City of Ann Arbor voters approved a six-year park millage in November 2006 that funds current, ongoing improvements to Ann Arbor’s park system, which consists of 157 parks spanning 2,087.22 acres. Park development, maintenance and improvement projects funded through your support of this millage are listed on the status tables, linked below. Also indicated on these tables are park improvements made possible through other funding sources, as specified.
Please also see more detail below regarding recent activities in our parks system.
Park Planning Capital Project Update
Park Planning Capital Project Update
November, 2011
Beckley Park
• Improvements include replacing the playground structure, adding more picnic tables and trees, replacing the pathway through the park and alongside Fairview Cemetery, and adding a bocce ball court. Construction is under way.
Buhr Park
• The entry road, pedestrian paths, and parking lots are being rebuilt and will include stormwater improvements. A public meeting was held in August to discuss concepts. The Concept Plan is attached.
Gallup Park
• A conceptual design for renovation of the approach to the livery, an expanded patio, and barrier free docks is complete. A grant application was submitted for this project. We should be notified of results in November/December, 2011.
• A grant from the MDNR was awarded to do preliminary engineering to renovate the boat launch.
Hunt Park
• Access steps are being constructed along Daniel Street next to the retaining wall.
Island Park
• Restoration of the Greek Revival Shelter will begin winter 2012. The concrete bridge will be restored in spring 2012.
Leslie Science and Nature Center
• A pedestrian circulation master plan is being developed to improve the pathway system, comply with the ADA, and decrease impervious surfaces. This project will include a new path to the raptor enclosures.
Placid Way Park Renovations to the park will include playground replacement, park furniture and landscaping.
Riverside Park
• The entry pathway, park road from Wall Street and parking lot will be improved to create better separation between pedestrians and vehicles and to replace the deteriorated asphalt.The parking lot will be relocated out of the floodway. A Concept Plan is attached.
Skate Park
• A grant application was submitted for design and construction of a Skate Park in Veterans Memorial Park. Result notification should be late November/December.
Veterans Memorial Park Ice Arena
• Reconstruction of the tennis courts is complete.
• Construction of a solar shade structure on the pool deck is being funded by a grant from the Energy Office. The pool locker rooms renovations are complete. The concrete plaza adjacent to the ice arena (north of the existing entry plaza) was converted to a rain garden to accept water from the arena roof. The project is being handled by Systems Planning and the County Water Resources Commission and being funded through the State Revolving Loan Fund.
• A barrier free entry walk was completed to connect the sidewalk on Jackson Ave to the facility entry.
West Park
• Major renovation of the park is complete, including stormwater improvements, pathway construction, seat walls at the bandshell, basketball court replacement, parking lot renovations and landscaping. The remainder of the planting has been completed. There have been several issues with the underground storm system that was constructed as part of the renovation project. These are being addressed and will be resolved next construction season.
• The tennis court are being rebuilt. Work began Fall, 2011, however, because of the number of rain days, the project completion will be spring, 2012. The historic pergola as well as the planting and sitting area on Miller Ave is being renovated. Work will take place winter/spring 2012.
Winewood Thaler Park
• Renovations are underway, and will include a new play area, reconstructed half basketball court, benches, landscaping, walks, and sand play area.