Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Plan process launches with community needs assessment and public survey

The City of Ann Arbor is beginning the process to reimagine the Parks & Recreation Plan, partnering with Agency Landscape + Planning. Over the course of nearly two years, a robust community engagement process will help residents, stakeholders and city leaders shape a shared vision and strategic plan for the future of Ann Arbor parks, recreation programs and open spaces.

The Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Plan will evaluate the existing system amenities, resources and program offerings and look to envision future offerings while balancing community desires, current needs and aging infrastructure. This plan is an important tool to help the city prioritize future improvements, pursue grant funding opportunities and ensure parks continue to meet the evolving needs of residents and visitors. Through analysis and public input, the city will identify opportunities to improve the park system and recreational programs, while preserving the qualities that make it essential community infrastructure.

Community input is central to this planning process and will help shape the future of Ann Arbor's park system. Over the summer, the project team met residents at community events and in parks across the city to hear their ideas. Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation will continue to host opportunities for community input, including focus groups, open houses, an online survey (open to everyone now through Dec. 15, 2026, details below) and a statistically valid survey of a representative sample of residents. For more information, visit the plan's engagement webpage, https://engage.a2gov.org/parkplan, where event dates will be posted as they're confirmed.

Randomly selected households to receive Ann Arbor Community Needs Assessment survey packets

Beginning this month, randomly selected Ann Arbor households will receive in the mail the 2026 City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Community Needs Assessment Survey. The survey is designed to help the city better understand how residents currently use the parks and recreation system, identify barriers to participation, measure satisfaction with existing services and establish priorities for future facilities, programs, improvements and investments. Market research firm, ETC Institute, is administering the survey on the city’s behalf and will provide results and analysis after the survey closes Nov. 1. 

A random sampling of residential households will aid in developing statistically valid findings that accurately represent the Ann Arbor community. Residents who receive a survey packet are strongly encouraged to participate. The mailed survey can be completed and returned using the enclosed postage-paid envelope, completed online or completed by telephone, as detailed in the packet.

The survey should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and individual responses will remain confidential.

ETC Institute specializes in statistically valid research for local governments and parks and recreation agencies and has conducted community research for public agencies throughout the United States including Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw County and Huron-Clinton Metroparks in recent years. The city is using the research firm to help ensure the survey is administered objectively and that the findings provide reliable information to support future planning and decision-making.

All Ann Arbor residents are encouraged to provide input and opinions

While a random sample of households has been selected to receive the official mailed survey, the city wants to hear from all Ann Arbor residents. Residents who do not receive a survey packet are invited to participate through the city's open survey, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JFBXDSF. This survey is slightly shorter and is designed to identify the aspects of the park system that matter most to residents. 

Administering both the random sample and open-community surveys as separate groups allows the city to receive statistically valid results to understand communitywide priorities alongside broader feedback from parkgoers sharing their experiences, ideas and priorities. Results from the two groups will be appropriately identified and analyzed so the city can consider both representative findings and broader community input.

Both surveys cover a wide range of topics, including the condition and use of city parks and recreation facilities, trails and natural areas, barriers to participation, recreation programs and activities, communication preferences, unmet facility and program needs, potential system improvements, funding priorities and the overall value residents receive from Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation.

Additional information about the surveys and the upcoming opportunities for broader community participation will be available on the plan’s engagement webpage and posted on parks communication channels.

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Contacts: 

Hillary Hanzel, Landscape Architect Capital Project Manager, 734.794.6239 | hhanzel@a2gov.org

Statistically valid survey inquiries: Ryan Murray, Project Manager, ETC Institute, 913.254.4598 | ryan.murray@etcinstitute.com