Furstenberg Nature Area

Overview​

Furstenberg Nature Area​​ is a 38 acre park on Fuller Road just west of Gallup Park. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. Most of the park’s border lies along the Huron River. The park contains wetlands, woodlands, prairie, and oak savanna. A half-mile paved trail loops through the park. A granular trail goes through the prairie and woods, connecting to 1/4 mile of wetland boardwalk which connects to the western edge of Gallup Park. Since the mid 90's, Natural Area Preservation staff and volunteers have been caring for the land by doing controlled burns and invasive shrub removal. Burning is a restoration practice that was first used at Furstenberg in 1996.  

One of the best activities to do within Furstenberg is to watch wildlife. The system of trails winding through the park hold benches and viewing points, great for viewing wildlife​. The swaying cattails of Furstenberg’s marsh offer a chorus of animal sounds. Several frog species call here in the evenings from spring through early summer. First Spring Peepers appear, then American Toads, then Gray Treefrogs, and finally Green Frogs in the late summer. During the day, Red-winged blackbirds make their famous “konk-la-ree” song, an indicator of the spring. Along the Huron River, there are more observation opportunities. The rare Trumpeter Swan will take a breather here in winter before making its way to the surrounding area to nest in the spring. Painted turtles, after a long winter snooze, will begin to sun themselves during the first balmy days at Furstenberg. Wildlife is abundant and exciting at this park. ​​

A brochure leads the visitor through a series of numbered posts explaining the natural ecosystems.