Leslie Park

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Overview

Leslie Park is a large 38-acre park located off Dhu Varren Road, tucked between neighborhoods on the city's north side. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature ​Areas map​ for location context. The park contains two play areas, one tennis court, six dedicated pickleball courts, basketball courts, softball fields, a sledding hill with a great view over the golf course, picnic tables, benches and open fields. There is ample parking and a portable restroom in the summer. An accessible asphalt walking/biking path connects all of the activities. Trails connect Leslie Park to Black Pond Woods.​

During the winter, the paved trails receive maintenance. ​Leslie Park is also a pick-up spot for a salt/sand mixture to help residents treat sidewalks.

Food Forest Project: Video captures feedback from online meeting​

An online informational meeting about the Leslie Park Food Forest Project took place on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020.  The Food Forest is being proposed by a citizen coalition interested in advancing food security and sustainability solutions. At this meeting, participants were encouraged to ask questions and share thoughts on the proposed project. A video of the meeting can be viewed on YouTube.

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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Open Fields

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Pickleball Courts

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Restroom

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Basketball Courts

 

Grill

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Picnic Tables​​

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Baseball and Softball Fields

 

Tennis Court​

 

Trash & Recycling​

 

Paved Trails​

 

Unpaved Trails​

 

Sledding Hill


 
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Access and Parking

There are several dirt parking lots in the park, near all of the activities.

The park is accessible on foot and bicycle. The park is accessible by walking and biking through the connected neighborhoods. There are bike lanes along nearby Dhu Varren Road and Pontiac Trail.

The park has trails connecting it to Black Pond Woods Nature Area.

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Public Transportation

The nearest bus stop to the Leslie Park Circle entrance on the north side of the park is less than a five minute walk from the park. There is a bus stop ​immediately adjacent to the trail entrance off of Pontiac Trail. 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 property once known as the Hagen Farm was bought by the City of Ann Arbor from ​​Eugene and Emily Leslie in 1963. Eugene was a chemist, professor, and inventor. Totaling about 207 acres, this land is now home to Leslie Park, the Leslie Park Golf Course, the Leslie Science and Nature Center, Leslie Woods Nature Area and more.​ This property was the largest ever purchased by the city for park and recreational purposes.

​Steve Gilzow of the Ann Arbor Observer wrote about the Leslies and their generosity:

"E.H. and Emily Leslie both died in 1976. They had already given their home to the city, retaining a life lease, and had sold the farm for annual payments of $15,000. They forgave the remaining debt in their wills, and left a half-million-dollar trust fund that more than covered the past payments. It was one of the most generous gifts the city has ever received. The farm became Leslie Golf Course, Leslie Park, and Leslie Woods. The Traver Rd. property opened to the public in 1986 as the Leslie Science Center.​"

Read the whole article here.​ 

Read historical articles courtesy of the AADL about Eugene and Emily Leslie and their contributions here.​


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.