor.com) available to talk about at-home physical therapy services. Call 734.794.6250 to reserve your spot today. Free of charge.

Senior art in the park
Every Monday in September, noon-1 p.m., join us for a themed art project outside the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Each class, we will provide each artist their own personal supplies, you just need to bring your own creativity. If the weather is uncooperative, we will meet socially distanced indoors. Face masks and social distancing required both inside and outside. Preregistration required, space is limited.
* Sept. 13,  Build a succulent terrarium
* Sept. 20,  Create a bird seed feeder
* Sept. 27, Create a suncatcher

Questions? Contact bpatton@a2gov.org or 734.794.6250, or visit facebook.com/AnnArborSeniorCenter. Cost is $5 per class.

Instructional Bridge
The Ann Arbor Senior Center hosts several bridge classes for all skill levels. Never played bridge before but would like to learn? Try the Bridge for Beginners class. Already know the basics but would like to learn more about strategy? Try the Bridge Defense or Bridge Play of Hand classes. A new round of classes begins in mid-September. Call 734.794.6250 to register. Cost is $130 for members; $156 for nonmembers for each 13-week class.

Natural Area Preservation stewardship workdays
Preregistration is required for the events below. 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 leather gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided.

Each year on #911Day (a national day of service and remembrance) volunteers across the country engage in acts of service to honor the victims and heroes of that day.

Oakwoods Nature Area, Saturday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-noon.
We will be removing invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. Meet at the park entrance off Dunwoodie Road (map). Register here.

Dhu Varren Nature Area, Saturday, Sept. 11, 1-4 p.m.
Join us to cut and remove invasive shrubs to make way for native plants to flourish. Meet at the trailhead off of Dhu Varren Road across from Birchwood Drive. (map). Register here.

Folkstone Park, Sunday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. – noon
Join us to cut and remove invasive shrubs too large to be affected by controlled burns. Meet at the park entrance at the north end of Folkstone Court (map). Register here.


Upcoming office of sustainability and innovations events

  • A2ZERO Scavenger Hunt. Now that the weather has cooled, spend some time outdoors strolling around town learning about some of the sustainability features within our community by going on the A2ZERO scavenger hunt.
  • Solar Group Buy program Join your neighbors and community members to learn all about solar and whether it could work for you. Have the chance to come together for group-buy discounts with area installers. Groups are ongoing, contact Julie Roth at Jroth@a2gov.org or see website for more information
  • Solar Stories. Join us to hear Ann Arborites talk about their experience with solar the first Thursday of every month. RSVP here: https://www.2glrea.org/events-1/thursday-night-energy-events