Park Address: 2118 Columbia Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Hours and Rules
Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 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. Smoking is prohibited, bicycles are prohibited, and dogs must be on leash.
Overview
Molin Nature Area is a 7-acre nature area located just south of central Ann Arbor, between Packard Road and East Stadium Boulevard. View the Ann Arbor Parks & Nature Areas Map for location context. Molin Nature Area
is very long and narrow with backyards flanking both
sides. Houses are visible throughout the hike through
the park, but having this
nature corridor in the
neighborhood is a well-loved feature. One of the greatest rewards of a hike through Molin is
reaching the furthest point of the trail and admiring
the magnificent Bur oak residing there. It truly is an
impressive display and well worth a trip to explore the
nature area.
Access and Parking
There is limited parking available at the intersection of Powell Avenue and Colombia Avenue, near the trailhead entrance at the north end of the nature area. Additional street parking can be found in the surrounding neighborhood. Refer to posted signage regarding parking rules and restrictions.
The park is accessible on foot and by bike using the surrounding neighborhood streets. There are no bike racks at the park. Packard Road to the south has dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks.
Nearby city parks include Buhr Park directly to the east, Rose Park across Packard Rd. to the southeast, and The Ponds Park to the northwest.
Public Transit: The closest bus stop at Packard Rd. and Stone School Road is about a 10-15 minute walk from Molin Nature Area. Visit The Ride for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide.
Using a phone? - Click for a GPS Tracker and Wayfinding Map
Amenities
Volunteer
There are ongoing and limitless opportunities for volunteering and getting engaged with the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Unit. Natural Area Preservation has volunteer opportunities that support their mission to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic within the community. If you are feeling the call to volunteer or give some time, reach out or explore the website 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. 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. For special projects ideas in natural areas, Natural Area Preservation staff will guide you and provide project guidelines unique to natural areas.
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.
Molin Nature Area was at one point being looked at by
developers interested in
building single-family homes, but in 1978
the neighborhood
recognized that it was the
last remaining bit of
nature in their
neighborhood; a push
to help the City purchase
the land to secure it as
public land began.
It took many years, but
the Kimberly Colony
Neighborhood Association (KCNA) was successful. In
1989, the 7.2 acre stretch of nature was originally
dedicated as the Kimberly Colony Nature Park. It was
the first park land acquired through a park acquisition
millage which was active from 1988 – 1992, with the
neighborhood raising the matching funds required. The
park was then rededicated as Molin Nature Area in
1996 in memory of Peg Molin who was a member of,
and later chaired, the Ann Arbor Park Advisory
Commission from 1981 – 1990.
In 1996, friends and family of Peg Molin proposed renaming the Kimberly-Colony Nature Area in honor of Peg Molin. In accordance with the park naming policy a petition was circulated throughout the neighborhood surrounding Kimberly-Colony Nature Area with the result that the majority of the neighborhood supported the renaming. The Mayor and City Council approved the renaming on August 5, 1996. Peg Molin was chair of the Park Advisory Commission in 1988 when the Kimberly-Colony Nature Area was purchased with funds contributed by the neighborhood; the purchase was one of the first expenditures from the Park Acquisition Millage. The boulder and bronze plaque in memoriam of Peg Molin was installed in early 1997.
The Molin/ Morris Award was created in 1996 and inspired by Leslie Morris and Peg Molin. This award is annually presented by the Park Advisory Commission and the Ann Arbor Department of Parks and Recreation. The award recognizes an individual for outstanding volunteer contributions to the City of Ann Arbor Parks and recreation system and the community which have resulted in an enhanced quality of life and improved environment for all.
Park Focus: Molin Nature Area by Sara E. Jackson, 2012
Park Stewards
Park Stewards are experienced volunteers who have adopted a nature area to protect and restore while fostering an environmental ethic among others. Stewards are committed to ongoing and long-term care of their park. They work with NAP to develop an annual work plan that outlines restoration goals and techniques for their natural area.
Updated November 2022. Email [email protected] for incorrect/outdated information.
