Apply to work in the Ann Arbor parks
Looking for a fun summer job where you can earn money and add skills to your resume? Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation has a wide variety of job openings including cashiers, lifeguards, swim instructors and coaches, day camp counselors, ranger and turf specialists at the golf courses and canoe livery attendants. Go online to apply today.
Skate outdoors while you can at Buhr Park Ice Arena
This is the last weekend to skate at Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena. Come out for sticks and pucks Friday, March 22 from 4-5:45 p.m. and Saturday, March 23, 5-6:15 p.m. Visit the website for the full weekend schedule. You can continue skating at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena after this weekend.
More time to skate this week at Veterans Memorial Indoor Ice Arena
Staff have added additional open skating and *sticks & pucks sessions to the calendar this week. Visit the website for the full calendar.
*Each Sticks & Pucks session is limited to 40 skaters, all ages. Skates, sticks and helmets are required for anyone on the ice. The rink supplies rental skates, nets and pucks. USA Hockey’s full equipment guidelines recommended.
Drop-in weekly for Past Masters Hockey. This drop-in opportunity is for ages 55+ held Thursday mornings from 9:30-10:50 a.m. Full equipment is required. Cost is $10 for skaters. Goalies play free.
Lend a hand and volunteer in the Ann Arbor parks
Spring is here, and GIVE 365 has plenty of opportunities to volunteer! The Spring 2024 issue of the GIVE Gazette has news, updates and information about upcoming events!
Keep an eye on the GIVE 365 website to see or register for all upcoming events. You can also register in our volunteer database to receive the GIVE Gazette and email updates about our upcoming opportunities and to learn about some of our current projects! All experience levels are welcome. All tools and supplies are provided at the events. Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. View details for some upcoming events and sign up below.
- Love a Park Day at Broadway Park – Wednesday, March 27
- Join at this beautiful park, home to one of the city’s three dog parks, to pick up litter and cut non-native invasive brush.
- Tree Pruning Workday at Huron Highlands Park – Friday, March 29
- Have you ever wondered what it might be like to have fruit trees? Would you like to get some experience practicing pruning before getting your own? This is the workday for you! Huron Highlands has apple, peach, and nectarine trees in need of some pruning to encourage healthy growth and bring fruiting branches to within reach. We will provide tools and music, bring any and all fruit tree questions you may have.
- Bike Park Workday at Tuebingen Park – Sunday, March 31
- Join GIVE 365 staff and volunteers in working on Tuebingen Bike Park! We will be doing trail maintenance work with hand tools (shovels, clippers, etc.). We will provide the tools, guidance about each task, and some background music. Check out the event description for more details.
- Invasive Removal Workday at Island Park – Friday, April 5
- Join GIVE 365 to help remove non-native invasive species to keep Island Park healthy and prepare for shoreline restoration project.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to volunteer@a2gov.org with any questions about volunteer opportunities in the parks.
Spring is in Bloom at Ann Arbor Farmers Market
On Saturday, March 23 the market will be open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at 315 Detroit Street. Our vendors will have early spring flowers, fresh greens, maple syrup, apples and apple cider, root vegetables, mushrooms, microgreens, farm fresh eggs, pastured meat and poultry, honey, cheese, bread, baked goods, houseplants, beverages, Polish food, Mediterranean food, prepared food and artisan wares! We accept cash, and tokens for credit/debit card, mobile payment, and SNAP/EBT are available at our market office window. Enjoy free parking in the market lot as available. Service animals are welcome. Accessible restrooms are available. More information at our website.
Food truck Vegano Italiano will be serving breakfast and lunch, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Food truck Tacos El Mariachi Loco will be serving lunch, noon-3
Learn to swim classes available
Swimming is a great life skill to have and Mack Indoor Pool is the place to learn. Sign up for private lessons in April and May. Go online to view the full schedule and register. We hope to see you at the pool.
Skateboard art auction fundraiser
Thursday, March 28, 7-10 p.m. Don’t miss the show and auction of commissioned works using skateboard decks as canvases from more than 20 artists hosted by Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark. Live electronica music by Kaito Ian. Cash bar. Proceeds benefit the youth-oriented programming of the nonprofit that manages the City of Ann Arbor skatepark located in Veterans Memorial Park.
Located at Zingerman’s Greyline, 100 N. Ashley St. Visit a2skatepark.org. Free admission.
Solo aging storytelling workshops
Fridays, April 5, 12, and 19, 1-2:30 p.m. Are you aging solo? Do you have a story or two to write, share and tell? Then join us and be part of Limelight’s Storytelling Workshops for Solo Agers and help us, help you craft and tell your solo aging story. These workshops are held at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Go online. The stories will lead up to Solo Acts: A Solo Aging Symposium and Theatrical Performance May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library. It is recommended, but not required, to attend all workshop sessions. Preregistration for the workshop at the Senior Center is required at 734.794.6250. Free of charge.
