This Weekend: Plenty of fun activities this weekend in Ann Arbor parks

Outdoor pools information

Since the most recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Order, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s announcements, and the updated Washtenaw County Health Department Public Pool Operating information, City of Ann Arbor Parks staff have been working to update the procedures and admissions systems to accommodate the increased capacity beginning June 14th.

As previously stated, the City is planning a stepped approached to increasing capacity, which is outlined below.

5/29/2021 – 6/13/2021: Operating under existing reservation system with existing capacity limitations in order to provide time to update staffing models and set up new operating procedures.

6/14/2021 – 6/30/2021: Increase capacity limits for lap swimming and general swim. Pool admissions will be available in two hours blocks and can be purchased on-line 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. Total spots available include individuals that made reservations in the Omnify system. Typically, up to 3 swimmers per lap lane will be allowed.

After reviewing options and systems, individuals will be able to begin purchasing pool admissions online Tuesday June 8th at 12 a.m. for dates on or after June 14th. While advanced purchases are not necessary, the option is available for those interested. 

7/1/2021: Make operational adjustments based on updated information from regulatory agencies.

If you are interested in purchasing an admission online for dates on or after June 14th, please follow these steps –

  • Please visit the Registration page
  • 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
  • Once you have selected your dates and attendees, please check out and pay

To see the specific times and details for each pool, please visit our pool websites Fuller Park PoolBuhr Park PoolVeterans Memorial Pool or our main swim page.

For individuals with current reservations during this time, pool staff will be contacting you directly with more information about your reservations.

As a reminder, the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services has a scholarship program to ensure that all Ann Arbor residents have access to our facilities regardless of economic situation.  More information about our scholarship program, please visit our scholarship website.  Current scholarship recipients should work with pool staff to secure pool spots this summer.

City staff continue to work hard to evaluate orders and implement operational changes in a way that provides more opportunities for people while incorporating safe practices.  As decisions are made about the next phase of increased capacity, staff will send out additional communications.


Argo canoe and kayak

The Argo Livery is now offering tube rentals along with the river trips and stillwater paddles. No reservations are required. Tubes are available to rent for $10 for 2 hours, every day between 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit the website for details.


Volunteer opportunities with GIVE 365

Roll up your sleeves with us at Bandemer Park!

Volunteers are needed to help us assemble a tool shed for the Bandemer dirt bike course. Sunday, June 6, 10 a.m. Register here.

Ann Arbor Music Festival

GIVE 365 is looking for volunteers to provide assistance at the compost/recycle/landfill stations at this community event, June 23-26 at Fuller Park. Contact GIVE for more information at volunteer@a2gov.org.


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 vegetable seedlings, hanging baskets, asparagus, rhubarb, garlic scapes, 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. Masks are required for unvaccinated patrons. Visit the website for more information.


wellness

Activities for wellness at the Ann Arbor Senior Center

NEW: Making wellness connections

Tuesdays, now-July 20, 1-2:30 p.m. Join Tanya, an intern with the Ann Arbor Senior Center, for a weekly wellness discussion with topics ranging from mindfulness, healthy eating and the use of art and music for well-being. Online via Zoom. Meeting ID: 913 8737 8746. Passcode: 905774. For information, contact bpatton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.

Quilting collaborative now through July 12

We are looking for 12 volunteer artists to use a provided 10×10 inch piece of fabric as a canvas to create a piece of artwork that will be turned into a quilt for later display at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. You can use it to tell a story, paint a portrait, display a poem, share a collection. All mediums accepted. Fabric selection is first come first serve. All artists must return their individual project by July 12. An outdoor, socially distanced show of the final quilt will be announced closer to completion date. To sign up contact bpatton@a2gov.org or call 734.734.6250. Free of charge.

Summer solstice drive-thru event

Please Join the Ann Arbor Senior Center and Therapy at Your Door (therapyatyourdoor.com) for a drive-through event where summer-themed goodie bags, snacks, and beverages will be given out to take home! Saturday, June 12, noon-1 p.m. Dr. Parvej Khan with Therapy at Your Door will be outside to educate about his in-home services that feature individualized exercise programs that restore function, mobility and independence. RSVP to Brittany (bpatton@a2gov.org) to reserve your spot today! Free of charge.


Golf with us – call for a tee time

Leslie Park Golf Course is open but tee times book quickly so plan ahead. You can book up to two weeks in advance at a2gov.org/LPGCteetimes or call 734.794.6245. Due to an ongoing construction project at Huron Hills Golf Course, you can book a tee time for 11 holes. Call 734.794.6246.


Natural Area Preservation events

For the events below preregistration through VolunteerHub is required as space is limited. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and gardening gloves. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools and know-how provided. Meeting location will be provided at registration.

Stewardship Workdays

  • Saturday, June 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Dolph Nature Area. If you’re not a birder, you might not know that there are two natural lakes in one park on the west side of Ann Arbor. First and Second Sister Lakes are popular among birders due to the more than 140 bird species that can be found there throughout the year. Join us to improve this habitat that serves quite a wide variety of needs. Register here.
  • Saturday, June 12, 1-4 p.m. Lakewood Nature Area. Although Lakewood Nature Area is somewhat small, it is connected to several other parks through which park visitors can continue their hikes. The hills are blanketed by oak-hickory woodlands, with a rich understory of wildflowers. Join NAP staff and other volunteers to remove invasive plants to protect this well-loved park! Register here.
  • Sunday, June 13, 1-4 p.m. Barton Nature Area. Barton Nature Area contains one of nature’s own water-management solutions; oxbow wetlands. The Huron River Watershed benefits greatly from the filtration, and flood mitigation, provided by the oxbow at Barton – and its habitat for a variety of wildlife to boot. Help us maintain and protect this unique location by removing non-native plants in and around the wetlands. Register here.

A2ZERO week close out and reusable container program

A2ZERO week is coming to a close but you can still join us this weekend at the Farmer’s Market, at a bike repair clinic hosted by CommonCycle, online at the Freeman Environmental Education Center Youth Council’s “Green Michigan” Symposium, at the Distilling Company, or at the Day of Service. Learn more and register for an event online here.

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.