Burns Park

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Overview

Burns Park is a 15 acre park located just south of central Ann Arbor, with plenty of outdoor opportunities for everyone! View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map​ for location context. The Ann Arbor Senior Center is located within the park at the southeast corner. The park has a perimeter of shady trees with many amenities: baseball/softball, basketball, racquet sports, fields for soccer or football, playgrounds, an enclosed shelter, picnic tables, water fountains, and restrooms. There are 3 tennis courts and 2 dedicated pickleball courts. With its large field, it hosts many Ann Arbor Rec and Ed sporting events. ​

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

Amenities​

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Playground

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Restrooms

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Basketball Court

 

Grills

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Picnic Tables​​

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Baseball and Softball Fields​

 

Tennis Court​

 

Pickleball Court​


Trash & Recycling​

 

Petanque Court​

 

Sledding Hill

 

Warming Hut

 

Bike Rack​​​

 

Parking​​​




 
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Access and Parking

There is a parking lot by the Ann Arbor Senior Center with 4 designated handicapped spots and 25+ standard spots. There is limited parking by the Warming Hut loop off Wells Street. Additional street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Refer to posted signage regarding parking rules and restrictions.​​​

Burns Park is accessible on foot and by bike. Wells Street​, Baldwin Avenue, Granger Avenue​, and Olivia Avenue which enclose the park all have sidewalks but no dedicated bike lanes. 

Near​​by city parks include Crary Park​ and Postman's Rest Park​​, both​ about a 10-15 minute walk to the northeast. Eberbach Cultural Arts Building​ is a short walk to the west of Burns​. 

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Public Transportation

There are two bus stops at the intersection of Packard Street and Granger Avenue, within a 5 minute walk from the park. Visit TheRide for schedule and route details or check out the parks ride guide. ​

History​​​

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

In the late 1800's, the land that now comprises Burns Park was hom​e to a ½ mile horse track, hosted by the Ann ​Arbor Driving Club until 1920. The oval of elm trees were planted on the horse track to provide shade to visitors.  From 1890 - 1910, the area hosted the County fairgrounds and the trolley car barns. The trolley system's car barns for the Ann Arbor Street Railway were located between Lincoln and Olivia Streets from 1894 - 1925. A 'spectacular' fire destroyed the car barns, contributing to the end of the trolley era, already jeopardized by the increased number of automobiles.

Burns Park was purchased in 1910 and named after Botany professor George Burns, who pioneered the Ann Arbor Parks System as well as Nichols Arboretum. The Warming Hut is located in the approximate spot of an 1800's log cabin; as it started to disintegrate, it was dismantled, and parts were saved by the city. 

In 1921, the four acres of land on the western edge of the park were sold to the Ann Arbor Public schools.  Construction on Tappan Junior High School began in 1923. The first students started here on February 2, 1925. In 1951 the historic building was rededicated to Burns Park Elementary School as Tappan moved into their new location on East Stadium Boulevard.​​​

Recent Developments

In 2020, the city began plans to renovate the Burns Park tennis courts and a public survey was hosted to gather feedback from the community. The survey results indicated that the community favored incorporating two designated pickleball courts. It was resurfaced in fall 2021, including three tennis courts and two designated pickleball courts.

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Helpin​g your parks

Help Ann Arbor parks stay beautiful and welcoming to residents and visitors

Volunteering Opportunities

Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in your community! Whether you're interested in gardening, trail maintenance, event planning, or education, we have opportunities to fit your skills and interests.

Learn more about volunteering

Gifts & Donations

Looking for a way to give back to your local park? Consider making a gift or donation! Your generosity can help support maintenance and improvements to park facilities, as well as educational programs and community events.

Donate today

A2Fix It Mobile App

A2 Fix It allows users to upload a photo with each request, as a visual reference to help staff quickly locate the problem. It is also helpful for requests to be as detailed as possible.