West Park Band Shell Update
We apologize for the closure of the West Park Bandshell that occurred this past summer. During the routine inspections, we noticed cracking in the foundation of the structure. The city hired Hubbell, Roth and Clark, to perform analysis of the structure and suggest possible repairs. The report was released, which was shared with the Park Advisory Commission at the October 2021 meeting. The report is available to the public and can be viewed here (PDF).
As the report mentions, the bandshell has a foundation that is no longer safe for use and will need repairs. The needed repair does provide our community the chance to look at the bandshell and envision ideas for the future. Prior to any potential moves, staff will be reaching out for public feedback and input. It is crucial for us to know clearly what our community wants to see happen.
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation will begin outreach this summer. When engagement starts, we will be providing updates on this page, via the weekly e-newsletter and on social media. It will be important for us to hear from the community, and we will make every effort to get the word out on opportunities for participation.
Any questions or comments can be sent to Adam Fercho, Park Planner/Landscape Architect at [email protected] or 734.794.6230 ext.42549.
South Maple Tennis Courts
The tennis courts at South Maple Park will be undergoing improvements over the next year. We were anticipating reconstruction of the existing courts thus summer, however as were beginning work, we found an existing site condition that necessitated relocation of the courts. Parks will be reaching out to the community in the coming weeks to discuss the project and ask for your feedback on potential new locations. We are sorry for the delay in the project, but are excited at the future improvement coming to South Maple Park.
Any questions or comments can be sent to Adam Fercho, Park Planner/Landscape Architect at [email protected] or 734.794.6230 ext.42549.
Buhr Park Ice Arena improvement project
An info session was held Tuesday, Feb. 22 on the Buhr Park Ice Arena Improvement Project. The scope of the work includes mechanical system upgrades and accessibility upgrades. If you did not have a chance to attend the session you can view the presentation here. Planned improvements include replacing the outdated chiller unit and making accessibility upgrades. Parks has applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund the project. If you have any questions, please contact Adam Fercho, Park Planner & Landscape Architect at [email protected].
Ann Arbor PROS Plan 2 023-2027
The 2023-2027 Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan was adopted by City Council on Jan. 9, 2023. To view and read the plan:
2023-27 PROS Plan approved plan, 15 MB (PDF)
2023-27 PROS Plan approved plan, 40MB (PDF)
The PROS Plan is the City's vision for parks and recreation in Ann Arbor. The Plan:
- provides an list of existing parks and facilities
- describes the relationship between
- the park and recreation system
- surrounding municipalities
- recreation providers
- identifies park and recreation needs
- proposes major capital improvements for existing and new parks
- fosters assessment of major issues and problems
- sets priorities for the next five years
- sets goals and objectives that reach further into the future
The plan provides background information while charting system needs that may qualify for state and federal grant funding. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requires that those applying for recreation grants have a current plan on file. It is also required by MDNR to update that plan every five years.
Allemendinger Park playground project meeting
Staff shared initial designs during an online public meeting on March 7, 2023. A copy of the presentation is available below and the recording of the meeting. If you have questions about this project, please contact Hillary Hanzel, Park Planner at [email protected] or call 734.794.6230 ext.42548.
Buhr Park Ice Arena improvement project
An info session was held Tuesday, Feb. 22 on the Buhr Park Ice Arena Improvement Project. The scope of the work includes mechanical system upgrades and accessibility upgrades. If you did not have a chance to attend the session you can view the presentation here. Planned improvements include replacing the outdated chiller unit and making accessibility upgrades. Parks has applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund the project. If you have any questions, please contact Adam Fercho, Park Planner & Landscape Architect at [email protected].
Provide input on new pavilion at Leslie Park
The Community Action Network (CAN) has donated a pavilion for use at Leslie Park. Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation staff studied three options for placement and asked for your feedback. Based on feedback, and further analysis, the pavilion will be placed just south of the basketball court. Rainwater from the pavilion will be collected to be used for the Food Forest at Leslie Park. We are currently in the process of putting together a bid package, and anticipate construction happening this fall.
Thank you everyone for your feedback in this process. If you have any questions, please contact Adam Fercho, Park Planner & Landscape Architect at [email protected]. The image below is the selected option.
Barton/Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel
A pedestrian tunnel beneath the MDOT railroad by Bandemer Park is being designed. The City of Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative are partnering to design this tunnel. This tunnel would connect the Border to Border Trail from Bandemer Park to Barton Nature Area and Huron River Drive. The Border to Border Trail would also be extended through Barton Nature Area with a new paved pathway connection. Design engineering is underway for the project and expected to continue through 2023. A timeline for construction is not yet available but we think it could begin sometime in 2024-2025.
If you have questions about this project, please contact Hillary Hanzel, Park Planner at [email protected] or call 734.794.6230 ext.42548.
Gallup Park Bridge Replacement
Design is underway for replacement of the Gallup Park vehicle bridge. The community selected this project to receive funding from the city's allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. Construction could begin as early as Fall of 2023 or Spring of 2024.
The new bridge will be west of the current bridge and will maintain a single vehicle lane. It will expand the bridge sidewalks from 5' to 10' wide on each side to improve access for pedestrians and non-motorized transportation. It will also include an improved Border to Border Trail crossing of the park road to allow for better visibility.
In 2020, a design study explored:
- options for the replacement bridge design
- cohesive design solutions for
- the adjacent segments of park road
- the Border to Border Trail
Community feedback was used to inform project goals and design criteria in the design process. The community also provided input on design options, which was used to refine the final design. The schematic design study report is available below.
Dr. Harold J. Lockett Park Playground Improvements
Thank you to those who provided feedback and participated in our community engagement efforts regarding the playground improvements at Dr. Harold J. Lockett Park. We heard that there was both a desire to include natural play elements, as well as changing out some of the equipment for older children. Based on your feedback, we modified the plans to try and accommodate the desired uses. Construction is anticipated to begin September of 2023. To view the plan, please click here:
For questions or comments about the project, please contact Adam Fercho at [email protected], or by calling 734.794.6230 ext. 42549.
Second public meeting hosted for ADA project
Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation is currently in the process of creating an (Americans with Disabilities Act) ADA Transition Plan to help guide us in making A2 Parks accessible for all. This study has involved assessing all park facilities, parks, and nature areas to get an understanding of where barriers existing in the park system, so that we can better address them. In addition, all of our Programs, Services, and Activities (PSA's) are being studied to see how we can make improvements to ensure inclusion for all. Throughout this process staff has been able to participate in accessibility training so that we can better serve the community.
Thank you to everyone that provided feedback throughout our ADA Transition Plan process thus far. There have been multiple public meetings, a survey, and a pin-map to help us better identify needs when it comes to accessibility in our parks. We greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received, helping us craft a transition plan that will better serve our community.
For more information on the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation ADA Transition Plan, please visit our accessibility website:
Updates on the ADA Transition Plan will be posted here, in our weekly e-newsletter, and on social media. If there are any questions about the ADA Transition Plan, please contact Adam Fercho, Park Planner at [email protected].
