Mushroom Park

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Overview

Mushroom Park​ is a lovely 1.5 acre neighborhood park between Waltham Drive and Saxon Street off of Scio Church Road in the southwest corner of the city. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map​ for location context. The park features a path through grassy green berms and trees including the city's second largest White Oak. The playground is nestled among the berms, and among them are a few small painted concrete mushrooms, the namesake of the park. The park also contains benches and picnic tables.

The paths in this park receive winter maintenance.

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. – Midnight

Amenities

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Paved Path

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Playground

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Picnic Tables​​



 
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Access and Parking

There are entrances on Waltham Drive and Saxon Street on the east and west sides of the park and there is street parking along both streets. Both entrances connect to neighborhood sidewalks and are connected by a paved path through the park.

The park is accessible by foot and bicycle using the neighborhood streets around the park. Nearby Scio Church Road has a sidewalk but no bike lakes.

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Public Transportation

The nearest bus stop ​​is only 300 feet from the park. ​​Visit TheRide for schedule and route details or check out the parks ride guide. ​​​​​​​

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 a​bout the early history of the land here.​​

The land for the park was acquired in 1961 from the developer of the surrounding subdivision. The park used to be known as Vernon Downs Playlot, after the name of the subdivision. In 1975, Girl Scout Troop #190 petitioned the city to rename the park to Mushroom Park. They were​ inspired by the ​concrete climbing structures in the park that were shaped like mushrooms, which were built in 1962. They argued that "Vernon Downs" was not a commonly used name and that children had already been calling it Mushroom Park. George Owers, the park system superintendent, recommended to Ann Arbor City Council that the name be changed. Council voted unanimously to approve changing the name to Mushroom Park. The mushrooms still stand in the park to this day, having been colorfully painted by neighborhood residents.​


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.

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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.

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