Cell Phones 101: Start with the basics for Android and i-Phone
Thursdays, April 18-May 23, 2-3 p.m. (No class on May 2). Presented by Clear Computing. This five-week course will start at the very beginning and teach you how to get the most out of your Android or iPhone. James Giordani earned his master’s in social work at the University of Michigan focusing on older adult tech literacy; learning and discovering ways to use technology to better the quality of living and extend the independence of older adults. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 13320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required by contacting 734.480.8362 or alli@clearcomputing.net. Cost is $60 (paid at first class to Clear Computing. Cash, check, credit card, Venmo, or PayPal accepted). Scholarships are available by contacting Alli (you must obtain the scholarship prior to the first class).
The art and science of invasive species series
Fridays, April 26, May 3 and 10, 1-3 p.m. Join our friend Eleva Potter, Natural Area Preservation Environmental Educator, for this new, three-part series! Eleva will help us learn how to identify common invasive species, cook with them, and turn them into beautiful art! Each session will focus on a different topic: Session 1: Become familiar with the four most common invasive plants you can find in Ann Arbor City Parks, learn which ones are edible, and try some easy dishes you can make out of them. Come hungry because you will be taste testing these recipes; Session 2: Learn more about invasive forbs and how to turn them into different colors of paper; Session 3: Collect woody invasives the creating an Earth Loom by weaving invasives together between trees, that will be open to the public to enjoy. Go online. Preregistration required by calling 734.794.6250. Free of charge.
Lunch & Learn: Brain health
Tuesday, April 16, noon-1 p.m. Elizabeth Shafer will introduce the Healthy Brain Initiative from the CDC, which discusses how to maintain and promote a healthy brain and which chronic conditions and modifiable risk factors can increase the risk for conditions, such as cognitive decline and dementia. These risk factors include traumatic brain injury, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking, poor sleep quality, depression, and hearing loss. Light lunch served. Space is limited. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Go online. Preregistration required by contacting 734.794.6250 or bpatton@a2gov.org. Free of charge.
Spring eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.–noon hosted by Leslie Science and Nature Center. Join us for an EGGcellent morning of discovery as you investigate the many animals that lay eggs! Hit the trails in search of clues, meet wildlife up close in the Critter House, create a craft, and more! The egg-themed scavenger hunt will be self-guided and run during the whole event, so arrive any time. Located at LSNC, 1831 Traver Rd. Contact 734.997.1553. Cost is $7 (children under 2, free).
Critter House open hours
Sunday, March 31, noon–3 p.m. Hosted by Leslie Science and Nature Center. Observe frogs, turtles, snakes, and more as they hop, crawl and slither in their habitats! The Critter House is the home to many species native to the region. It’s a great way to get up close and personal with some fascinating animals, all while developing an appreciation for the incredible diversity of the natural world. Located at LSNC, 1831 Traver Rd. Contact 734.997.1553. Free (suggested donation of $5/person)
Project Grow: Tips and techniques I – Planning your garden
Tuesday, March 26, 7-9 p.m. Presented by Project Grow. Class held via Zoom. Ages 18+. This class is the first of two classes geared toward helping new gardeners at two critical stages of gardening: planning and planting your garden. Its focus is on getting you ready for the opening of the garden season, so that you know what you are going to plant and have plans for where, how and when to plant them. Start planning now, while the ground is still frozen and garden chores are not demanding your attention, so you can create the thriving, productive and beautiful garden that you hope and plan for. The class will be taught by long-time Project Grow gardener, Marcella Trautmann. Click here to register. Contact 734.996.3169 or info@projectgrowgardens.org. Cost is $5.
Project Grow: Introducing the Ecosystem Organic Gardening (EOG) Initiative
Thursday, April 4, 7-9 p.m. Presented by Project Grow. Class held via Zoom. Ages 18+. Ecosystem Gardening and Organic Gardening are two distinct approaches to gardening, each with its own principles and practices. Organic Gardening focuses on cultivating plants without the use of synthetic chemicals, prioritizing natural and sustainable practices. Ecosystem Gardening focuses on creating and nurturing a thriving and sustainable ecosystem within the garden. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of plants, animals, and the environment. Let us combine the principles and practices of the two approaches into one gardening journey, in planning and in practice, to create a hopeful strategy for an abundant, nutrition-rich and a joyful, earth-healing gardening outcome. Hence the course title, Ecosystem Organic Gardening (EOG). The class will be taught by Joet Reoma with Marcella Trautmann. Click here to register. Contact 734.996.3169 or info@projectgrowgardens.org. Free
