Park Address: 375 Packard St, Ann Arbor MI 48104
Hours and Rules
Overview
Hanover Square Park is a half acre in size and is the oldest park in the city. This park plaza is located at the intersection of Packard and South Division on the edge of downtown and the University of Michigan's campus. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. Hanover Square Park is a great little park for getting some shade on a hot summer day when walking or biking in downtown Ann Arbor near the University of Michigan buildings on the western part of Central Campus.
Several large linden trees grace the park, along with more recently planted serviceberry trees and landscape planting beds. A large circular brick raised flowerbed prominently faces the Packard and Division intersection. Grassy areas combine with wide paved walking areas. Park benches offer seating, a small bike rack is provided, and a trash bin is available.
A sculpture entitled "Arbor Sapientiae," meaning 'Arbor Wisdom/Understanding', stands near the edge of the broad walkway diagonally crossing the park. This sculpture speaks to the university's education role melding with the city's support of the arts.
Access and Parking
There is no parking lot at the park, but there is metered street parking on Division Street and other nearby streets.
The park is accessible on foot and bicycle by walking and biking along downtown streets. Packard Street and Division Street each have bike lanes, as do many streets in the downtown area. There is one bike loop at the park to secure bikes to.
Public Transportation: There is a nearby bus stop on Thompson Street, about a five minute walk away. The park is also about a five minute walk from the Blake Transit Center. Visit The Ride for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide.
Amenities
- Benches, view asset map for amenity locations
- "Arbor Sapientae" sculpture
- Short paved path with winter maintenance
- Landfill receptacle
- Single bike loop
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
When is a square really a triangle? When it's Hanover Square Park in Ann Arbor morphing through time! This small but distinctive triangular park -our oldest park in Ann Arbor-was true to its name when first created (between 1824 and 1836) as the square park where Packard Street at that time came to an end. The dedication of the land for use as a public park didn't officially take place until 1859. In 1925, a portion of the land was deeded to the Board of Education (for a property exchange), as the W.S. Perry school for girls that was adjacent to the park had already been using that portion, and these circumstances redrew and contracted the park's boundaties, turning its larger square into the current triangle.
Hanover Square in 1964
The park originally had play equipment and was used primarily as a children's playground until 1968, when the play equipment was removed, and it took shape as the grassy park with paved walks that it is today. The "Arbor Sapientiae" sculpture, created by Ronald Bauer, was installed at a different site in 1979, moved into storage, and then relocated to Hanover Square in 1984. The plaque at the sculpture was installed in 1986 with help from the artist.
Read a more detailed history of the park here.
Updated October 2021. Email [email protected] for incorrect/outdated information.
