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Redbud Nature Area

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​​​​​​​Park Address: 2380 Parkwood Ave, Ann Arbor MI 48104​​​

Access           Amenities           History

Hours and Rules

Open 6 a.m.-midnight with quiet hours beginning at 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, ​and dogs must be on leash.​

​Overview

​​​​​Redbud Nature Area is a 5.11-acre nature area along Malletts Creek, south of Washtenaw Avenue and east of Platt Road. View the Ann Arbor Parks and​ Nature Areas map​ for location context.  Originally an unnamed plot, it was purchased by the City of Ann Arbor in 2000. The motivation was to protect the 5-acre site because it was the last remaining undeveloped and unprotected parcel of land along Mallett's Creek. When Natural Area Preservation staff began conducting a plant inventory of the parcel, staff were excited to discover that it had over 120 native plant species, a stunning display of trout lily, and the largest stand of redbud trees (Cercis c​anadensis) in any of the city's nature areas. ​ In the spring there are carpets of bloodroot, wild ginger and skunk cabbage. There are trails through the park.​​

​Access Points and Parking

There is street parking along Parkwood Avenue, which forms the eastern edge of the park.

The park entrance can be reached on foot by walking through the neighborhood and on bike by riding through the neighborhood streets.

Public Transportation: There are bus stops on Washtenaw Avenue about a half mile from the park. The nearest stop is less than a 10 minute walk. 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

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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​. 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​​. 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 acknow​ledgement​ from the city and learn more about the early history of the land here​.​​

The plot of land that became Redbud Nature Area was purchased by the city in 2000. It was the last undeveloped and unprotected piece of land along Mallett's Creek. Natural Area Preservation (NAP) staff discovered a large stand of redbud trees, the largest in any of the city's nature areas, which ended up becoming the namesake of the park. NAP now actively protects and restores the area. View NAP newsletters highlighting Redbud right after it became a park: 2001 Redbud Nature Area: The People Plant Connection and 2013 Redbud Nature Area: Reminiscing and Restoring​, by Sara E. Jackson.


Updated October 2022. Email [email protected]​ for incorrect/outdated information. ​​​​​​