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Gallup Bridge Community Orchard West Park Bandshell

First PROS Plan webinar hosted June 29

The City of Ann Arbor is updating the Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan to identify goals, needs, trends and priorities for the next five years and beyond. Thank you to everyone that joined staff for the first Zoom webinar, Wednesday, June 29. To view the meeting click here(Passcode: r#Z.3qTR ). Additional meetings are planned and will be posted here and on social media.

“Community input is very important to defining the priorities that will guide the future of park planning and development. The PROS Plan survey provides an opportunity for the community to voice their opinions and share their ideas for the future," said Park Planner and Landscape Architect Hillary Hanzel.

Updating the PROS Plan helps to facilitate community discussion and evaluation of topics of importance and current issues. Public meetings, in addition to the completion of a recent online survey, are another way for the community to participate during the PROS plan process.

The PROS plan also plays an important role in qualifying for state and federal grant funding. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requires that all municipalities applying for recreation grants have a current plan on file with the MDNR and to update that plan every five years.

To view and read the plan, please click here. If you have any questions or comments about the PROS plan update, please contact Hillary Hanzel, Park Planner and Landscape Architect, [email protected].

Trail closures expected during Barton/Bird Hills project

Short-term construction is scheduled for Barton Nature Area and Bird Hills Nature Area as part of the Barton Pump Station Valve Improvement Project. Work will last approximately one to two weeks in early June and is expected to require intermittent trail closures. During active construction, trails within Bird Hills trail and a portion of the trail adjacent to the Barton Pump Station will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Closure and detour signage will be posted. After working hours, all open excavations will be fenced off and signage posted. Trails will only remain closed during off hours if there is an open excavation within the trail.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Schlanderer, PE, [email protected].
Barton PS Project - Impact Exhibit_REV.jpg

Gallup Park bridge replacement and road & trail renovation study

The Gallup Park bridge, road and trail design study explores options to reimagine the vehicular bridge which is due to be replaced. It also highlights cohesive design solutions for the adjacent segments of park road and the Border to Border Trail. Multiple engagement opportunities with the public and a steering committee (of City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County representatives) provided the project team guidance throughout the design process. Community feedback was used to develop project goals and design criteria to guide the design process. The community also provided input on design alternatives which was used to refine the final recommended design. The schematic design study report is available below. The area around the park entrance is currently being studied as a result of this plan.

Schematic design study report

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Hillary Hanzel, Park Planner and Landscape Architect, [email protected].

Community Orchard Proposal 2021

A resident group from the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations A2ZERO Ambassadors program proposed to plant seven fruit trees in Arbor Oaks Park in spring 2022 - including two peach, three pear and two paw paws (paw paws are a native North American tree and their fruits have a unique, tropical flavor). To learn more about this project visit the Abor Oaks Park website.

Renaming Winchell Park

A proposal, initially brought forth by residents to rename Winchell Park, has been approved by Ann Arbor City Council. The Ann Arbor parks Park Naming Subcommittee recommended it at their October 2021 meeting, followed by the Park Advisory Commission (PAC) in December. A dedication ceremony will take place early summer 2022 to celebrate Dr. Harold Lockett.

Lockett, was born in Delaware in 1924 and served on the Ann Arbor School Board from 1965-1971. He was a child psychiatrist and University of Michigan assistant professor. In addition to his work with the University of Michigan Medical Center, he worked for the state department of mental health. He died in 1994 at the age of 70.

West Park Band Shell Update

We apologize for the closure of the West Park Bandshell that occurred this past summer. During our routine inspections, we noticed cracking taking place in the foundation of the structure. We hired a consultant, Hubbell, Roth and Clark, to perform a structural analysis of the structure and make recommendations on possible repairs. The report was released this month, which we have shared with the Park Advisory Commission at the October 2021 meeting. The report is available to the public and can be viewed here.

As the report mentions, the bandshell has a foundation that is no longer considered safe for use and will need to be repaired. The needed repair does provide us, as a community, the opportunity to look at the bandshell and envision what the future could be. Prior to any potential moves, we will be reaching out for public feedback and input. It is important for us to have a clear understanding of what our community wants to see happen. The Parks and Recreation Department will begin planning an engagement strategy, and look forward to hearing from you over the coming year.

Any questions or comments can be directed to Adam Fercho, Park Planner/Landscape Architect at [email protected] or 734.794.6230 ext.42549.

Bandemer Park/Barton Nature Area Pedestrian Connection Update

A public meeting by the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission was held Wednesday, Dec. 2 about the proposed pedestrian tunnel beneath the railroad by Bandemer Park. If you have additional feedback before staff move onto the next steps on this project, please contact Adam Fercho, Park Planner at [email protected] or call 734.794.6230 ext.42549.

View the presentation.
Watch the public meeting.
Review the meeting summary.
Review the feasibility report.

Gallup Park Vehicle Bridge, Park Road and Trail Online Public Meeting Held Nov. 12

The vehicle bridge at Gallup Park has been identified for replacement and public input was sought for how Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation could improve the bridge and adjacent segments of the park road and the Border-to-Border trail. The scope of this project is limited to the area outlined in red on this aerial image below.

Update: The final report for the Gallup Park Vehicle Bridge, Park Road, and Trail is currently being prepared. Once complete, the project will be shared on the Park Planning webpage. It is expected to be complete by the end of Summer 2021.

View the presentation.
Watch the public meeting.

Gallup Park Vehicle Bridge meeting summary.

Gallup Park Project Area-Website.jpg

Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) Plan 2016-2020

The 2016-2020 PROS Plan was adopted by City Council on Jan. 17, 2017. To view and read the plan, please click FINAL 2016-2020 PROS PLAN.pdf (15MB).

The PROS Plan is the City’s vision for parks and recreation in Ann Arbor. The Plan provides an inventory of existing parks and facilities; describes the relationship between the park and recreation system, surrounding municipalities, and recreation providers; identifies park and recreation needs and deficiencies; and proposes major capital improvements for existing and new parks.

The 2016-2020 Plan facilitates discussion and evaluation of major issues, problems and potentials, sets priorities for the next five years, and identifies goals and objectives that reach further into the future. The plan establishes background information while delineating system needs that may qualify for state and federal grant funding. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requires that all municipalities applying for recreation grants have a current plan on file with the MDNR and to update that plan every five year.

Public Engagement Process

• A public hearing was held Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Park Advisory Commission Meeting to be held in City Council chambers, 301 East Huron St. 2nd floor.

• Parks and Recreation received 1034 responses to the online survey. A survey summary was posted in February 2016.

• A public meeting was held on Wednesday, March 23 at the Ann Arbor Senior Center.

To view the PROS plan click below:
PROS Plan 2016.pdf (7MB PDF)
PROS_Plan_Final_2011_2015.pdf

PROS_SURVEY_WEB_2015.pdf
PROS Plan Mtg Minutes 3-23-16.docx

Parks and Recreation