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Sylvan Park

3670 Margaret Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734.794.6230

Overview

Sylvan Park is a 12 acre park, including 5 acres of oak-hickory forest, located at the southeast corner of Ann Arbor near Washtenaw Avenue and US-23. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. Yost Boulevard divides the park into two parcels. All of the activities and walking trails are located on the east parcel. There is a park map and landfill waste bin located at the Margaret Drive park entrance. A paved walking path leads to a tennis court and playground space with two benches. Further south an open field is present between homes and Swift Run Creek. The paved path ends at a wooden bridge taking you over Swift Run Creek. An natural foot path leads into Sylvan Woods. Before reaching the path through Sylvan woods, a picnic hill provides two picnic areas with a picnic table and charcoal grill. Sylvan Park provides the mix of open park space and natural areas, all in the midst of neighborhoods and highway exchanges. To read more about Sylan Park, view the Natural Area Preservation feature article from 2018, Park Focus: Sylvan Park by Chris Robey.

Park Notices

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.

Park Hours

6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Amenities

Unpaved Trail

Playground

Grills

Picnic Tables

Tennis Court

Trash & Recycling

Access and Parking

Street parking is available at the entrance on Margaret Drive. There are also access points into the park off of Eli Drive (street parking) and Burton Road (street parking). The southern portion of the park property that follows the Swift Run creek does not have designated access points. The southern portion can be accessed by following the creek.

Using a phone?

Open the Park Finder

Public Transportation

There are AATA bus stops on both sides of Washtenaw avenue that provide access to Sylvan Park. Traveling Eastbound the (Washtenaw + Pittsfield) stop is a 7 minute walk. Traveling Westbound the (Washtenaw + Pittsfield) is a 9 minute walk. Check out TheRide Guide for more details.

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 June 1960, the City of Ann Arbor Development Committee approved the plats of Pittsfield Hills Subdivision. At the same time, the city accepted the outlots A, B, and D (3 acres) for park and playground. 1.07 additional acres were added in 1961.

In 1970, Ann Arbor reached an agreement to purchase the Sylvan Woods area in the Forest Brooke subdivision for $25,000. Due to the significance of its preservation, residents of the Sylvan Woods area pledged $10,461 towards the purchase price.

Helping your parks

Help Ann Arbor parks stay beautiful and welcoming to residents and visitors

Volunteering Opportunities

Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in your community! Whether you're interested in gardening, trail maintenance, event planning, or education, we have opportunities to fit your skills and interests.

Learn more about volunteering

Gifts & Donations

Looking for a way to give back to your local park? Consider making a gift or donation! Your generosity can help support maintenance and improvements to park facilities, as well as educational programs and community events.

Donate today

A2Fix It Mobile App

A2 Fix It allows users to upload a photo with each request, as a visual reference to help staff quickly locate the problem. It is also helpful for requests to be as detailed as possible.