Park Address: 1300 Baldwin Ave, Ann Arbor MI 48104
Hours and Rules
Open 6 a.m.-midnight with quiet hours beginning at 10 p.m. Refer to Chapter 39 of the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for park regulations and rules. Contact park rentals for policies and rules related to rentals and special uses and always refer to posted park signage in the park. Smoking is prohibited, alcohol is prohibited, and dogs must be on leash.
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.
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.
Nearby 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.
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 The Ride for schedule and route details or check out the parks ride guide.
Using a phone? - Click for a GPS Tracker and Wayfinding Map
Amenities
- Baseball/ softball fields
- Tennis courts (3)
- Pickleball courts (2)
- Pétanque court
- Basketball court
- Sledding Hill
- Ann Arbor Senior Center
- Playground with structure and swings
- Warming hut
- Grills
- Picnic tables and benches
- Bike rack
- Landill and recycling receptacles, view parks recycling
- Stormwater management features including raingardens and wet meadows
- Restrooms
- During the winter, Burns has a pick-up location for a sand/salt mixture to help treat sidewalks (available to city residents, typically starting in late November)
Volunteer
There are many opportunities for volunteering and getting engaged with the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Unit. GIVE 365 and the seasonal Adopt-a-Park Program offer volunteer opportunities ranging from a 90-minute commitment to a more long term ongoing role. If you are feeling the call to volunteer or give some time, reach out or explore the websites above to see what’s upcoming or how to get involved.
Report a Problem - A2 Fix It
To report any maintenance issues or other problem during your park visit, please report through A2Fix It. Keep in mind that parks are large spaces and A2 Fix It requests can be difficult to find without detailed information. When reporting an issue in a park please include location details. There is a details and description section near the end of the request process to help you provide this. In addition, users can utilize the pin (website) or X (mobile app) feature to provide specific location information inside the park. Finally, please consider including a wide angle photo or include background landmarks, which helps staff find and fix the problem.
Gifts and Donations
Information on donating to the parks and the Guide to Giving can be found here. Alternatively if you have a special project or park improvement idea that you want to donate your time and energy toward, a great place to start is through Adopt-a-Park and the proposing a special park project guide. For information on donating a tree through Adopt-a-Park, the tree donation guide can help you get started.
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 about the early history of the land here.
In the late 1800's, the land that now comprises Burns Park was home 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.
Neighborhood Children Enjoy The Opening Of The Burns Park Wading Pool, July 1944
Ice Skating at Burns Park, 1947 Skaters Play "Crack the Whip" at Burns ParkIce Rink, 1954
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.
Updated January 2023. Email [email protected] for incorrect/outdated information.
