Fall has arrived at Ann Arbor Farmers Market
We are open Saturdays and Wednesdays 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. You’ll find apples, pears, grapes, pumpkins and gourds, mums, raspberries, blackberries, winter squash, peppers, tomatoes, root vegetables, watermelons, nectarines, plums, sweet corn, beans, zucchini, salad mix, leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, microgreens, mushrooms, herbs and much more. Our farmers will also have cut flowers, house plants, perennials, honey, maple syrup, eggs, pastured meat and poultry, cheese and Lake Superior fish. Our producers will have bread, pastries, gluten free and allergen free baked goods, jam, pickles, spices, hot sauce, salsa, olive oil, juice, chocolate, coffee, tea, and mead. Our artisans will have body care products, candles, cards, jewelry, ceramics, clothing, gifts and more! We accept cash, and tokens for credit cards, mobile payment, and SNAP/EBT are available at our market office window. Participating farms also accept Prescription for Health, WIC Project Fresh, and Senior Project Fresh coupons. Service animals are welcome. Accessible restrooms are available. More information at our website
* Saturday, Sept. 30
Rite Spice Kitchen will be serving lunch, 11 a.m.-sold out.
Tacos El Mariachi Loco Food Truck will be serving lunch, noon-3 p.m.
* Wednesday, Oct. 4
Vegano Italiano Food Truck will be serving lunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Your input is valuable: South Maple Park game courts project
There is a need to relocate the existing tennis and pickleball courts at South Maple Park. Feedback is being sought on the new location within the park. Additional aspects of the project include improving accessibility and expansion of the existing parking lot. You can watch a video about the project, visit the project website here and then you’re encouraged to complete a brief survey. Thank you.
Stewardship Workdays on Saturday, Sept. 30
Fall is a great season to explore Ann Arbor’s natural areas! Join us to enjoy the fall colors while removing invasive plants, which will allow more native plant species to become established.
Volunteers will use hand tools to cut small-to-medium shrubs. Workday sites have unpaved trails and require going off-trail. Register through VolunteerHub so NAP can plan on enough staff and supplies for a safe and successful event. For your safety, wear long pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes. All minors should be accompanied by a guardian. More information: How to prepare for a NAP workday (PDF).
* 9 a.m.-noon, Ruthven Nature Area, register: http://nap.a2gov.org/Ruthven093023
* 1-4 p.m., Huron Parkway Nature Area, register: http://nap.a2gov.org/HuronParkway093023
Upcoming volunteer events in Ann Arbor’s parks
Join GIVE 365 for a volunteer stewardship event in the parks this fall! It’s a great time be outside and enjoy the crisp air and beauty of the changing fall colors. Projects include gardening, bike park maintenance, playground surfacing, litter pickups and more. All experience levels are welcome. All tools and supplies provided. View event details for upcoming events and sign up below.
- Bike Park Workday, Bandemer Park, Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-noon
- Love a Park Day, Southeast Area Park, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 1-3 p.m.
- Love a Park Day, Ward Park, Thursday, Oct 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Bike Park Workday, Bandemer Park, Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-noon
- Bike Park Workday, Bandemer Park, Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-noon
- Love a Park Day, Huron Highlands Park, Friday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-noon
Volunteers wanted for Trick or Treat on the River event
GIVE 365 is seeking volunteers for for this year’s Trick or Treat on the River event at Gallup Park, Sunday, Oct. 15, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers will be stationed around the Huron River in Gallup Park to hand out candy to canoe and kayak paddlers. Costumes and candy provided. There are two shifts and a lot of different stations to join in on the fun! Visit the Sign-up Genius page to register. Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with any questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.
Enjoy fall from the Huron River by canoe/kayak
Gallup Livery is open Wednesday-Sunday until Oct. 22 (weather dependent). Stillwater boating is available Wednesday-Sunday 10AM-5PM at Gallup. The 1.5 hour Argo to Gallup kayaking trip van leaves Gallup on the hour between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This trip includes the Argo Cascades. Dress accordingly and plan to get wet. All boating trips should begin at Gallup (Argo livery is closed for the season).
Mack Pool is now open for the 2023-24 season
Looking to extend your swim season? Visit the Mack Indoor Pool website for lessons and special events at the pool this year. If you have a child interested in swimming on a team, be sure to check out the new Octopods team, an inclusive team for swimmers ages 5-17. Must be able to swim one length of the pool, front crawl. The Octopods Swim Team will participate in the Southern Michigan Swim League (SMSL) which offers competition in dual meets along with a championship meet each session. Swimmers will have to commit to a fixed practice schedule below:
• Session 1, Sept. 25-Dec. 8
• Session 2, Jan. 8-March 22.
$200 resident; $250 nonresident per session. Sign up a sibling and get $25 off for the second, third and fourth swimmer in your household. Questions or would you like to talk to a coach? Contact Gayle Hurn ghurn@a2gov.org.
