News Article

Archived News Release: June 23, 2016 - ​(***Updated June 30, 2016)  City of Ann Arbor municipal offices, including the Customer Service Center at Larcom City Hall and the 15th Judicial District Court at the Ann Arbor Justice Center, will be closed for Independence Day, Monday, July 4. Safety services and water utility operations will maintain 24-hour schedules.

Trash/recycli​ng/compost

There will be no trash, recycling or compost collection in the City of Ann Arbor on Monday, July 4. The Monday pickups will occur on Tuesday, and the rest of the collections will occur one day later throughout the week. The normal Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, July 9. Commercial customers with weekly Saturday service through the city franchise with Waste Management will receive Saturday pickups without delays.

Recycle Ann Arbor's Drop-off Station at 2950 E. Ellsworth Road will be closed on Monday, July 4. The Drop-off Station is normally open weekly on Mondays 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. until Aug. 29, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information on the city's solid waste services, please visit a2gov.org/recycle.

Firewo​rks

There are important reminders to heed for those planning to celebrate the holiday with fireworks. While the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act broadens the selection of fireworks available for home/amateur use statewide, it is important to know, there are still usage parameters per City of Ann Arbor ordinance (Section 9:266 of Chapter 115 Weapons and Explosives of Title IX).  

In the city of Ann Arbor, fireworks usage is permitted only during certain timeframes and only around national holidays. The timeframe guidelines for the Independence Day holiday are:

• Use is prohibited prior to July 3 and after July 5. 

• Use is only permitted from 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5 with the following restrictions:

• Use is always prohibited on public property (as outlined in the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, Section 28.462 ), including parks, school property, church property or the property of another person unless the person using the fireworks has the expressed permission of the property owner.

• Use is always prohibited for persons under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

• Prohibitions apply to "consumer fireworks," which are "fireworks devices that are designed to produce visible effects by combustion," such as roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and missile-type rockets. 

• Prohibitions do not apply to ground and handheld sparkling devices.

***The Ann Arbor Fire Department notes that, this year, there are increased dangers of using fireworks due to the very dry conditions we are experiencing. If you still plan to use fireworks:

• Keep a ready source of water available. A connected hose is best, but a fire extinguisher or bucket of water will work, too.
  
• Wet down an ignition area at least 30 feet in diameter for ground fireworks. That way if sparks do hit the ground, the chance of a spark igniting a fire will be minimal.
  
• Light fireworks on a paved surface such as concrete or asphalt. If a hard surface is not available, select a dirt area without grass or vegetation. Keep fireworks away from any wooded or grassy areas.​
  
• Keep an eye out for smoldering fires in the grass or shrubs for 30 minutes after the display is completed.  If in doubt, CALL 911.​
  

Please be mindful of sensitivities of other residents, pets and neighbors as well. Veterans and military-support organizations emphasize that fireworks can be particularly troublesome for military and veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder. If you choose to use fireworks, please adhere to the ordinance, but please also use common courtesies, such as:​

• Informing neighbors in advance of your fireworks plans.
• Limiting the frequency of your use during those acceptable usage hours.
• Cleaning up all debris resulting from your fireworks use (see disposal tip below).

Please note the following safety guidelines, as well, from Ann Arbor police and fire departments:

• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.
• After a fireworks display, never pick up fireworks right away that may be left over, as they may still be active. Fully soak used/dud fireworks in water, and dispose of in the trash, not in recycling.
• The risk of fireworks injury is more than twice as high for children ages 10–14 as for the general population. Children should never participate in setting off fireworks, and they should remain a safe distance way from where fireworks are being set off.
• Sparklers may seem harmless, but the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. That is hot enough to cause third-degree burns.
• Additional safety guidelines (PDF) are available on the Ann Arbor Fire Department web page, or visit the National Fire Protection Agency website.  

For more information about the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, which took effect statewide in 2012, see the frequently asked questions (PDF) on the State of Michigan website.

Pa​​​rks

Looking for something fun to do around town Independence Day/weekend? Swim in the city's outdoor pools at Buhr and Fuller parks and ***Veterans Memorial Park Pool, which has just opened, and with lots of specials planned, just in time for the holiday weekend!​ The Ann Arbor Skatepark at Veterans Memorial Park and the canoe liveries at Argo and Gallup are all open on Independence Day. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is open Saturday the 2nd — the perfect spot to pick up fresh, local holiday picnic ingredients. And don't forget about golf. Play a round at Huron Hills or Leslie Park golf courses; or even give FootGolf a try, 4 p.m. at Huron Hills Golf Course. Bring your own soccer ball or rent one for $5. It's fun for all ages, and no experience is necessary.

For details about these and the many other Ann Arbor parks and recreation events and programs, visit www.a2gov.org/parks. ​

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