Newport Creek Nature Area

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Overview​

Newport Creek Nature Area is a small one-acre wooded nature area in the far northwest of Ann Arbor, just west of Newport Road and north of M-14. View the Ann Arbor Parks & Nature Areas Map​ for location context.

Occasionally, visitors may encounter a city park with no trails– as is the case at Newport Creek Nature Area. These natural areas represent a unique recreation and conservation feature of the city’s park system. In these relatively few spaces across the city, off-trail exploration is encouraged– a rare opportunity to meander through a wild space in our urban context. Visitors are also invited to reflect on the conservation value and biodiversity of these spaces, where the Parks & Recreation’s Natural Area Preservation staff work to steward, restore and inventory the natural communities throughout the city’s parks.​

Newport Creek Nature Area contains a variety of small animals, birds and flowers. It is undergoing restoration efforts by the staff and volunteers of the Natural Area Preservation Program to remove non-native invasive plants. Not far from Newport Creek are Skyline High School, Bird Hill​s Nature Area, Riverwood Nature Area, and White Oak Park​.​

Park Notices

Unless otherwise posted per City Council resolution, when a park is closed, no person shall remain in or enter it other than to quietly sit or walk.​

Refer to Chapter 39 of the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for park regulations and rules.

Park Hours

6 a.m. – Midnight​


 
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Access and Parking

There is street parking along Newport Creek Drive and Timber Trail.

There are sidewalks in the neighborhood but nearby Newport Road has no sidewalks or bike lanes. There are no bike racks at the park.

Public Transportation

The nearest bus stop​​ is on Newport Road at Newport Creek Drive, less than a 3 minute walk from the park.​ Visit TheRide for closes​t stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide. ​​​​​


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History​​​

Ann Arbor's city parks sit on the ancestral and traditional homelands​ of several indigenous Native peoples. Read a land acknowledgement​​ from the city and learn more a​bout the early history of the land here.​​

The land for Newport Creek Nature Area and Riverwood Nature Area were dedicated to the City of Ann Arbor by the neighborhood's developer as part of the development agreement which was signed in 1998, as the area was being developed. New housing developments had a requirement that a certain area had to be dedicated as public parkland. The installation of a sign in the park was also part of this agreement.

Read a NAP Newsletter which includes a small park focus on Newport Creek:

2021 Park Focus: Newport Creek Nature Area by Hannah Bradshaw​



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Volunteer in the parks

Looking to make an impact in a park or nature area? Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation provides volunteer opportunities for almost every interest, ability, and commitment level.

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A2 Fix It

A2Fix It - Service request tool

A2 Fix It is an online system you can use to report any maintenance issues or other problems during your park visit. When reporting an issue in a park please include detailed location information in the "details and description" section near the end of the request process. Pictures that provide location context are very helpful.

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