Grab your skates or rent them from us!
Veterans Memorial Park Indoor Ice Arena is now open. Enjoy skating lessons, basic hockey skills classes, open skating and more this season. Visit the Veterans Memorial Ice Area website for dates/times. 2150 Jackson Ave.
Whoa Silent Disco at Liberty Plaza
Mark your calendar for these upcoming Thursdays: Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 8-10 p.m. https://www.whoasilentdisco.com/events
Questions? Contact Jessica Black, Recreation Supervisor, Cobblestone Farm, Park Rentals & Special Events, City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation, 734.794.6230 ext. 0 or email jblack@a2gov.org
Senior Psychiatric care workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Assurance Health will provide valuable information regarding Senior Psychiatric Care. An opportunity for Q&A to follow at the end. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. RSVP by calling 734.794.6250. Free of charge.
Little Tiny Art Gallery grand opening
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join the Ann Arbor Senior Center and local artist Tom Doyle for the grand opening of our Little Tiny Art Gallery located just outside the Ann Arbor Senior Center’s front door! Enjoy Tom’s intricate watercolor and ink pieces titled “Memories of Monhegan” as well as treats and socializing. The exhibit will be on display through December 2023 and is available for viewing 24/7. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. If you are interested in displaying your work in the future in our Little Tiny Art Gallery, contact mfulton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.
Out & About A2
Thursday, Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m. Outdoor Painting. Join the Ann Arbor Senior Center for a once-a-month excursion in Ann Arbor! This month we will be enjoying the fall colors while creating a work of art outdoors. Please bring along your own art supplies. Whether you are new in town or an A2 Townie, there’s always something to explore! Meetups will include visits to museums, historical sites, area parks and more! Email mfulton@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6250 to register. Upon registration, participants will receive an email with meeting time and location details one day before the outing. Free for members; nonmembers, $2.
Travels with George: Route of the Maya
Thursday, Oct. 12, 1:30-4 p.m. Join the Ann Arbor Senior Center and world traveler George Jabol once a month as he takes us on a grand tour of his many breathtaking and fascinating world travels. A new country and adventure will be featured each month. In October, explore the fascinating beauty and history of Central America. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Please call 734.794.6250 or email mfulton@a2gov.org to register. Free of charge.
Project Grow 7th Annual Seed Share
Saturday, Oct. 7, 1-3:30 p.m. Fall is the time for gathering…native seeds! From 1-2 we will go on a seed collection hike throughout the prairies of County Farm Park and then from 2-3:30 we will return to the Medford Pavilion for a seed share. Everyone is welcome at the seed share! Bring your native seeds, bulbs, rhizomes, perennial plants, books, or garden tools. Heirloom garden seeds are also welcome. There are always extra seeds, so even if you don’t have anything to share, pick up some seeds and have a cup of tea at the campfire while you converse with like-minded people and learn more about the local native plant gardening and seed-saving community. Located at County Farm Park – Medford Rd. Pavilion (Medford Pavilion is on the west side of the park accessed by Medford Rd.). Visit projectgrowgardens.org for more information. Free admission.
Happy Howl-A-Ween Dog Park Party!
Thursday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m. Join the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department for a fun filled Halloween party for furry friends and those that love them. Enjoy a photo station, dog treats, local vendor booths, freebies, and the ever-popular dog costume contest! Prize awarded for most popular dog costume! Dogs need to be licensed and have a dog park permit to use the dog park, visit a2gov.org/doglicense for more information. Event is held at Olson Dog Park located at 1505 Dhu Varren Rd. Questions? Email mfulton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.
Kempf House Museum: Sunday Open House and Wednesday lectures
The Kempf House Museum (312 S. Division St. admission is free, donations are appreciated) is holding its last fall open house, Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-4 p.m. Guided tours are offered throughout the charming 1853 Greek Revival home of German-American musicians Reuben and Pauline Kempf. See Victorian period furnishings, including an 1877 Steinway piano, the first concert grand in Ann Arbor.
The next Wednesday noon lecture will be Wednesday, Oct. 4, with “Ralph Hammett, the architect who supervised the restoration of the Kempf House”: Margaret Leary, M.A., J.D., Librarian Emerita of the University of Michigan Law School and community volunteer will tell us about the architect who supervised the restoration of the Kempf House Museum in the mid-20th Century. He also designed Margaret’s own house as well as other houses around Ann Arbor. Seating is limited and will be first-come, first-serve.
Other Wednesday noon lectures will be:
Oct. 11: Stu Johnson, music enthusiast, will take us back to the days of “Over the Rainbow” and other music by Harold Arlen.
Oct. 18: Grace Shackman, local historian and author, will compare the history of Manchester and Saline.
If you can’t make it to the Sunday open house, tours by appointment are also available. Email kempfhousemuseum@gmail.com or call 734.994.4898 a few days ahead.
